Gause Receives Hall of Prophets Honor; Building Re-Named
By Cameron Fisher
CLEVELAND, TENN.–Perhaps the most recognized name in Church of God religious education over the last 60 years is Dr. R. Hollis Gause. The veteran professor, administrator and preacher was honored on October 30, 2008 with placement in the prestigious Hall of Prophets, along with his late wife, Beulah, and naming of the “R. Hollis Gause Administration Building” at the Church of God Theological Seminary in Cleveland, Tenn.
Induction into the Hall of Prophets at the Seminary is reserved for those ministers whose service to God’s Kingdom has been meritorious. A candidate for the honor must have dedicated a significant portion of his or her life in ministry, be approved by the Seminary president and board, and be sponsored with a minimum $25,000 endowment scholarship.
Church officials, educators, former students, friends and family came to the Cross Chapel at the Seminary to honor Dr. Gause and the impact he has made on generations of ministers, pastors and church leaders.
“Today we are giving thanks for one of God’s choice servants,” stated Seminary President Dr. Steve Land. “God will be pleased as we honor one of our own.” Land opened the ceremony which featured comments from long-time friend Donald Gibson, musical selections by Virginia Horton, comments on behalf of the Seminary faculty, division of education, alumni and Lee University, where Gause served for more than 35 years.
Speaking on behalf of the Church of God, Assistant General Overseer David Griffis spoke from his own experience with Gause stating, “Hollis Gause taught rock solid truth that has stood the test of time…it is an honor to know that you are one of us.”
Although the ceremony focused on Gause’s induction into the Hall of Prophets, an additional honor was bestowed upon him by the seminary’s Board of Directors with the naming of the administration building in his honor. The administration wing is the original portion of the Seminary when it was built in the late 1970’s.
R. Hollis Gause joined the Church of God in 1936, and was ordained in 1954. Gause graduated from Emmanuel College in 1944, Presbyterian College in 1945, Columbia Theological Seminary in 1949 and earned his Ph.D. from Emory University in 1975.
Gause dedicated his life to ministry education, first at Lee College (University) as Instructor in Bible, 1947-53; Dean of Bible College division, 1953-68; Registrar and Dean of the Bible College division, 1957-60; Dean of the Division of Religion, 1968-74; Dean of the College, 1972-74; Professor of Bible, 1982-84; Department Chair, Department of Bible and Christian Ministries, 1983-84. He also served the Church of God Theological Seminary as Dean and Director, organizing the curriculum and opening the school as the Church of God Graduate School of Christian Ministries, 1975-78; Academic Dean, 1978-80; and Professor of New Testament and Theology, 1982-present. He pastored and served as district overseer in Warren, Mich. from 1980-82. Gause has been an invited speaker at camp meetings, revivals, convocations and seminars throughout the United States and other countries and provinces. He is extensively published in books, periodicals and scholarship journals. Gause was awarded the Distinguished Educator Award by the Church of God Department of Education, 1980; Lifetime Achievement Award by the Wesleyan Theological Society and the Society for Pentecostal Studies, Distinguished Faculty Award by the Seminary, 2000; and Parliamentarian Recognition by the Executive Committee in recognition of 40 years of service to the General Council and General Assembly, 2000.
He married Beulah Hunt in 1948. Beulah was his companion in all his ministerial efforts: teaching, administration, writing and the pastorate. She was the organizing sponsor for the Women’s Fellowship and Ministry Group at the Seminary. They were blessed with a son, Valdane Hollis and they have one grandchild and three great grandchildren.
(Cameron Fisher is Coordinator of Communications and Internet Ministries for the Church of God)
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Seminary President Steve Land, right, presents a plaque to Dr. R. Hollis Gause during the ceremony (photo courtesy of Olan St. John Photography) |
