We Remember...

By Emmett Rushing, WCG Elder

I first met the Armstrongs at a private home in Gladewater, Texas in the spring of 1952. One hundred twenty people had met there to celebrate the festivals the church had named Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread. I was somewhat familiar with Herbert W. Armstrong from listening as a youngster to his radio broadcast in the 1940’s.

One event that comes to mind was just prior to the annual Passover service, which was restricted to baptized members. I asked Mr. Armstrong whether I could receive the Passover symbols not having been baptized by the church. He asked me if I intended to be baptized to which I said, “yes”. He then suggested that I go ahead and receive the symbols.

He also suggested I apply for Ambassador College in the fall. I did apply and was accepted. I arrived at Ambassador College in Pasadena in August of 1952 as a freshman. The number of students was small and as a result we became very well acquainted with the Armstrongs. We were invited to their home several times. On one visit he entertained us by playing one of his favorite albums of classic instrumental Christmas songs on his latest Fisher hi fi system.

Mr. Armstrong provided the students with the best and highest quality of training. We attended cultural, sports, arts, business and academic events of the highest quality available in southern California. He believed in educating the whole person.

I did not return to college in 1954 but choose to get a job so that I could marry Ambassador student, Rachel Janette Spurlin. Mr. Armstrong performed our wedding ceremony on September 10, 1955. Garner Ted Armstrong sang several songs.

My first impression of Mrs. Armstrong was that she was a bit more religious than her husband. She was known to complain that Jesus Christ was not as prominent in our church as He should be. One of her favorite hymns was “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.” Later Mr. Armstrong remarked that some of the radio preachers were saying things that we should be saying. I also had the impression that he believed that some aspects of the church seemed to be cascading out of his control from time to time and that he had to work hard to contain it.

My wife Jan and I have remained in the WCG, a church that has historically been willing to make significant changes in theology and practice whenever error was discovered. In December of 1994 a friend loaned us a copy of the latest Pastor General Report, which we read with interest, outlining a major doctrinal shift. We believed that this new information when presented to the church at large would shake up many members dramatically. We had no idea just how true this would prove to be. Pastor General Joseph W. Tkach Sr. presented this material to all the churches by video in January 1995.

Telephone calls between old friends became frantic at times. It soon became obvious that many dedicated and sincere members had arrived at a totally different conclusion regarding this doctrinal change. My wife and I after carefully and prayerfully studying this report readily embraced this change and have never looked back. We welcomed it as a much needed mid-course correction and accepted these doctrinal changes on the basis that Christians walk by faith and not by sight and that God will honor that trust by revealing more truth to them. This is exactly what God did for us and we continually thank Him.

Based on my experience especially the early years, I am convinced that Herbert W. Armstrong and his wife Loma were sincere, committed people who dedicated their lives to a mission they believed God had called them to accomplish.

I respect their memory.

April 3, 2003