CHURCH OF GOD
CHRONICLE
S
“With Tons of Gospel Dynamite”
The Ministry of J.T. Roberts
by David G. Roebuck
and assisted in the construction of According to those that heard him, his
numerous local church buildings. Toward preaching was exuberant, demonstrative,
G
EORGIA HAS a great treat coming!” the end of his ministry, Roberts was state humorous, and marked with physical
proclaimed the Georgia Reporter evangelism director in Florida. illustrations and vivid language. He ran
in 1947. By that summer camp Yet Roberts was perhaps best known aisles, stood on chairs, and climbed tent
meeting was an established tradition in as an evangelist. Much of his early min- poles. Yet, he was careful to present a
the Church of God—so much so that the message that included the good
churches in Georgia had just purchased news of the Cross. Roberts labored to
property to build a campground outside
“J.T. Roberts—
insure people remembered the mes-
of Atlanta.
a crusading,
sage and not just his preaching style.
fearless, powerful,
Camp meetings were times of salva-
experienced
Announcing his coming in
tion for the lost, healing for the sick, and
camp-meeting
1947, the Georgia Reporter expressed
spiritual renewal for ministers and mem-
speaker—will
expectations of Roberts’ ministry
bers. Church of God people looked for- open up on the during the inaugural camp meeting
ward to these times of fellowship when
devil and his
in Doraville: “While the entire 10
they gathered together with their broth-
forces!”
days will have the general atmos-
ers and sisters whom they may not have phere of the camp meeting, we shall
seen in some time. As camp meeting really get into this part when Rev.
approached in Georgia, their expectations J.T. Roberts, Alabama’s Church of
were high and perhaps never higher. Not God dynamo and state overseer;
only were they about to have their first crusading, fearless, powerful, experi-
camp meeting on their new property, but enced camp-meeting, Gospel preach-
it would be under a tent and Jake Roberts er, opens up on Satan and his forces
would be the featured evangelist. with tons of Gospel dynamite.
When he arrived at the Georgia camp Georgia has a great treat coming!”
meeting, John Thomas Roberts (1907- Indeed, Roberts did not disap-
1984), better known as “Jake,” was point. Those who were there still
already a frequently sought-after camp- remember the August camp meeting.
meeting preacher. Born in Georgia, His preaching began a great tradition
Roberts served as pastor of 12 congrega- of camp-meeting preaching in
tions in Florida and South Carolina, Doraville, and he even climbed the
including the large Tremont Avenue tent pole while opening “up on
Church in Greenville. His administrative istry was as a tent evangelist, and in 1943 Satan and his forces with tons of gospel
ministry included serving as state overseer the Church of God appointed him as a dynamite.”
of Alabama (1944-1948) and Florida national evangelist. Roberts and his evan-
(1948-1952), as national overseer of gelistic team traveled the country singing David G. Roebuck serves as
Church of God Black Ministries (1958- and preaching the Gospel. Music, colorful director of the Church of God
1965), and as a member of the Executive preaching, and patriotic themes filled Hal Bernard Dixon Jr. Pente-
Council for 13 years. While overseer he their large Gospel tent. Roberts’ preaching costal Research Center in
built tabernacles in Alabama and Florida style and messages were unforgettable. Cleveland, Tennessee.
20 EVANGEL • JUNE 2009
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