This Week in AG History -- July 31, 1926
In the July 31, 1926, issue of the Evangel, William M. Faux — the second director of Assemblies of God Missions, serving from 1923 to 1926 — reminded readers of the necessity not only of giving financially to missions but also of faithfully praying for those serving around the world.
Faux urged Pentecostal believers to recognize that a major part of their calling as a fellowship was to support missionaries — many of whom were laboring in distant lands under challenging and often harsh conditions. Throughout his reports, Faux structured his appeal around four key biblical phrases that traced the flow of the missionary call:
1. The cry from those in need of Christ: “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” (Acts 16:9)
2. The call from God in response: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:8)
3. The response from God’s people: “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)
4. The plea from those who are sent: “Brethren, pray for us!” (2 Thessalonians 3:1)
Having just returned from visiting missionaries in India, Egypt, Palestine, and Syria, Faux had seen firsthand the immense challenges faced by those who had answered God’s call. Many lacked adequate housing, reliable resources, and co-workers to help carry the burden. He challenged his readers to understand that meeting these needs required more than money or logistics — it required the earnest, united, and unceasing prayers of the church.
“This is but stating a basic principle,” Faux wrote. “I mean prayer unitedly and unceasingly offered to God. Let none fear the possibility of his own church praying for missions too much. It is not possible to do so.”
For early Assemblies of God missions leaders, prayer was not simply an add-on to missionary support — it was the foundation. It provided strength, courage, and resilience to those on the front lines. Faux called for every pastor to embody a missionary spirit both in heart and practice, and for every assembly to become wholehearted supporters of the global mission.
Now, 99 years after Faux’s plea was first printed in the Evangel, the need for prayer remains just as urgent. Assemblies of God missionaries still rely on the Spirit-led intercession of the church. Faux’s voice echoes across the decades:
“Pray, beloved, pray for missions. Are more workers needed? Yes. Praying is the secret of securing them. Are more funds needed? Yes. Prayer is the force that opens men's hearts to give to God their resources. Is greater spirituality needed? Yes, surely. Prayer is the agency that brings greater spirituality to the entire church (Matthew 9:38). Louder than the Macedonian cry ‘Come over and help us,’ which rang out to Paul, sounds the cry today, ‘Brethren, pray for us.’ Let the Scripture warning ring in our souls — ‘God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.’ Prayer is the greatest force that we can wield. It is the greatest talent which God has granted us. And this talent He has given to every Christian.”
Read the report, “Prayer for Missions,” on page 10 of the July 31, 1926, issue of The Pentecostal Evangel.
Also featured in this issue
• “Two Questions at Pentecost,” by E.S. Williams
• Report on “Glad Tidings Temple and Bible Institute”
• “Glorious Revival in Russia,” by J.E. Varonaeff
And many more!
Click here to read this issue now.
Pentecostal Evangel archived editions courtesy of the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center.