COLORADO
The First Fifty Years
By Bishop William Byron Odom
Secretary of the Board of Elders
We are standing at the cross-roads of civilization. 'We are at the end of an era and approaching the gateway of another.
What does tomorrow hold for the world? Is there some great goal toward which the nations are marching? Or, are men only helpless atoms driven by the blind forces of circumstances? After all, the nations must realize there is a God that rules the universe and the hearts of men; one who shapes their destiny, Therefore, the only way in which men may escape God's wrath, which is being poured out upon this world, is to heed the Call of the Almighty.
However, we find a few anxious souls pursuing their journey through faith-endeavoring to find their daily spiritual food. Their souls were hungry and searching for a deeper experience to lead them on. They felt that the existing ecclesiastical structures, to keep them with spiritual life and obedience, had failed; and from time to time there were spiritual awakenings; and little groups met together in cottage meetings, and in tarrying and praying, in obedience to God's word, they found the Pentecostal experience: the baptism of the Holy Ghost, according to Acts 2:4, 10:44, 19:6. They were then forced to leave the established sectarian churches and form churches of their own. They, after which, became modern reformers in this time and the true spirit of reformation found historic continuity in their movement.
Therefore, the Church in Colorado had its beginning with these representative men and women whose names appear in this record. It is more than a mere compilation of dates, or an effort to get their names in print for mere publicity. It is more than statistics of the leaders who served', or a computation of the faithful and loyal members, each year. 'Rather, it is the history of a Church — something that is and will always remain unwritten. It is said that the children of the world are wiser than the children of light.
In this world we have records of battles being fought, territory being gained and lost; kings driven from their thrones and prisoners taken and led away captive. As a people of God, if we are soldiers of the cross and fighting in this spiritual warfare where our weapons are not carnal, but mightly through God, and the pulling down of strongholds, we should not hesitate to give a record of our labor when the victory has been achieved. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to note those who labor among us — these fearless men and women who sacrificed their substance and their lives to contribute to the building of the Church which we represent. We see their courage and vision have eventually had their effect on a large number of faithful souls who have made use of the Church for its inception. Its growth bespeaks the pioneering spirit of its leadership, as being piloted by our Senior Bishop C. H. Mason, its founder, and our present Overseer, Bishop Chester E. Morgan, who came to Colorado in 1918, with a beautiful, spirit-filled wife and three small children, founded and built the first Church of God in Christ in these parts. Also, Mother E. L. Jones, who with her daughter "Fay" preached out churches in the southern parts in the absence of men. Truly her labor and sacrifice have been great, and her name shall go down in history as one of the great women of this movement. And then there was Overseer J. E. Morris, our first Overseer, who, with his brother, added much to the development of the Church; Elder Dennit D. Burger, who established the first church in Denver; and Elder W. B. Odom, who established the second church in that city. He has only recently built a beautiful church edifice in that same city — a worthy commendation to the work of a young man who with his lovely wife, Cliza, (now deceased) meant much to the growth of Colorado. (This reference to Elder Odom is quoted by Bishop Morgan).
We have, also, Elder R.W. Campbell, who built our first new church edifice in Denver — a notable achievement for the work; Overseer G. E. Smith, the second Overseer of the State, who labored and sacrificed much to the growth of the State, who now has added a large church edifice (the largest church building in the State) to our growing list of churches. There is Elder L. J. Douglas, who built our second church in Pueblo. Colorado. He is also the Southern District Superintendent, a position he has held for over thirty-three years. He is also the oldest Y.P.W.W. President in the brotherhood — indeed an asset to our work here; and many, many more who labored and sacrificed their talent and time to our up-building, whose names are not mentioned here for lack of space. To these must be added Elder William Jones, the pastor at Walsenburg, Colorado, a true son in the Church; also Elder Budd Wills, another pioneer among' us; Elder James Dyes, our first State Evangelist, now gone to be with the Lord; Deacon Buck Green, a beautiful character and a man among men, who gave the Church much preference with Colorado Fuel and Iron Works and made it possible for the Overseers and State Mothers to have railroad passes on the major roads of the State.
The grand old Church of God in Christ in Colorado has grown from an infant to a giant, going forth to conquer and conquering in the name of the Captain of our Salvation, even our Lord Jesus Christ.
The state has 17 pastors 6 Elders without charge; 7 evangelist missionaries. Church property, $100,000.