History of the Publishing Ministry

The publication ministry of the Apostolic Faith church had a humble but significant beginning. In the city of Los Angeles, soon after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in 1906, thousands of inquiries began to flood the Azusa Street mission from people who wanted to know more about the Latter Rain Gospel. The publishing of a church paper, containing teachings from the Word of God and reports from the meetings at the mission, seemed to be the best answer.

Without mention to the public of the much-needed finances, and without a cent in sight with which to launch a publication work, Christian workers, including our founder, Florence Crawford, went on their knees and asked God to send the means. Contributions began coming in through the mail, and soon the work of editing the paper was on its way.

Florence Crawford felt the call of God to move to Portland, Oregon, and made her initial contact here in 1906. In 1908, she moved to Portland. At that time, the Azusa Street ministry turned over the responsibility of publishing The Apostolic Faith paper to her, so she brought that work and the mailing list with her. Funds were low, but God assured her that He would provide the way. She stepped out in faith, with only ten cents on hand, and in July of 1908, the first paper to be issued from the Portland headquarters was published. The first foreign editions of the paper, in the Norwegian and German languages, were printed in the same year.

The Apostolic Faith Church acquired a location at Front and Burnside in 1908. The workers began hand-folding and wrapping Gospel literature, which had been printed in a commercial plant, and then mailed it worldwide. In 1917, a small press was purchased, enabling some of the printing to be done on site. In 1919, a large Miehle press was installed, and the first edition of the paper was printed in our own plant.

Today, computers, a process camera, and high-speed presses have replaced the antiquated means of publishing used in 1908. The original name of our regular publication, The Apostolic Faith, has been changed—we now call it the Higher Way. The message, however, is still the same: God offers salvation, peace, and hope in our troubled world.