G. W. Evans

G. W. Evans and his wife, May, were leaders in the Azusa Street Revival. The couple were part of the mission's inter-racial credentials committee. According to his wife's testimony, he was traveling in the "Lord's work" thirteen years before the Azusa revival began. It is not clear if this indicates he was a full-time minister or a faithful lay minister.

In August, May and G. W. participated in a missionary trip to Oakland. Other missionaries that joined them were Florence Crawford, Brother Johnson, Louise Condit and Bro. Manley. Manley was the leader of the Household of God work.

According to their testimony, "hundreds" were in the altar at Oakland. Many were saved, sanctified, healed and baptized in the Holy Ghost. One man was healed after having been paralyzed for eighteen years. The healing was witnessed by a physician. A minister was healed after eight years of suffering.

Perhaps the greatest testimony was from a practicing physician who was healed after being deaf for half his life. A portly fellow, weighing between three and four hundred pounds, the doctor was prayed for and he fell to the floor and was baptized in the Holy Ghost. (Apostolic Faith, September 1906)

While on the mission to Oakland, Evans had an unusual experience. He began to speak earnestly in verse. He spoke about salvation, happiness and eternal life for about five minutes and then fell backward to the floor. He was in an unconscious state for about ten minutes. When he awoke, we was oblivious to the fact he had quoted the poem and had never committed it to memory. While he was speaking, however, he saw a vision in the back of the church. Jesus stood in the midst of a large host of saints that included Peter, James, John, John Wesley and others. Evans had a similar vision about ten days later. Both times he said he felt "waves of spiritual power and glory coming from Jesus." (Apostolic Faith, November 1906).

In November, it was reported that Evans, his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Junk, Ophelia Wiley, Florence Crawford, and Lulu Miller were on a steamer headed for Oakland, Salem and Seattle.

If you have any further information on G.W. or May Evans, if you have additional photographs, or if you are a descendent, please contact us at info@azusastreet.org.

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