"During the Progressive Era, a period of unprecedented ingenuity, women evangelists built the old time religion with brick and mortar, uniforms and automobiles, fresh converts and devoted protégés. Across America, entrepreneurial women founded churches, denominations, religious training schools, rescue homes, rescue missions, and evangelistic organizations. Until now, these intrepid women have gone largely unnoticed, though their collective yet unchoreographed decision to build institutions in the service of evangelism marked a seismic shift in American Christianity. In this ground-breaking study, Priscilla Pope-Levison dusts off the unpublished letters, diaries, sermons, and yearbooks of these pioneers to share their personal tribulations and public achievements. The effect is staggering. With an uncanny eye for essential details and a knack for historical nuance, Pope-Levison breathes life into not just one or two of these women, but two dozen. The evangelistic empire of Aimee Semple McPherson represents the pinnacle of this shift from itinerancy to institution building. Her name remains legendary. Yet she built her institutions on the foundation of the work of women evangelists who preceded her. Their stories -- untold until now -- reveal the cunning and strength of women who forged a path for every generation, including our own, to follow."--Back cover.

The subject of "women in ministry" has attracted considerable attention in the past half-century of Western Christianity. While much of the debate has centered around ordination and female pastors, few works have focused specifically on female deacons. A Case for Female Deacons challenges reformed and evangelical Christians to accept the legitimacy of female deacons without getting distracted by the more controversial debate about female pastors. The heart of the book contains a thorough exegesis of key passages and a fascinating look at what the church believed about deacons in centuries past. As a graduate thesis, readers will find a cohesive, logical argument supported by a wealth of scholarly research. As a contemporary work in theology, many complementarians and traditionalists will be challenged to revise their position. The end result is a compelling biblical, theological, and historical case for female deacons.

In the late 1800s a supremely qualified woman educator and administrator made an unforgettable imprint on well-known missionaries, educators, and preachers. Emma Dryer worked with Pacific Garden Mission's George and Sarah Clarke, Methodist deaconess Lucy Rider Meyer, Wheaton College President Charles Blanchard, Anna Spafford--whose husband wrote the beloved hymn It is Well with My Soul--and many others. However, her greatest achievement came from her divinely guided association with evangelist Dwight L. Moody. Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, with its compelling and far-reaching ministries, would undoubtedly not exist today if not for the driving missionary fervor of Emma Dryer. Her story is finally being told in light of this association. A close examination of her ministry relationship with Mr. Moody reveals the interconnected aspects of their lives from a viewpoint never before written. This includes examining their leadership styles and effectiveness in modern day terms as well as contrasting their learning styles, strengths, and weaknesses as both evangelist and educator. This book represents the first biography of Emma Dryer's life with undying evidence of the answered prayers of a noble and virtuous woman who dedicated her life to serve and honor Christ until his eminent return.