Ambrose Jessup Tomlinson | |
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![]() A.J. Tomlinson | |
Born | Ambrose Jessup Tomlinson September 22, 1865 Westfield, Indiana |
Died | October 2, 1943 Cleveland, Tennessee | (aged 78)
Occupation(s) | General overseer Bishop Pastor Evangelist |
Spouse | Mary Jane (Taylor) Tomlinson |
Children | Halcy Tomlinson, Homer A. Tomlinson, Iris Tomlinson, Milton A. Tomlinson |
Religion | Pentecostal Christian |
Ordained | Christian Union (Camp Creek, North Carolina), later known as the Church of God of Prophecy |
Congregations served | North Cleveland Church of God, Cleveland, TN |
Offices held | General Overseer, Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) (1903–1923) General Overseer, Church of God of Prophecy (1903–1943) |
Title | Bishop |
Ambrose Jessup (A.J.) Tomlinson (September 22, 1865 – October 2, 1943), a former Quaker, united with the Holiness Church at Camp Creek in 1903. With his drive, vision, and organizational skills, he was elected the first general overseer of the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) in 1903. He also served as the first president of the church's Lee College, later known as Lee University (1918–1922). In 1923, Tomlinson was impeached, causing a division which led to the creation, by followers of Tomlinson, of what would become the Church of God of Prophecy.[1][2][3]
Under the fiery Ambrose Jessup Tomlinson of Cleveland, Tenn., the Church of God of A. J. Tomlinson seceded from the Church of God in 1923, now claims a million communicants in 23 countries. Outsiders know its excitable members as "holy rollers." It "emphasizes salvation, sanctification, baptism of the Holy Spirit, and healing by faith if you have it. Otherwise call a doctor."