)f Evangelism / by Mary Belle Steele over his life to the Lord for His direc tion. Here was first bom in his heart the desire for Christian education. The other important person to influ ence his life was his future wife, Allene, who was to join him in train ing at Biola. Well-known at the school through sports activities and also by his association with the Christian Cowboys, Rev. Johnson directed his interests in the field of youth work. Upon being graduated from Biola, he began his work as director of a boy’s club for the Salvation Army in Los Angeles. During the five years follow ing graduation, Rev. Johnson also con tinued his education at the University of Southern California where he was graduated in 1954. In 1955 he too joined the staff at Downey to fill the position of youth pastor which was vacated by Rev. Gould. Since Rev. Johnson is a man of many ideas, his service has been highlighted by the creation of many new avenues of in terest for young people. The innova tion of missionary trips for groups of young people have set his work apart as- outstanding. Along with a busy camping program, Rev. Johnson has taken an active part in the planning of the new church youth center and has seen many of his ideas take shape in wood and stone before his eyes. His wife, Allene, a former student, finds her place of service among the “ small fry” of Downey and is known for her care of the children, as well as in caring for her own family of four boys and a baby girl. The Biola alumnus who holds the 1 position of Assistant Pastor is Rev. Frank Peters (Biola ’50) who hails from Dallas, Oregon. He comes from a sound German background. After military service with the Air Force, he came to Biola. Rev. Peters was first associated with Rev. Gould as a fellow student at Biola and at the First Bap tist Church of Paramount. After grad uation, he pursued his studies at Long Beach State College, and then was pastor of the Community Bible Church in Phoenix where he and his wife Helen remained for two years. After their return to Southern California, Rev. Peters became pastor of the Lomita Community Church, continu ing his work there until last year when he went to the Downey Church. Rev. Peters has been active in the edu cation branch of the church although a great deal of his time is spent in visitation where his gentle manner and comforting voice make him a wel come visitor in the homes at any time. Mrs. Peters has found a vital place of service in the musical program of the church, for which she was trained at the Bible Institute. The two Peters’ children keep her happily busy. The musical program of the church, one of the busiest in Southern Cali fornia, provides ample expression for the talents of Thomas E. “ Ed” Steele (Biola ’49). A native Californian, Rev. Steele grew up in Pomona and entered Biola after having graduated from high school. His schooling was inter rupted by 2% years of service in the Army where even his few short months of Bible training stood him in good stead. When his time of service with the occupation army in Japan was ended, he returned to Biola to complete his work for his Bachelor of
Theology degree. Rev. Steele, having pastored two churches since his grad uation from Biola, is now a staff mem ber there, but labors at Downey in a part-time capacity. During his student days, Rev. Steele worked with Rev. Gould and Rev. Peters at the Para mount church. After graduation he studied further at Pepperdine and Chico State Colleges and in 1951 be came pastor of the First Baptist Church of Anderson, Calif. After sev eral years of ministry there, he ac cepted the pastorate of the First Bap tist Church of Hemet, Calif, where he remained until 1958. When he joined the staff of Biola, he found a place of ready service and a church home at Downey. Mary Belle Steele (Biola ’50), a busy mother of two, serves in the choir and in the teaching ministry of the church. The most recent addition to the staff of the First Baptist Church of Downey is Mrs. James Kendell, who, though not a Biola alumna, is now serving as a staff member there. Mrs. Kendall joined the Biola family in 1956 as the head of the Art depart ment. A classic statement of Mrs. Kendell’s is this, “ I see God’s design and plan in everything.” So it has been His design to bring together in one group these who have met and trained and married from among those who belong to the Biola family. Surely the Bible Institute of Los Angeles can be proud of God’s work among those who enter her doors for training to go forth to work year after year for the Lord, whom they have learned to serve and serve well at Biola.
Youth D irector Johnson checks refreshments for youth before informal counseling discussion. Rev. Peters and Dr. Gould at work.
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