Table of Contents

Interview with Thomas E. Trask

Past Victory/Present Vision

The history of the Assemblies of God vibrates with impressive accounts of personal sacrifice and faith. The early pioneers of Pentecost colonized to form an end-time church that would withstand the tide of political and economic uncertainty. Their aggressive emphasis on missions and depth of passion for the lost were proof of their anticipation of Christ’s soon return.

Because of the shared-objective and Christ-honoring faith of 300 men and women who gathered in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in April 1914, the Assemblies of God has emerged as the largest and most influential Pentecostal group in the world.

Reflecting on our past victories and with an eye to the future, General Superintendent Thomas E. Trask remains optimistic about the future of this church. In his regular interview, he talks about what will be required of the Assemblies of God if it is to recapture its reason for being and remain effective in reaching the lost in the next century.

As a church, what spiritual lesson must we carry from our past into the next millennium?

Trask: The great lesson we have learned, and must continue to learn, is our dependence on God and on the work of the Holy Spirit. Our ministry cannot be man’s doing; it has to be the work of the Spirit. The Spirit’s power launched the Early Church, and this same power has propelled this church to where it is today.

As God blesses the church with more programs, assets, and resources, there is a tendency to rely on these things. But the Bible states that unless God builds the Church, we labor in vain. We might be building a new building, but it is not our building; it is His. We are simply partners with Him, and we dare not move away from that.

Also, as we move into the 21st century, we do not need to design something new. The plan and purpose God reveals in His Word for the Church will carry it through to the Rapture; however far or near that might be.

The Assemblies Of God has a rich spiritual heritage. what will mark our effectiveness as a church in the years to come?

Trask: We must remain focused on and dependent on the Holy Spirit. Out of that dependence comes the ingredient that makes this church effective—passion. Passion comes from God. Passion was real in our early years. We have been known as people of deep passion. Our passion and compassion for the lost comes because we are compelled by the Spirit. The Spirit, not ambition or ego, drives us. This makes everything we do effective. If we ever lose our passion, we are in trouble as a Fellowship.

What characterized past leaders of the Assemblies of God?

Trask: It is significant that the Assemblies of God was not started by a personality. This is very rare, if not unique. God almost always works through men. History reveals a common thread running through each of the men called to lead this church. They were men of integrity and passion; they were men filled with the Spirit and the Word. These characteristics are found in men of leadership in the days of the Bible. These same characteristics must be found in our leaders of today and of the future.

How has the Assemblies of God remained doctrinally sound?

Trask: Over the last 85 years the Assemblies of God has come through times of doctrinal disputes. How have we survived and not gone off on tangents, or been swayed by some very convincing teachings that appeared legitimate? It is because we have had leadership that did not waver. The Word of God remains our rule for doctrine and practice. Our Fellowship has remained biblically sound both in doctrine and practice. But it takes leadership that doesn’t move from that centerpiece.

The hallmark of this Movement is the phrase we have on our emblem: All the Gospel—which means the full gospel. Our doctrine has been derived from the Word of God, and it is not up for debate or negotiation. This church has had to take some unpopular stances and deal with some men of visibility who chose to move away from our doctrine. That takes courage. But our leaders have been men of courage and faith.

What concerns you most about the church in today’s society?

Trask: We must remain people of prayer. Jesus continued steadfastly in prayer throughout His life and ministry.

I am believing God that as we move into the new century and millennium we will recapture our reason for being. God raised up this church to be evangelistic—to reach the lost at any cost.

Jesus is not willing that any should perish. Jesus said, “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). We must continue to be concerned for the lost and do everything possible to reach them with the gospel.

After the lost are reached, we must disciple them to become not only believers in Jesus Christ, but followers of Him as well. As we move into the 21st century, the Holy Spirit needs to place in the hearts of pastors, evangelists, missionaries, and laity the desire to reach the lost.

The Lord is coming soon. The evidence is all around us, and the fields are ripe unto harvest. We must not be content until His purpose for the Church is fulfilled.

You have just finished writing a Book about evangelism, The Choice. what was your motivation for writing it?

Trask: The Holy Spirit placed this subject on my heart as the general superintendent of the Assemblies of God. What do we need to be doing? We need to be about the Father’s business of reaching the lost. This is more than building churches and increasing membership—simply growing numerically. Evangelism is rescuing men and women from a Christless eternity where they will be lost forever.

You are optimistic about the future of the Assemblies of God. explain.

Trask: Yes, I am optimistic. The hand of God is upon this church. Our future is bright if we continue to believe and trust God for a mighty outpouring of His Spirit.

God has given us great resources—the pastors and laity of this church, plus many fine church facilities. If we will use our resources and allow the Spirit to breathe on us with a fresh empowering, we can go into the new millennium with a renewed confidence. We can have the results of another Pentecost, where multitudes were added to the Church daily. Paul said where sin abounds, grace does much more abound. God wrote the last chapter, and the last chapter says the Church wins.

The challenge for us is to be a part of the Church. He said the Church would be without spot or wrinkle. Are we as the Assemblies of God going to be a part of that Church? I’m determined to be a part, and I believe there is that cry in the hearts of our pastors. There is a hunger and desire for a move of God.

Let us believe God for the supernatural, for the miraculous, for the outstanding, and He will do it.