On
behalf of the congregation at God's Acres . . .
Brother
Emerson A. Wilson was a man of God in every respect and
is greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was
the pastor of the Church of God at God's Acres for 33 years
prior to the ministry of Brother Roger Decker. As it says
in the Scriptures,"Blessed are the dead which die
in the Lord . . . that they may rest from their labors;
and their works do follow them."
Through God's leadership, Brother Wilson was shown the truth
that deep within the heart of every person is a desire to
know God. He was instrumental in fulfilling the vision of
his father wherein men and women of different color, races,
and nationalities would come together to hear the Gospel
preached. Thus, in June of 1955, "God's Acres"
was set apart and dedicated to the Lord's service. Since
that day, the grounds have been used each year for old-fashioned
camp meetings.
As the
congregation grew, the decision was made for a new building
that would meet the needs of the congregation and the camp
meetings. Thus, a new tabernacle was built and dedicated
to the glory of God on Sunday, June 29, 1969. Then, in 1971,
a print shop was opened to publish The Gospel Trumpeter, which is mailed to over 10,000 subscribers throughout
the world yet today.
The
Bible teaches us that God led Moses through the wilderness,
but it was Joshua who led them into the Promised Land. For
the Church of God at God's Acres, it was Brother W. A. Wilson
to whom God gave the vision for God's Acres. However, it
was Brother Emerson Wilson who, under divine leadership,
fulfilled that vision.
Brother
Wilson died on a Saturday evening, April 11, 1987, at his
home. His funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Wednesday,
April 15, 1987, at the Church of God. It can be said of
him, as in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought a good fight,
I have kept the faith." He is
greatly missed by all who knew and loved him, and especially
those who sat under his ministry. Our loss was Heaven's
gain!
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