LIFE Awards Doctorates of Divinity

On Saturday, May 13th, 2006 at the historic Angelus Temple in Los Angeles, California Mrs. Leona Williams and Reverend James Tolle were each awarded the Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Life Pacific College.  These degrees are given to individuals who have distinguished themselves in sustained ministry activity and distinguished service to the Body of Christ in general and the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in particular.
                     
Dr. Leona Williams was awarded for her lifetime of commitment to The Foursquare Church and for creating world wide resources that continue to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to many countries. 

Born in Denver, Colorado in 1913, Leona Berndtson and family came to California in 1923, just as the Foursquare Movement began.  In fact, the family attended the one year celebration of the opening of Angelus Temple on January 1, 1924!  This is where Mrs. Williams’ lifetime commitment to the Foursquare Church began enjoying the charismatic preaching of our founder, Aimee Semple McPherson as a child during the time her mother attended LIFE Bible College. 

Leona was an active participant in the Foursquare Crusader youth program and other church activities in a variety of Foursquare churches while growing up.  She graduated from Life Bible College in 1935, where she also met her soon to be husband, Karl Williams.  Together, they pioneered the Norwalk Foursquare Church. 

Throughout the years, the Williams family remained very active in Foursquare churches and regularly traveled to foreign countries encouraging missionaries.  Mrs. Williams spent 37 years faithfully serving United Foursquare Women, serving as their President from 1969 to 1976. 

For years, the Williams saw the need for free Gospel literature during their numerous visits to the mission field. In 1981, using mostly their own finances, Karl and Leona Williams founded The Foursquare Missions Press in a small garage with a one-color press.

Since then, 150 million free tracts, booklets and books have spread the good news of Jesus Christ to 104 countries in 44 different languages. The Press works closely with Foursquare missionaries and national leaders all around the world, also providing free literature to many other missionary organizations and leaders.  And, as of this year’s graduation, Leona Williams, at the age of 93, was still working at the Press four days a week. 

Shortly after receiving her Doctorate at Life Pacific College, Leona became gravely ill.  On July 9, 2006, this dear saint who gave so much of her life to ensure that others would know Christ, met Him face-to-face.  The Life Pacific College community is grateful for all that Dr. Williams accomplished in her lifetime and for our opportunity to honor her in her last days on this earth.

Dr. James A. Tolle was awarded for being steadfast in his commitment to reach lost souls; for serving our Foursquare family faithfully wherever he was asked to go; and for having a vision for his city that will help us all reshape the way we think about the possibilities the local church can impact the world.

A Vietnam veteran and business owner, this “pastor’s kid” had little intention of following in his parent’s footsteps, but the Lord had plans for Jim Tolle.  After graduating from Life Bible College in 1979, Jim and his wife Alice entered the ministry. Over these twenty seven years the Tolles have faithfully served the Foursquare Church as missionaries, church planters, district supervisors, missions directors and as Senior Pastors. 

Though Pastor Jim has served around the world, and in roles that have global impact, it is perhaps his current role as Senior Pastor at The Church On The Way which will ultimately change the way we think about international ministry in the local church. 

Asked to again join the staff at The Church On The Way in 2000 by his friend Pastor Scott Bauer, Pastor Jim and Alice came to pastor the small Spanish speaking congregation, La Iglesia En El Camino.  By the Lord’s grace and attendant hand this congregation has grown incredibly and now draws thousands from the Greater Los Angeles area to its four services each Sunday. 

On September 19, 2004 Pastors Jim and Alice Tolle were installed as Senior Pastors of The Church On The Way. In this role, Jim is leading the charge to “Shepherd Los Angeles” and encouraging both the English and Spanish speaking components of the church to do the same.  In so doing he is leading our denomination by example, that each of us in the Foursquare Church would embrace the cultures and peoples that surround us.  This missionary/evangelist is teaching us how to reach the mission field just outside our doors, right now.