140 Years of Jesus in Idaho Falls

  In late 2023, the only Christian hospital in Gaza was frequently in the news.   Known as the Al-Ma ׳ amadani (“the Baptist”) Hospital, it was founded by Anglican missionaries in 1882 but for many decades in the 20 th century was operated by the Southern Baptist Convention. In the 1970’s Jesus sent a young woman from Idaho Falls to work in this hospital in Gaza.   Genita Fast and her family attended Calvary Baptist Church in Idaho Falls.   She was a skilled pianist and accompanied choirs at Calvary Baptist’s Christmas and Easter programs.   Genita graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1966, obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University in 1969 and then completed a 15-month program of the School of Physical Therapy at Baylor University Medical Center.   Jesus used her skills in the Baptist Hospital in Gaza. The following is taken from “People Living in Gaza Strip Learn of Jesus through Baptist Hospital,” The Post Register , July 18, 1975, p. A-8: "The peo

  During the summers of 1970 and 1971, Rev. Linfield Crowder, his sister Alice Foster and the Joe Dugone family travelled around the country presenting worship services entitled, “The Gospel in Art, Sermon and Song.”   Both the Crowder and Dugone families had strong ties to Idaho Falls.   Joe and Barbara Dugone moved to Idaho Falls in 1958 with their three young children.   Joe, a chemical engineer, had taken a job with the INL contractor Aerojet.   In Idaho Falls, Joe and Barbara were active in the Assembly of God church, then located on Garfield and Holmes, with Barbara leading the church choir.   When the family went on tour with the Crowders, the three kids were in high school or college.   Everyone in the Dugone family was talented musically.   Joe and Barbara sang frequently, as soloists and together, in services in their church, at union services, and at weddings, funerals and other community events.   As their kids grew older, they joined their parents in performances.   So

  Early in 1971, the pastor of the Idaho Falls Assembly of God Church, Rev. Russell V. Umphenour, wrote a column that was published in the Post Register. [1] It began: The United States of America is the greatest nation upon the earth as far as I am concerned.   I am glad to be one of its citizens.   There is a trend in America which is very disturbing, however.   Every honest citizen of our land must become aware of the direction we are headed spiritually, morally and economically.   If this sounds like a political speech – it isn’t.   It is the voice of a concerned minister of the gospel. There are seven deadly sins which are destroying our nation.   These sins are personal and with their accumulation are affecting the entire nation. They are as follows:           politics without principle;           pleasure without conscience;           knowledge without character;           wealth without work;           business without morality;           science without humanity; and