History Philadelphia Biblical University is the result of the merger of two Bible schools: the Bible Institute of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia School of the Bible. On July 8, 1913, W. W. Rugh founded the National Bible Institute of Philadelphia. After teaching public school in his earlier days, Rugh spent several years walking a circuit to teach Bible classes throughout eastern Read more...

The Founding Family John Brown Sr., John Brown Jr. and John Brown III   A 17-year-old young man stooped over a rock with a sledge hammer, the pounding reverberating in his ears. From the time he was 11 years old, family circumstances had forced him to work, leaving his education behind. One rainy spring evening, the youth stopped to eat Read more...

Inscription First Baptist Church of Mineral Wells, organized in 1882, grew out of an early revival. William Evander Penn, known as the “Texas Evangelist,” conducted worship services in Palo Pinto County in 1882, and with 54 charter members he established the Mineral Wells Church. It would go on to host additional noted evangelists such as Billy Sunday, Mordecai Ham, Hyman Read more...

Inscription The Trammel Fork Church was founded in 1802 with seventy members. Elder John Hightower was first pastor. This church was instrumental in constituting ten area churches. The first meeting house was a log structure; church now occupies its third building, erected in 1909. Trammel Fork Missionary Baptist Church – Mordecai Ham ordained by church, April 1, 1843, and preached Read more...

Our Story In 1917, the ministries of your Evansville Rescue Mission commenced under the vision and leadership of its co-founders, Dr. Ernest “Pappy” Reveal and his wife, Mrs. Edna Reveal. Originally on Main Street and near the corner of First Street in downtown Evansville, your local Mission was transferred to larger quarters on Second Street for 15 years where Dr. and Read more...

Camp Reveal The History In 1917 Ernest “Pappy” Reveal moved from Charleston to Evansville, Indiana and founded the Evansville Rescue Mission to serve and evangelize to men, women and children in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. Just ten years later in 1927 he purchased 105 acres of land north of Evansville for $1 and established Camp Reveal.  The land included a Read more...

Inscription The beginning of this congregation can be traced to 1843, when the Rev. James Graham organized the First Methodist Church in the area. It later took the name Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Meanwhile, another congregation, Lamar Avenue Methodist Church, was formed. After the destructive Paris fire of 1916, the two churches decided to form one central downtown congregation, Read more...

Daniel Paul Rader  “Paul Rader was one of the most powerful preachers of his day … he was the most fantastic storyteller and could use illustrations in messages that … I’ve never heard.” (Wheaton College)   The Life and Legacy of Daniel Paul Rader Daniel Paul Rader—often simply known as Paul Rader—was one of the most dynamic and influential Christian Read more...

William Edward Biederwolf  “His scholarship was broad; his use of the English language was concise, accurate, and powerful; his sympathies were deep; his heart was warm …” (Hannah S. Bowers)   The Life and Legacy of William Biederwolf William Edward Biederwolf stands among the notable evangelists of the early twentieth century, remembered for his clear gospel preaching, his patriotic spirit, Read more...

Thomas Theodore “T. T.” Martin  “We have fallen upon an evil day. … We have trusted in material wealth … and all have failed to give us the bliss for which we yearn. … The principles of the great Teacher … will bring us to real prosperity.” (Thomas Theodore “T. T.” Martin)   The Life and Legacy of Thomas Theodore Read more...

Melvin Ernest Trotter  “Mel Trotter believed the old saying, ‘saved to serve.’ … His mission work provided shelter to the homeless, clothing to the poor, and food to the hungry. But primarily his ministry provided people the gospel of Jesus Christ.” (David Oliver)   The Life and Legacy of Melvin Ernest Trotter Melvin Ernest Trotter stands among the most compelling Read more...

Henry Clay Morrison  “I regard H. C. Morrison the greatest pulpit orator on the American continent.” (William Jennings Bryan)   Henry Clay Morrison: A Voice of Revival and Holiness Henry Clay Morrison (1857–1942) was one of the most significant leaders in the American holiness movement—a preacher, editor, educator, and revivalist whose influence shaped Methodism and helped birth the modern Wesleyan-Holiness Read more...

Reuben “Uncle Bud” Robinson “I’m a happy Christian. I’m so full of the love of Jesus that I feel like I could swing out over hell on a cornstalk and spit in the devil’s eye.” (Reuben “Uncle Bud” Robinson)   Reuben “Uncle Bud” Robinson: The Country Evangelist Who Set Hearts on Fire Reuben Archer “Uncle Bud” Robinson (1860–1942) was one Read more...

George Washington Truett  “To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge! To do the will of God is the greatest achievement.” (George Washington Truett)   George W. Truett: Pastor, Preacher, and Statesman of Faith George Washington Truett (1867–1944) was one of the most influential Southern Baptist leaders in American history—a pastor, preacher, and denominational statesman whose life exemplified Read more...

Lee Rutland Scarborough  “Through his approachability, humor, and optimism he guided thousands of young men and women into ministry.” (Rosalie Beck)   Lee Rutland Scarborough: The Evangelist Who Trained a Generation Dr. Lee Rutland Scarborough (1870–1945) was one of the foremost leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention during the early twentieth century—a preacher, educator, author, and evangelist whose influence helped Read more...