Lance Latham
Encyclopedia
Lance Brenton Latham, 1894-1985, was a prominent preacher, evangelist, youth minister, and musician in the early to mid-20th century in Chicago, Illinois.
He was known to many familiar with his ministry as "Doc," and his wife Virginia was known as "Teach." They both firmly believed in a clear and simple presentation of the Gospel
of Jesus Christ.
Latham was a child prodigy, able to recite the entire Westminster Shorter Catechism by age 7.
He was the pianist for the Chicago Gospel Tabernacle under evangelist Paul Rader. While there, Latham organized a children's ministry called the White Shirt Brigades. Through this ministry Latham developed the principles that would eventually lead to the launching of Awana
.
Latham's ministry had a global impact. He founded the Awana Youth Association which quickly expanded to tens of thousands of clubs on every continent. Through Latham's leadership, hundreds of thousands of boys and girls in thousands of churches have engaged in Bible memory, activities, and evangelism.
Latham also founded Camp Awana, a pioneer in Christian camping. Thousands of young people experienced conversions to Christ through Latham's teaching at Camp Awana, including notables such as Bill Hybels
, pastor of Willow Creek Community Church
.
Latham was the founding pastor of the North Side Gospel Center, a church in Chicago. Latham's influence spread throughout the midwest and around the country.
One of the highlights of Latham's ministry was an annual Four Piano Concert. Latham, a concert-caliber pianist, arranged music for the four Steinway Grand Pianos and led an evening of inspiration and music for tens of thousands.
Latham also composed numerous hymns and choruses, most notably: Only Jesus, and [Blessed Calvary]. He also authored "The Two Gospels"
His official biography, Lance: A Testament of Grace, was written by Dave Breese
.
He was known to many familiar with his ministry as "Doc," and his wife Virginia was known as "Teach." They both firmly believed in a clear and simple presentation of the Gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
of Jesus Christ.
Latham was a child prodigy, able to recite the entire Westminster Shorter Catechism by age 7.
He was the pianist for the Chicago Gospel Tabernacle under evangelist Paul Rader. While there, Latham organized a children's ministry called the White Shirt Brigades. Through this ministry Latham developed the principles that would eventually lead to the launching of Awana
Awana
AWANA is an international evangelical nonprofit organization founded in 1950, headquartered in Streamwood, Illinois...
.
Latham's ministry had a global impact. He founded the Awana Youth Association which quickly expanded to tens of thousands of clubs on every continent. Through Latham's leadership, hundreds of thousands of boys and girls in thousands of churches have engaged in Bible memory, activities, and evangelism.
Latham also founded Camp Awana, a pioneer in Christian camping. Thousands of young people experienced conversions to Christ through Latham's teaching at Camp Awana, including notables such as Bill Hybels
Bill Hybels
William Hybels is the founding and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, one of the most attended churches in North America, with an average attendance of nearly 24,000 as of 2011...
, pastor of Willow Creek Community Church
Willow Creek Community Church
Willow Creek Community Church is a non-denominational, multi-generational Evangelical Christian megachurch located in the Chicago suburb of South Barrington, Illinois. It was founded on October 12, 1975 by Bill Hybels, who is currently the senior pastor...
.
Latham was the founding pastor of the North Side Gospel Center, a church in Chicago. Latham's influence spread throughout the midwest and around the country.
One of the highlights of Latham's ministry was an annual Four Piano Concert. Latham, a concert-caliber pianist, arranged music for the four Steinway Grand Pianos and led an evening of inspiration and music for tens of thousands.
Latham also composed numerous hymns and choruses, most notably: Only Jesus, and [Blessed Calvary]. He also authored "The Two Gospels"
His official biography, Lance: A Testament of Grace, was written by Dave Breese
Dave Breese
David William Breese was an evangelical Christian pastor and theologian from the mid-20th century to the early 21st century.-Early Family Life:...
.
See also
- Chicago Gospel Tabernacle
- Paul RaderPaul Rader (evangelist)Daniel Paul Rader was an influential evangelist in the Chicago area during the early 20th century and was America's first nationwide radio preacher.-External links:**...
- North Side Gospel Center
- AwanaAwanaAWANA is an international evangelical nonprofit organization founded in 1950, headquartered in Streamwood, Illinois...
- Art Rorheim
- New Tribes MissionNew Tribes MissionNew Tribes Mission is an international, theologically evangelical Christian mission organization based in Sanford, Florida, United States. NTM has approximately 3,300 missionaries in more than 20 nations, second only to Wycliffe Bible Translators/SIL International David Hesselgrave, Executive...
- HCJBHCJBHCJB, "The Voice of the Andes", was the first radio station with daily programming in the South American country of Ecuador and the first Christian missionary radio station in the world. The station was founded in 1931 by Clarence W. Jones, Reuben Larson, and D. Stuart Clark.- History :Radio...
- Trans World RadioTrans World RadioTrans World Radio is a multinational Christian evangelistic broadcaster. TWR broadcasts from 14 countries using mediumwave or high-powered AM transmitters, shortwave as well as through local radio stations, cable, satellite, and the Internet to reach millions of people in 160 nations in their own...
- Slavic Gospel Association
- Youth for ChristYouth for ChristYouth for Christ is the name of a number of previously unaffiliated evangelical Protestant religious campaigns which led to the creation of Youth for Christ International in 1946....
- Scripture Press
- Pacific Garden MissionPacific Garden MissionPacific Garden Mission is a homeless shelter in the South Loop section of Chicago, Illinois, founded in 1877, by Colonel George Clarke and his wife, Sarah. It has been nicknamed, "The Old Lighthouse." It is the oldest such shelter in Chicago...
- Old Fashioned Revival Hour
- The People's Church of Toronto
- Barrington CollegeBarrington CollegeBarrington College was a four-year Christian liberal arts college located in Barrington, Rhode Island. It is no longer in operation.-History:...