Who's Who in Pentecost > Fauss, Orlin Ray (UPCI)


18 Jun 2013

 

Orlin Ray Fauss

United Pentecostal Church International

1927 ~ 2013

Orlin Ray Fauss was born in Port Arthur, Texas, August 13, 1927, to Oliver and Jewel Fauss. He was the youngest of three children. At the time of his birth, his father, Oliver F. Fauss, was already a well-known and successful minister in the rapidly growing, Oneness Apostolic movement.

 
Orlin was only one year old when his parents moved to Houston to begin Bethel Tabernacle. For the first five years, Bethel did not have a home. Most of these years were spent worshiping under tents, brush arbors, in public parks and rented halls. This time of sacrifice and joy helped to give Orlin an enduring vision and attitude in his own ministry years later. Early in his life, he had the wonderful opportunity to be personally acquainted with many of the pioneers of early Pentecost, dating back to the turn of the century.
 
He grew up participating in the establishment and growth of Bethel Tabernacle that had reached to over 200 members by 1940. After graduating from Milby High School in Houston, he attended and graduated from Apostolic Bible College in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While at Apostolic Bible College, Orlin traveled and did evangelistic ministry. During this time, he traveled with the Apostolic Quartet that consisted of James Kilgore, Roland Gardener, John David Williams and himself.
 
On August 8, 1945, Orlin married his childhood sweetheart from Houston, Lois Ivey. She joined him to finish his last year of Bible College. After the birth of their first son, Deryl, on December 26, 1946, he and his wife entered the full-time ministry as traveling evangelists. Their travels carried them throughout Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana in singing and ministry of the Word.
 
Brother and Sister Fauss served as pastor in churches in Diboll, Texas, Nacogdoches, Texas and Jena, Louisiana, before moving to Houston. During this period of time, their other sons, David and Gary, were born.
 
Brother O. R. Fauss and his family moved to Houston in January 1961, to assist his late father, Oliver F. Fauss, at Bethel Tabernacle. Just shortly after moving to Houston, his father experienced serious health problems and Orlin took over the full responsibility of pastor.
 
Because of the growth experienced under his leadership, a new sanctuary was built for Bethel Tabernacle at 14615 Aldine-Westfield Road in 1976. For over 50 years Pastor and Mrs. O.R. Fauss served Bethel Tabernacle in pastoral ministry. Over the years, thousands of people have been saved and touched by his powerful pastoral ministry. Many of these are scattered throughout churches in the Houston area and across the nation serving the Lord. Dozens of ministers and minister’s wives also came from under his ministry.
 
On September 12, 1964, tragedy struck the Fauss family when their oldest son, Deryl, was killed in an automobile accident at the age of 17. He had just received the Holy Ghost a few weeks before at a youth camp in Lufkin, Texas. This tragic event profoundly shaped the ministry of Brother Fauss with a new vision of eternity and desperation to reach men with this saving message of Jesus Christ.
 
In the following year, Pastor Orlin Fauss was asked to preach at General Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He preached one of the first evangelistic messages ever preached at a General Conference. The title of the message was The Value of a Soul. Many received the Holy Ghost that night. This service catapulted Brother Orlin Fauss’ ministry into the pulpits of large district, regional and national meetings for the next thirty years. He became well known for his conviction preaching and became one of the greatest evangelists of his time. His ministry saw many thousands saved as he gave himself to preaching all across our fellowship and around the world. Pastor Fauss preached in 201 conferences, camp meetings, youth camps and conventions.
 
In addition to serving in pastoral ministry and preaching large meetings, Brother Fauss also served as the first Youth President of the Texas District United Pentecostal Church. He served for many years as an instructor at Texas Bible College, writing and completing an extensive doctrinal study that he used as a curriculum for his classes. He also served for seven years on the United Pentecostal Church International Sunday School Curriculum Committee and served many years on the first Historical Committee for the UPCI helping to preserve our rich heritage.
 
Below is a list of states where O. R. Fauss ministered in camps or conferences. There were many states where he returned numerous times over the years.
 
• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas Camp Meetings and Y/C
• California
• Canada – Harvey Station
• Canada – Fredericton
• Connecticut
• Colorado
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Montana (Rocky Mountain)
• New York
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Rhode Island/Massachusetts
• South Carolina
• Texas Youth Camp
• Texico District Camp
• West Virginia
 
Bro. Fauss went home to be with the Lord on June 18, 2013

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