Rev. Clifton Galiher marks milestone of six decades in Ministry

Jan. 28, 2013 - PRLog -- In 1952 Rev. Clifton Galiher took a Bible in one hand and a guitar in the other and started preaching on the street corner in a sleepy little farm town in southern Illinois. He stood tall among his peers as his passionate preaching resounded loudly, echoing off the concrete streets and brick builidings, in the small town square of Fairfield. This was the beginning of what would become a 'tried in the fire' ministry that touched countless lives of common 'folks' in the heartland of America. The fields would be 'set on fire' with the Holy Ghost power that 'broke forth' in brush arbors, tent revivals and small chruches in the farmlands of Southern Illinois.

Pastor Galiher planted churches all over farm communities in southern Illinois and then moved to the city, Granite City, that is and pastored one of the largest evangelical pentecostal holiness churches of its time. He was instrumental in the early days of bus ministry, which was a mission of local churches to reach into the inner city population and bring the kids to church that normally would not have been able to attend. Unitil that time, churches had primarily focused on families that had grown up in those local assemblies but Clifton Galiher chose to reach 'outside the box' and give kids and families a chance to become part of a church family. Hundreds of those 'bus kids' became converts and some of them went to Bible School and then into full time ministry. Others would attend college and Universities, begin their careers, start families and became a vibrant part of The Bethel Chapel Pentecostal Church in Granite City, IL.

Passion has always been a trademark of Rev.Galihers preaching style. It is impossible to listen to this man of God declare the Gospel (The Good News) without being overwhelmed with a desire to follow The Christ that he preaches about. Personal stories...Illustrations.... Doctrine... and an Amazing knowledge of the Bible proved to make this 'fiery preacher' a fascinating mouthpiece of The Pentecostal Holiness movement in America. His authority in the pulpit coupled with his personal compassion for 'the lost', has caused him to stand out in the dusty streets and neighborhoods of Mid- America and to boldly proclaim this Gospel to believers around the world through mighty revivals, campmeetings, church conferences and recorded sermons that have been sent to the four corners of the earth. Thousands have heard the message both young and old - rich and poor - blue collar and white collar yet, Rev. Galiher remains, 'The Pastor to the Common Man'.....
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This is Part 1 of a 3 Part series {excerpts} taken from 'Writings of A Preacher's Son' by steve galiher.... more to come, focusing on the many miracles that Rev.Galiher witnessed in his early ministry, including a woman being raised from the dead'.... also.....His Life and Family, including 54 years of marriage to 'the love of his life' Bessie Marie ( and the lives, careers and ministries of His children and grandchildren.... all that is to come in part 2 and 3.....