Pentecostalism and the American Religious Landscape: Part II

As part of our multi-episode series about Pentecostalism – a relatively unknown and perhaps misunderstood, fast growing, and very large part of Christianity, we will be talking with Darrin Rodgers and Ruthie Oberg from the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center in Springfield, Missouri.

 

The Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center (FPHC) is the largest Pentecostal archives in the world. Located in the National Office of the Assemblies of God USA, the FPHC collects printed materials, oral histories, artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia documenting the Assemblies of God and the broader Pentecostal and charismatic movements, spanning the globe. The FPHC has become an important hub for Pentecostal history and research, preserving and promoting Pentecostal testimonies and identity so that future generations can know the works of God. Countless church leaders, scholars, students, people in the pew, and other researchers have used its collections.

 

Darrin Rodgers is the director of the Center and has an M.A. in Theological Studies from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and a J.D. from the University of North Dakota School of Law. He came to the FPHC from Fuller Theological Seminary, where he served at the David du Plessis Archive and the McAlister Library. He has authored Northern Harvest, a history of Pentecostalism in North Dakota, and numerous articles in books and journals. His research interests include Pentecostal origins, ethnic aspects of Pentecostalism's development, and the intersection of Christianity and culture.

 

Ruthie Oberg is an events speaker with the Center and is an ordained Assemblies of God minister, having served in senior and associate pastoral roles for 25 years. Ruthie speaks at national conferences, local churches, has produced a daily radio program in the Omaha market. Her articles have appeared in the Pentecostal Evangel, Enrichment, Influence, and Assemblies of God Heritage, and she is a regular contributor to “This week in AG History” for AG News. She is also a past chair of the Library and Research Committee of the Society for Pentecostal Studies.