106-year-old pastor recalls history of Pentecostalism

The Florida Times-Union ^ | Saturday, Sep. 26, 2009 | Jeff Brumley

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The Pentecostal has been evangelizing for about 80 years.

Bishop Otis Clark began his life as a Pentecostal as a young man in the same place where that movement was born: the Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles.

The 106-year-old Seattle resident was in Jacksonville Friday to preach at a gathering of the Southeastern Azusa Revival Conference, an event paying homage to the early 20th-century revival and its leader, William Seymour.

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Seymour is credited by scholars for launching the Pentecostal movement, known for its emphasis on speaking in tongues, spiritual healing and other gifts of the spirit.

Clark said he became a member of the mission after the revival, but felt the power of the spirit among its members help propel him into an 80-year evangelism career that continues today on a limited basis. He took a few minutes to talk about Azusa Street, Pentecostalism and his secret to longevity.

How did you become associated with the Azusa Street Revival?

Brother Seymour had just died and I was picked up by some of his members, and I became a member of the mission. He had just died when I got saved.

Why was that event so important?

It was the beginning of the knowledge of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Before, they just baptized you in water.

What is baptism of the Holy Ghost?

The teaching of the apostles, and they taught it to the folks of the early church. It gives you more spiritual knowledge; it gives you more knowledge of the Bible, more knowledge of the Holy Ghost. It gives you the spiritual gifts.

How is one baptized in the Holy Ghost?

It's from the knowledge of the folks who are already baptized that way, and they pray for the new members to get the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

What will you preach about at the conference?

That's a complicated question. That depends on whatever God gives me. I have to follow the spirit.

What's the key to your longevity?

That's kind of spiritual. I guess that's God's doing. God gives you the knowledge and power to serve him.