Our History
Our History
Robert and Mary Craig, founders of Glad Tidings Temple and Bible Institute, were part of a religious movement that since the early 1900’s has become the largest branch of contemporary Protestantism. The history of this part of Christianity is remarkable, and so is the history of the development of Glad Tidings Church. This movement emphasized that GOD could be a part of every area of life, that GOD could be experienced, and that this experience would be a powerful tool to build your faith.
Robert and Mary Craig were not limited by any one tradition. Their cutting edge leadership, clear vision and extensive influence brought rapid, but solid growth to GT at an unsettled time in the City. And their consistency made GT quickly emerge as an important part of metropolitan San Francisco.
Glad Tidings Church began in 1913. The people who attended GT at that time were swept into this incredible experience with GOD. It wasn’t just a philosophy with the Craig’s. They themselves were not afraid of incorporating fresh ideas and new thought into the foundation of GT. In fact, Robert Craig personally experienced GOD’s power when he was dramatically healed of terminal TB.
He had a vision to build a church and later a training institute whose impact would eventually bring 100,000 people into experiencing a real God in real ways. With tenacity and passion he and his wife, Mary, worked hand-in-hand to see the current facility built in 1923 and quickly filled with hungry people who found that same life and transformational power. The Craig’s exemplified a rare blend of persistence, courage and sensitivity. GT embraced their dual leadership, which reflected the free and open nature of their ministry, and is still evident in today’s Glad Tidings Church. At the time of his death in 1941 “the Tabernacle” was one of the largest churches in United States. Other great and godly men and women ministered at what came to be called Glad Tidings Temple. People such as: Aimee Semple McPherson, Donald Gee, Maria Woodworth-Etter, Smith Wigglesworth, and Charles Price.
GT has not always been bustling. There have been lean years. But people were faithful and the church was sustained.
In 2000, the Beisers were brought to Glad Tidings and things began to change. The transformation has been gradual. These past 10 years have presented many challenges, and nothing has happened overnight.
Yet, today, every person who walks through the doors of GT can feel the forward momentum of this church in every single meeting. It’s undeniable. It’s palpable. You can see and hear something exciting! It’s the sound of marching. GT is marching forward at a pace that’s quickening all the time. We can sense it. We can see it! We can hear it when the Mass Choir sings or when we run out of chairs for people on Sunday morning or when another fresh story comes out that declares that the same God who stirred Robert Craig to build this church — is moving again. HE is changing lives. Hope is filling the air. Faith is being built in life after life. The “Glad Tidings” is going out and being proclaimed in this beautiful city. Not with a bull horn or street preaching. It’s being preached through the proclamation of hundreds of changed lives.
God’s Book says that what is happening now will be greater than what has happened in the past. There have been some years when that was tough to believe, but not anymore!
We are on the brink of a miracle at GT. 2010 is a year of great growth and restoration and beyond.
-
Here are a list of the “Hero’s of GT,” our Pastors
- Robert and Mary Craig – Pastors from 1913 to 1941
- Leland R. Keys – Pastor from 1941 to 1953
- Nelson E. Hinman – Pastor from 1954 to 1956
- Donald F. Lehmann – Pastor from 1956 to 1959
- Floyd W. Thomas – Pastor from 1959 to 1979
- Melvin T. Johnson – Pastor from 1980 to 1996
- Timothy Zemanek – Pastor from 1996 to 1998
- Jeff Green – Pastor from 1998 to 1999
- Forrest and Christina Beiser – Pastors from 2000 to present