“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 NKJV
Paul Rader was born August 24, 1879 in Denver, Colorado. He was born again in 1888.
From 1899 to 1900, he attended the University of Colorado as a football player and boxer. He had no knowledge of the ministry of D.L. Moody.
D.L. Moody’s life and personal ministry ended in 1899. In 1900, the Chicago Bible Institute was renamed Moody Bible Institute.
Rader was called to pastor Moody Church in Chicago in 1914. Lance Latham, then a student at Moody Bible Institute, began attending Moody Church and serving as pianist. Rader and Latham formed an evangelistic team to tour for several months.
Rader wrote “Only Believe.” “Fear not, little flock, from the cross to the throne, from death into life He went for His own. All power in earth, all power above, is given to Him for the flock of His love. Only believe, only believe; all things are possible, only believe.”
A steel tent was erected in Chicago in 1922, to have meetings June 18 through Labor Day. Rader and the staff then established the Chicago Gospel Tabernacle as a permanent church.
In 1927, Clarence Jones on the Tabernacle music staff dedicated his life to foreign missions. Plans began and eventually resulted in Jones and Reuben Larson establishing radio station HCJB in Quito, Ecuador. The transmitter was placed on the stage of the Chicago Gospel Tabernacle to be dedicated before being shipped to South America.
Rader arranged for Billy Sunday to lead evangelistic meetings at the Tabernacle May 25-31, 1930.
Because of the success of the Chicago Gospel Tabernacle, 16 other Tabernacles were established. While Rader was preaching in the Los Angeles Tabernacle, Charles E. Fuller attended and was born again, and Paul Fleming dedicated his life to Christ. (he would later found New Tribes Mission).
At the 1932 missionary conference, “Paul Rader’s Pantry” was formed, providing canned food for the needy, feeding hundreds of families, including over 100,000 children.
Rader’s enthusiasm and drive to expand caused him to overextend financially. In 1938, he had to return to California and in late spring was hospitalized. Paul Rader died July 19. His funeral was held at Hollywood Presbyterian Church.
In 1979, the Chicago Gospel Tabernacle disbanded and transferred remaining assets to missionaries supported by the congregation and to Moody Bible Institute, establishing the “Chicago Gospel Tabernacle – Paul Rader” fund to provide education for inner city students.
Our all-knowing God arranges the timing and circumstances to connect “the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). The ultimate result is the furtherance of the Gospel.
God has a divine design and a significant destiny for every born-again believer.
Dave Breese, author of “Discover Your Destiny,” was introduced to Lance Latham‘s wife Virginia by his sisters. It was Virginia “Teach” Latham who personally presented the plan of salvation to teenager Dave Breese who listened, responded, was born again, and followed God’s leading for a lifetime.
The Latham’s had been involved on the Chicago Gospel Tabernacle staff, and had left to establish the Northside Gospel Center in 1933.
Dave Breese absorbed their teaching and was soon involved in sharing the gospel personally for the rest of his life.
Dave knew that my heart’s desire was to establish the Christian communication center somewhere along Highway 41, between Copper Harbor, Michigan and Miami, Florida – America’s longest North-South highway.
We prayed much to know and follow God’s direction, and one of my fondest memories is of sitting at our dining room table with Dave Breese as he looked out the window of the house God had miraculously provided, saying: “And now here we are, looking out on US Highway 41. God did it!”
In Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky counties, Fair Share is proclaiming the message: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ – on banners, bottles of cold water, and God’s ABCs of salvation. TTT Fair Share team members are sharing God’s Good News personally.
Since July 6, teams have gone with the Gospel to Gibson and Warrick Counties in Indiana; McLean County, Kentucky; and Lawrence, Richland, and White Counties in Illinois. Through July 21, hundreds have been impacted by the message, and 54 have responded to personally “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Fair Share is to continue through August 14, God willing, going to Knox County, Indiana; and Edwards and Wabash Counties in Illinois.
Saturday, August 15, a report rally at 7:27 PM at TTT will include complementary Papa John’s pizza and soft drinks.
The goal is to serve as ambassadors for Christ to help you and others be reconciled to God. It begins for you when you “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”