Rev. Billy Adams Passed Away

For those who may not have heard:

March 24, 2006
On Monday evening, March 13, 2006, Rev. Billy Adams, veteran Foursquare minister for more than 70 years, went home to be with the Lord.

While many of the other early Foursquare leaders represented various aspects of ministry, Rev. Adams was a vivid example of the evangelist, expressing the enthusiasm and zeal upon which The Foursquare Church was founded. He traveled the world, conducting campaigns in Australia, India, Egypt and Russia, as well as speaking at camps and youth rallies. His evangelistic ministry expanded beyond denominational boundaries.

Rev. Adams graduated from Life Pacific College in January 1931 and was licensed with The Foursquare Church that same year. He was ordained in 1934. In April 1934, Billy married his wife, Esther, who had served as organist for Angelus Temple under the ministry of Aimee Semple McPherson.

Together, the Adams pastored in Salinas, Calif.; Waterloo, Iowa; Anaheim, Calif.; Willowbrook, Calif.; and East Los Angeles, Calif. In 1954, Billy Adams accepted the invitation to Angelus Temple as staff evangelist, a position he held until 1959. During his time at Angelus Temple, Rev. Adams' illustrated messages brought large crowds with hundreds coming to the Lord. His style of preaching became a favorite of those who listened to radio station KFSG each Sunday evening.

In September 1959, the Adams were appointed senior pastors of the Long Beach Foursquare Church, where they served until their retirement in March 2004. In 1992, Rev. Adams was honored by The Foursquare Church for his 60 years of faithful service. At the age of 87, he was also recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for his longevity in Christian ministry.

The memorial service for Rev. Adams will be conducted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 at 1:00 p.m., at the First Foursquare Church of Long Beach, Calif. Our prayers and thoughts also go out to his wife, Esther, daughter Patsy Lane, and three grandchildren, Robert Bruce Lane, Gary Edward Lane and Cheryl Susan Lenell.Gifts can be made to the Rev. Billy Adams Memorial Fund c/o Life Pacific College. Gifts will be designated for the education of future pastors.

Foursquare News Service #243

Brant Baker was able to preach in Angelus Temple as a direct result of Mr and Mrs Adams.