Evangelical Methodist Church

This story is about a small denomination, the Evangelical Methodist Church (EMC), founded in 1946 at a prayer meeting in Memphis, TN. Dr. Hamblen, who had left the Methodist Church (presently the United Methodist Church), was asked to form a new holiness denomination. His prayer was, 'Lord, if this movement is of you, let it grow; if not, let it die". Dr. Hamblen's prayer is still facing the denomination after 75 years of victories and challenges. Methodism in America is a laity denomination. The church began as Methodist laypersons immigrated to America. The first Societies in America included active participation by people of African and European descent. The EMC attempted to combine the Methodist Episcopal Book of Discipline with Baptist congregational elements. The theology was correct, but the organizational structure of a congregational-connectional is the nemesis. This book traces the EMC story with an honest view of the 'sin in the camp' and the victories of mission expansion. The prophetic thread calls the EMC General Church to repentance and renewal, echoing in our ears the voice of Dr. Hamblen, 'let the movement live or let it die' according to God's plan. A native of Parkersburg, West Virginia, Dr. Edward Williamson knew he was called to ministry when he was only a teenager. He followed that vision to Teen Challenge, a ministry to drug addicts in New York City. Dr. Williamson is married to Gilda Day and accomplished educator and artist. Gilda introduced Bibles for Myanmar, nutrition training and rice for the people. Gilda and Ed are serving as missionaries with One Mission Society. Ed serves as Vice President at large and Church Multiplication Facilitator for Myanmar and Gilda serves with Dynamic Women Ministries for Myanmar.