At the beginning of the twentieth century, a new force would enable women to further demonstrate their equality in the work of the Lord. In 1901, the Pentecostal movement was ushered in when Agnes Nevada Ozman became the first person in the modern era to speak in tongues. This movement saw the promise and fulfillment of equal empowerment of men and women for service by the Holy Spirit, which sent individuals throughout the world to further the kingdom of God. As the theological shift from a postmillennial to a premillennial view occurred, opportunity became necessity as priority was given to the creation of schools to prepare ministers to reach lost souls before the return of Jesus. The founding of such schools was pioneered by Wesleyan Holiness and Pentecostal women who carried the torch as their movement grew into the twentieth century.

This book compiles the inspiring stories of some of the most notable women who, from society's perspective stepped outside established roles to claim a significant place in the history of American higher education.
 

"Abraham Ruelas has made an important contribution to recovery of long-forgotten but vital contributions Wesleyan Holiness and Pentecostal women have made to one of the most important religious movements of the last three centuries. His narrative takes us into the formerly little-explored area of women's involvement in shaping institutions that often trained the very men who denied them equal access to most arenas of ministry. Reulas is a welcomed comrade, whose work inspires Holiness or Pentecostal woman scholars who struggle to serve and forge a viable place for our intellectual gifts within the life of the institutions we love."—Estrelda Alexander, Professor of Theology Regent University School of Divinity  

About the Author
ABRAHAM RUELAS is chair of the Behavioral Sciences Division and professor of Communication at Patten University.

Pickwick Publications, 2010
9 x 6 inches 186 pages