The Life And Ministry Of Harold Emanuel Griffiths Part 9

If this is the first post you are reading about Harold Griffiths, or if you want to remind yourself about his life and ministry up to and through World War 2, then please take the time to read these older blogs. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7 and Part 8.
An earlier post also provides a music sheet for hymn music he re wrote and published.

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There are a few years now with little to say about Harold. I know that he continued with ministering and serving in the A.O.G. but have very few specifics.

An article in the Redemption Tidings Magazine of February 1959 provides a general history of the Pentecostal churches in Staffordshire and a brief outline of Harold's part to play in pioneering pentecostal churches there. I only have a pdf document for this article so I can provide no image here. One paragraph explains the North-West Midlands A.O.G District:

"The boundary points are, Macclesfield, Buxton, Uttoxeter, Longton, and Silverdale. Within this area lie ten more assemblies most of them clustered around Hanley. A number of these assemblies were pioneered or brought into Pentecostal blessing by local brethren. Brothers Charles H. Harthern and Harold Griffiths deserve mention in this respect, but one would love to mention others perhaps not so prominent but equally present in these ventures." 

Much of Harold's role in this early 1930's boom of churches has been mentioned in earlier blogs so I will not go into more detail again here.

March 1931 lists Harold as speaking at an Easter Convention in Prestatyn, Wales. (1)

In April we read a brief summary of how the conference was received. (2)

"The Word of God, anointed by the Holy Ghost, and ministered to us by Brothers E. Davies and H. Griffiths, searched out hearts, imparted zeal, and filled us with Joy. Jesus, the Christ of the Cross, uplifted in praise, drew us still closer to Himself."

Later that year Harold and Annie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. This picture was taken. 

Back left to right: Anne, Ruth (Annie's daughter), Valerie, toddler Jean with mother Naomi. Ruth (Harold's daughter) with son Keith, Betty (Real name Rosemary) and David Griffiths.
Front left to right: Norman (Anne's husband), James Lawton (Naomi's husband), Arthur Elkes (Anne's husband), Harold and Annie, Jack (Real name Harold, behind his mother),  Gillian and Angela (David and Rosemary's children), Eric (Jack's son),
Very Front: Joy is the child on the left, Rhys is the child on the right.

It's difficult sometimes to get everyone's names right but I think I managed it with this one thanks to help from Harold's daughter Ruth. Iris is noticeably missing, due to living in Africa at the time.

In 1962 we see Harold commissioning a new minister in Leek

Harold is again listed as having "worked so sacrificially in the early days at Leek,". It was he who was chosen to pray for the minister as the services closed. (3)

I will finish this post with one last extended family photograph. This was taken by Roy, Ruth's husband, shortly before her brother David and his family left for Africa. (They worked fairly close to Iris and Idris.)

Taken in Basford where David Griffiths was the minister.
Back row: James Lawton (Naomi's husband), Naomi holding Julia who is David's daughter, Jack (Harold Jr), David, Ruth, Harold and Annie, Annie (Daughter) with her daughter Joy,
Front: Angela (David's daughter), Jean and Keith (Ruth's children),  Gillian (David's daughter), Betty (Rosemary), David.

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(1) Redemption Tidings March 1961, Volume 37

(2) Redemption Tidings April 1961, Volume 37
(3) Redemption Tidings November 1962, Volume 38