O.W. POLEN: “Mr. Evangel”
◆ BY HOMER G. RHEA ◆
W
OULD YOU BE interested Flint Church of God in Michigan. There School Teacher, and Living by the Word.
in moving to Cleveland, he led a successful congregation while Brother Polen is respected in Evangeli-
Tennessee, to become my reaching out to the community, serving cal circles, advancing to the highest lead-
editorial assistant?” The as president of the Greater Flint Ministe- ership levels of several organizations. In
call came in February 1973. I was pastor- rial Association. During this same period, the International Pentecostal Press Asso-
ing the Church of God in Meridian, Mis- he was twice elected as a member of the ciation (IPPA), he was a board member,
sissippi, and I had never met O. W. Polen. Executive Council of the Church of God secretary-treasurer, and vice president,
He had heard of my ministry through for consecutive four-year terms. and served as president on two occasions.
Carl Richardson and George Alford. Two In 1968, Brother Polen was appointed He was on the advisory board of the Mid-
weeks later we met in Jackson, Missis- state overseer of the Delmarva-D.C. America Sunday School Association and
sippi, and I agreed to accept his offer. I region, where he served for the next two International Christian Education Asso-
assumed that position on June 1, 1973. ciation; chairman of the Denominational
Thus began a long-term association with Sunday School Secretaries, National Sun-
one of the kindest, most professional, and day School Association (NSSA); member
dedicated men I have ever known. of the NSSA General Council; and trea-
O. W. Polen was born into a Baptist surer of the Youth Commission of NSSA.
household on the last day of 1920. He Awards and recognitions were plenti-
converted to the Pentecostal faith at the ful in O. W. Polen’s ministry, and includ-
age of 11 and joined the Church of God in ed such honors as Church of God Chap-
1941. The next year he began his formal lains Commission Historical Award; first
ministry and married Neva Grace—the recipient of the James DeForest Murch
woman who would be his partner in min- Journalism Award from the National
istry for the next 64 years until her death Association of Evangelicals; an honorary
in 2006 at the age of 87. Together they doctoral degree from West Coast Chris-
reared two daughters, Janet and Connie. tian College; member of the Lee College
Brother Polen’s ministry is marked by President’s Council for nine years; and
milestone achievements in leadership in inclusion in Men of Achievement, Diction-
the Church of God. His early ministry is ary of International Biography, and Who’s
remembered as innovative and progres- Who in Religion.
sive. Following a pastorate in Shelby, years before accepting the post that would Following Dr. Polen’s retirement as
Ohio, the next eight years signaled a define his legacy in the Church of God. editor in chief, he continued to work with
change in his career. He served as state In 1970, O. W. Polen became editor the leadership of the Church of God, serv-
youth and Christian education director in chief of Church of God publications— ing as part-time coordinator of special
in his home state of Ohio. While there, a role he would fill for the next 18 years. projects for the Executive Committee.
he conducted Ohio’s first youth camp. His tenure is the longest of any in the Ironically, when I became editor in
His leadership was recognized with an history of the Church of God. His leader- chief, Brother Polen was still on staff as
appointment to the General Youth and ship was marked by advancements and coordinator of special projects. In a sense
C. E. Board and then as assistant director increases in the circulation of the Evan- our roles had reversed, but with every
for two years. His first elected leadership gel and other publications. The Evangel accomplishment and advancement we
post came when the General Council reached its highest circulation of 79,000 made in the department, he was just as
voted him director of the Department of during his tenure. He became known as proud as though he were still editor in
Youth and Christian Education, a posi- “Mr. Evangel.” He led innovations such chief. That speaks volumes about the
tion he held from 1956 until 1960. During as the Evangelaire distribution program, character of the man.
this time he inaugurated a youth world the establishing of the Pentecostal Min-
missions program which evolved into the ister magazine, and conducting writer’s
Homer G. Rhea is a former
highly successful YWEA program of today. seminars. He authored numerous articles
editor in chief of Church of
Upon leaving youth leadership, Dr. and publications, including Editorially
God publications.
Polen accepted the pastorate of the West Speaking (volumes 1 and 2), The Sunday
12 EVANGEL • MAR 2010
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