Edgar M. Louton | |
|---|---|
 Louton in 1971 | |
| Born | December 13, 1933 Grosse Pointe, Michigan, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Columbia International University (MA) |
| Occupation(s) | missionary, minister |
| Years active | 1951 – present |
| Organization(s) | Assemblies of God USA (ordained, 1956) GoToNations |
| Known for | Ministry in South Africa |
| Notable work | The Crisis of Christian Credibility in South Africa (1980) |
| Movement | Pentecostalism |
| Spouse |
Barbara Ann Hughes (m. 1958) |
| Children | 4, incl. David Louton |
| Parents |
|
| Assemblies of God District Superintendent for the Northern Transvaal | |
| In office 1965 - 1970 | |
| Signature | |
 | |
Edgar Myron Louton (born December 13, 1933) is an American evangelist and missionary in South Africa, formerly with the Assemblies of God USA. He one is of the longest active Assemblies of God ministers, having been ordained by the Michigan District in 1956.
Arriving in South Africa in 1951, Louton vocally opposed Apartheid, for which he faced consequences within his organization. He was associated with African leaders such as Nicholas Bhengu and became proficient in Northern Sotho, which contrasted with the practices of his contemporaries and helped him become respected in the black community.[1]
Early life and education
Louton was born in 1933 in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan to Albert Gordon Louton (1902–1985) and Louise Rettinger Louton (1904–1967).[2][3][4]
He graduated from The Assemblies of God Theological School in Brakpan in 1955,[5][6]and received education from the South African Bible Institute and Central Bible College,[7] as well as through correspondence with institutions such as the Fuller Theological Seminary, eventually earning a Master of Arts from Columbia International University[8]
His sister, Evelyn, (1931 - 2014) was also missionary in South Africa and co-founded Cape College of Theology in Cape Town.[9][4]
Career
Louton's father became a missionary to South Africa in 1951, bringing 17-year-old Louton with him. After college, Louton began building churches.[10]
During the 1950s, Louton traveled back to the United States and established himself in American circles, especially in Michigan.[11] In the late 1950s, Louton was active in Hout Bay, Cape Town.[7]
During his early years in South Africa, he met Nicholas Bhengu, called the “Billy Graham of Africa.” Louton, who was not yet fluent in African languages, used Bhengu as an interpreter.[1]
In 1963, he was based in Ficksburg.[12] In 1965, he became the general superintendent for the Northern Transvaal district for the Assemblies of God. He was in office until 1970, when he returned to the United States for several years. During the 1970s, he also served as Director of the Assemblies of God Youth Program and was involved in promoting Christian literature.[7]
Louton was a supporter of the Anti-Apartheid Movement and wrote a critical academic paper about apartheid in December 1980, entitled The Crisis of Christian Credibility in South Africa.[8] This forced him to return to the United States in the 1980s, as it was feared that his colleagues’ work would be affected. He came back to South Africa and held an academic position at a mission college in Mpumalanga for twenty years, beginning in 1988.[5][13][8]
Personal life
Louton married Barbara Hughes, the daughter of a pastor in Flushing, Michigan[14]on February 1, 1958.[10]The couple have four children.[5][15]
References
- 1 2 Motshetshane, Albert Stephen (28 June 2016). Culture and conflict in Pentecostalism: the Assemblies of God in South Africa, Nicholas Bhengu and the American missionaries, and the International Assemblies of God (1917-1964) (Thesis). hdl:10413/13090.
- ↑ "Albert Gordon Louton". geni_family_tree. 1902-08-13. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ↑ "EFG: Edgar Myron Louton (1933–), 4234". www.etherton.net. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- 1 2 Grams, Rollin G. (2010-07-01). Stewards of Grace: A Reflective, Mission Biography of Eugene and Phyllis Grams in South Africa, 1951–1962. Wipf and Stock Publishers. ISBN 978-1-4982-7336-7.
- 1 2 3 "Ed Louton". Ed Louton. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ↑ Feeders, Elmer (1976). "The Index of Notable Clergy". Religious Study Guide.
- 1 2 3 "Calvary Church Hosts Missionary Convention". Osceola County Herald. 1971-07-29. p. 9. Retrieved 2024-01-07 – via Central Michigan University Libraries.
- 1 2 3 "Edgar M. Louton". American Assemblies of God In South Africa - History. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ↑ "Evelyn Phyllis Grams". greenlawnfuneralhome.com. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
- 1 2 "M229: Ed and Barbara Louton". GoToNations. 2009. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Missionary to Speak At Assembly of God". Osceola County Herald. 1963-08-15. p. 2. Retrieved 2024-01-07 – via Central Michigan University Libraries.
- ↑ "Assemblies of God General Council Ministers Directory". Consortium of Pentecostal Archives. 1965-02-10. p. 378. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
- ↑ Papers from Assemblies of God Library Archives in Springfield, Missouri. Retrieved 2024-01-10
- ↑ staff, Flint Journal (2010-10-08). "Pastoring still a passion for 94-year-old Flushing man". mlive. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
- ↑ Staff, Columbia International University (2005). "CIU Alumni of the Year".