IN LOVING MEMORY |
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| Bro Ray Pringle, Sr. |
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| October 22, 1921 - July 4, 2002 |
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Taken 1958 |
Taken 1994 | ||||
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Bro. Ray Pringle, Sr. This amazingly strong, wise, deeply spiritual man, who saw the Word of God as a panorama, had his beginning in humble surroundings. He was born, two months prematurely, in the little fishing village of Cortez, Florida, and christened Raymond Stargel Pringle by his parents, Nash and Leona Pringle, who were devout Christians. Three days after his birth the terrible hurricane of 1921 hit the west coast of Florida and Cortez was nearly destroyed. The entire village had to be evacuated. There was only one way out, and that was by boat, since the entire village was flooded. Brother Nash Pringle wept as they put Sister Pringle and their newborn baby in a skiff and covered them with a mattress to help keep them dry. In the driving rain and hurricane winds, two brave commercial fishermen pulled them for several miles to high ground and safety. This was the first of many miracles in his life. Raymond’s education began in the little red school house in Cortez. After grammar school he went on to graduate high school in Bradenton, Florida, the County Seat of Manatee County. In October of 1940, he met Naomi, and after a short courtship they were married on January 11, 1941. At that time he was driving a truck delivering ice to people – mostly tourists and vacationers – on Anna Maria Island. After a couple of years their marriage became strained, and they wound up in divorce court. You see, that’s what happens when you don’t have God in your lives. Raymond went to his saintly old mother, who gave him some good advice. She told him that if he would repent of his sins and serve the Lord that God would put his family back together. So, on October 6, 1943, Raymond went to a revival, repented, and was gloriously saved. Then on October 10th, Naomi gave her heart to the Lord and their marriage was saved. The two of them with their children have led many souls to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ – here in the United States and on the foreign mission field. Just before Christmas 1944, Raymond received greetings from Uncle Sam – his draft notice. December 18, 1944 was the sad day that he left his family to serve two years in the U.S. Army. Because he was a praying Christian he had a lot of persecution; but when the persecution became bearable, he decided that he sort of liked the Army. At “re-up” time he was on his way to headquarters to re-enlist for four more years. That, however, was not God’s will for his life. He had to stop and wait for some marching troops to pass by and during that short wait God spoke to him. In an audible voice God told him that he was to preach the gospel. Instead of re-enlisting he put in for a discharge and went home. Not knowing how to respond to God’s calling Raymond went back to his fishing nets and waited for direction from the Lord. Knowing that he needed time to study and educate himself in God’s Word he enrolled in Lee College, a Church of God College in Cleveland, Tennessee. Graduating Lee College he moved his family to Jonesboro, Arkansas where he pastored the Church of God church and attended Arkansas State College. After six fruitful years in Arkansas, where he built the first brick Church of God in that state, and left a congregation that filled the church, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where he opened a Revival Center. While in Memphis he was visited by an Angel. Brother Pringle was on an extended fast and as he was in prayer one day an Angel of the Lord appeared before him and there God anointed him to be a prophet. Four rewarding years were spent in Memphis. Again the Pringle family moved. This time it was back to his home village of Cortez that served as home base for several years of evangelism. Life was not easy. Between revivals he would return to his fishing boats and nets to make a living for his family. You see, being a holiness preacher is not a high-paying job. When Brother Pringle announced that God had called him to be a prophet most of his minister friends became critical and left him alone. They did not believe that God has endtime prophets. In November of 1967 as he was on a long fast (he fasted often) and seeking God, the Holy Ghost spoke to him with a Scripture: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me saith the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17. Then the Lord spoke again in his ear: “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7. His fears allayed, he boldly followed God’s call. Brother Ray Pringle Sr. was not just called and chosen but he was DRIVEN by the Holy Ghost. There was never time to rest because God drove him relentlessly. In September 1973, the family made another move. This time to Jacksonville, Florida, where the Word of Prophecy ministry came to full birth. After being in Jacksonville for seven years, Brother Pringle preaching, making Radio tapes, writing books such as The Bride of Christ, The Baptism of the Holy Ghost, Per-Versions of the Bible, etc. from his home and having church in a storefront office building, God gave deliverance. In September 1980 the Ministry moved to a spacious facility in North Jacksonville. There were twenty-two acres of land with a large church building, a school building where a day school began, and a large fellowship hall where the Bible School of Prophecy had its inception. With Brother Pringle’s vast knowledge of the Bible and his immeasurable wisdom, young men and women came from far and wide to be taught in the Bible School of Prophecy. The Word of Prophecy Fellowship, the Bible School of Prophecy, and Calvary Chapel Church of God have continued for over twenty-two years. The property grew to forty acres with facilities for on-campus students. The Word of Prophecy Radio Broadcast, heard all over the world, is reaching many individuals and families, turning their hearts to the Lord. The many books, Newsletters, and other literature that Brother Ray Pringle has written contain an endless treasure of the knowledge of God’s Word. The Video tapes made in Calvary Chapel Church, though definitely not professional, will bless you and your family and friends and even your enemies (if you have any). Brother Ray Pringle, Sr. was a faithful man of God and a true patriot. On July 4, 2002, God called him home. He was eighty years old and the toils of life took their toll. His wish was for the Word of Prophecy Fellowship to continue. He worked tirelessly for two years, almost day and night, preaching, putting his messages on tape so that the vital endtime message could continue after his death. The messages he preached are timeless. We see his predictions coming to pass every day and we will see them more as time goes on. The following is a message he left here for us. This was left on his writing table. About the last he wrote in his own feeble hand: “Use with Hebrews 11.” By Brother Ray Pringle Sr. By faith this ministry will continue with his eldest son at the helm, Brother Ray Pringle, Jr. As I have written this, I have sweet assurance that Raymond had fought a good fight, he had finished his course, he surely kept the faith, and he has now received the crown that was laid up for him in heaven. I miss him terribly but I know that not long hence I will see him again. May God bless you all as you remain faithful in your prayers and support. Sincerely, in loving memory, Naomi Pringle |
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| July 10, 2002 | |||||
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| "Bro. and Sis. Pringle" |
"Bro. Pringle mending nets in Cortez, FL." |
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