Dear Vanguard Community –
Dr. Lewis Wilson, historian, and longtime Assemblies of God minister, passed into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, June 20, 2024. Dr. Wilson’s service to Assemblies of God higher education for 55 years included the impactful roles of Professor, Dean, and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Vanguard University, then Southern California College.
Beginning his education at Glad Tidings Bible Institute (later to become Bethany College), Dr. Wilson subsequently earned his B.A. from Sacramento State College, M.A. from San Jose State University, and his Ph.D. in history from the University of California, Berkeley. Before arriving at Vanguard in 1967, Dr. Wilson taught at Bethany College and San Francisco State University, pastored Bay Area churches, and served as a missionary in South Africa directing the African Bible Training Institute.
As a second-generation Pentecostal, Dr. Wilson had personal and professional interests in Pentecostal studies. His work in developing college-level courses in Pentecostalism and the Charismatic movement along with his award-winning, published research, “A Vine of His Own Planting,” distinguished Dr. Wilson as a pioneer in Pentecostal higher education. Vanguard’s Lewis Wilson Institute for Pentecostal Studies carries on his passionate work through providing lectures, publishing, and forums of Pentecostal engagement.
As a freshman at SCC, Dr. Wilson was my professor. As president of Vanguard, he has been my cheerleader. Like me, generations of students and academic leaders have been influenced by his humility, integrity and care.
The entire Vanguard Community lifts up the Wilson family in our prayers. Information about Dr. Wilson’s services will be shared with the Vanguard Community when it becomes available.
Grace and Peace,
Dr. Michael Beals