PAPERS IN HONOR OF NOEL BROOKS

A mosaic is a design created by many smaller pieces all uniting  in common purpose to convey the artistic image of the creator.  Only as one steps back to see the whole design does the meaning become clear.

"Mosaic"  is a collection of scholarly papers on a variety of topics in honor of a British born Wesleyan Pentecostal pastor, church leader, scholar, educator, and author.   Brooks was deeply committed to the merging of faith and intellect.  This collection honors that  by setting in place a few modest pieces of what is hoped will be a larger work uniting many in common purpose.  

Authors submitted for inclusion in this volume include Dr. Chris Green (Pentecostal Theological Seminary); Professor Rev. Ken L. Young (Southwestern Christian University);  Dr. Marvin J. Hudson, Pastor and Intensive Interim Ministry Specialist; Mrs. Irene Belyeu, Author (B.A.); Mrs. Marilyn A. Hudson, Author (M.L.I.S.).

This project is sponsored by The Friends of Noel Brooks.

NUGGETS FROM NOEL

In 1976, Brooks delivered the Baccalauete address to the graduates of Oklahoma City Southwestern College, now Southwestern Christian University.

British born scholar and church leader, the Rev. Noel Brooks, spoke to graduates of Oklahoma City Southwestern College (now SCU) on  May 16, 1976. The subject of his baccalaureate address was the life of Daniel (Daniel 1:1-8; 16-21).

"A Christian College is not a "degree mill" where academic standards can be charitably relaxed, or cheap accreditation offered.  A "Christian" College is not merely where  good academic degrees are earned. Rather it is a matrix where young people of Daniel's quality can be moudled and fashioned before being sent out to challenge the pagan culture outside.

I am not speaking exclusively of pastors, evangelists and missionaries. Daniel was not a priest or an official prophet. He was never ordained to the ministry or licensed to preach. He was a layman, a senator, a statesman, a politician in the best sense of the word. And he was a man of profound religious conviction, of strong moral and strong principles, who could not be bent by the world around him.  The grand purpose of a Christian College is to provide a mould in which men and women of Daniel's calibre can be trained for all professions and walks of life.

In order to do this a college must be more than a "Christian" in name. It is possible to have a name to live and yet be dead. A "Christian" College must practice "Christian" principles; it must have a "Christian" atmosphere; and it must have "Christian" leaders, teachers, and staff. Only then can a "Christian" imprint be indelibly stamped on the mind and character of the student body."

NUGGETS FROM NOEL

"Holiness" cannot be manufactured by man; it must be given by God; man can only receive it."

--Noel Brooks, 1914-2006

Pardon, Purity and Power: The Threefold Ministry of the Holy Spirit.

(Franklin Springs, GA: Advocate Press, 1969, pg.12)

Biblical Basis for Missions

As a young man, Noel Brooks read eagerly the biographies of 19th century and early 20th century missionaries.  As an adult he supported the work of the church to evangelize the world.  As a church leader he traveled to South America, Asia, Africa, and elsewhere visiting first hand with other cultures and the emergent churches there.  The Biblical Basis for Missions was  published in 1976 by Advocate Press, Franklin Springs, Georgia.