Gerald Archie Mangun
Encyclopedia
Gerald Archie Mangun better known as G. A. Mangun. He is remembered for building one of the largest churches in the United Pentecostal Church International
organization, in the city of Alexandria, Louisiana
.
to Walter Mangun and Bertha Birk Mangun. He was one of seven children; Woodrow Riddle, Mildred (Mangun) Shock, Gladys (Mangun) Starkweather, Grace (Mangun) Coleman, Dr. Ruth (Mangun) Holland, and Martha (Mangun) Spencer. After graduating from Lincoln High School in Plymouth, Indiana
, in 1938, G. A. Mangun attended Apostolic Bible Institute in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was ordained as a minister in 1942.
in Lou-Ann, Arkansas. Occasions to minister began to open in Indiana and Ohio, then in Louisiana
and Texas. He preached at many revivals in small towns in Louisiana such as Starks, Clarks, Eros, and Hodge. He next traveled to Diboll, Texas. There he met Vesta Layne Gibson, a preacher's daughter, whom he married on September 10, 1943.
Together, they traveled from state to state for seven years, in places such as St. Louis, Missouri; West Monroe, Provençal, and Camp Eight, Louisiana; Zavalla and Lufkin, Texas; Dequincy, Louisiana, and back to his home state of Indiana in Gary, Plymouth, and Mishawaka; and on to Sunberry, Pennsylvania, where he received a call from Rev. Pardue to hold a revival in his church located in Alexandria, Louisiana.
The Manguns' only child, Anthony, was born in January 1950.
From 1951 to 2007 Mangun served as the Presbyter over the United Pentecostal Churches in the Louisiana District's Section 7, comprising approximately 35 churches in the Central Louisiana area. He also served as a member of the District Board of the Louisiana District United Pentecostal Church. He was the longest tenured District Board member in any District in United Pentecostal Church history. Following his retirement he was named as an Honorary Member of that Board. It was about this time that the title of Bishop was bestowed upon him, in recognition of his son Anthony taking over as Senior Pastor of the Alexandria congregation.
He served the United Pentecostal Church International as a member of its Foreign Missions Board beginning in 1982. He also served a single term as an Executive Presbyter of the UPCI General Board during 1986-87.
In September 2004, he was inducted into the United Pentecostal Church International's "Order of the Faith," – a prestigious award honoring him "for outstanding achievement and exemplary service."
During Mangun's almost 60 year tenure as pastor of The Pentecostals of Alexandria, his congregation became most known for its music and the Easter
production, Messiah
.
President Bill Clinton
and Hillary attended once while he was governor of Arkansas, and he made a return visit during his presidency.
Peter Jennings
attended the production while researching the ABC special Peter Jennings Reporting: The Search for Jesus".
Commemorating Bishop Mangun’s 70th birthday, then City of Alexandria Mayor, Ned Randolph
declared March 11, 1989 "G. A. Mangun Day." In 2002, the Louisiana National Guard presented Mangun with a Civilian Service Medal for his service to his community and nation.
Louisiana Senator David Vitter
entered into the official Congressional Record
of the United States of America a remembrance of G. A Mangun on June 23, 2010 for recognition of his service to his community.
United Pentecostal Church International
The United Pentecostal Church International is a Pentecostal Christian denomination, headquartered in the St. Louis suburb of Hazelwood, Missouri. It is a part of the Oneness or "Apostolic" portion of the Pentecostal Movement, and was formed in 1945 by a merger of the former Pentecostal Church,...
organization, in the city of Alexandria, Louisiana
Alexandria, Louisiana
Alexandria is a city in and the parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. It is the principal city of the Alexandria metropolitan area which encompasses all of Rapides and Grant parishes....
.
Early life
Mangun was born in La Paz, IndianaLa Paz, Indiana
La Paz is a town in North Township, Marshall County, Indiana, United States. The population was 561 at the 2010 census. The town was founded in 1873 and was named for La Paz, Bolivia. At the time of its founding, it was served by the Chicago branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, now CSX...
to Walter Mangun and Bertha Birk Mangun. He was one of seven children; Woodrow Riddle, Mildred (Mangun) Shock, Gladys (Mangun) Starkweather, Grace (Mangun) Coleman, Dr. Ruth (Mangun) Holland, and Martha (Mangun) Spencer. After graduating from Lincoln High School in Plymouth, Indiana
Plymouth, Indiana
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 9,840 people, 3,838 households, and 2,406 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,414.0 people per square mile . There were 4,100 housing units at an average density of 589.2 per square mile...
, in 1938, G. A. Mangun attended Apostolic Bible Institute in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was ordained as a minister in 1942.
Early Ministry
After leaving bible college, Mangun traveled south, where he held a Christian revivalChristian revival
Christian revival is a term that generally refers to a specific period of increased spiritual interest or renewal in the life of a church congregation or many churches, either regionally or globally...
in Lou-Ann, Arkansas. Occasions to minister began to open in Indiana and Ohio, then in Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
and Texas. He preached at many revivals in small towns in Louisiana such as Starks, Clarks, Eros, and Hodge. He next traveled to Diboll, Texas. There he met Vesta Layne Gibson, a preacher's daughter, whom he married on September 10, 1943.
Together, they traveled from state to state for seven years, in places such as St. Louis, Missouri; West Monroe, Provençal, and Camp Eight, Louisiana; Zavalla and Lufkin, Texas; Dequincy, Louisiana, and back to his home state of Indiana in Gary, Plymouth, and Mishawaka; and on to Sunberry, Pennsylvania, where he received a call from Rev. Pardue to hold a revival in his church located in Alexandria, Louisiana.
The Manguns' only child, Anthony, was born in January 1950.
Establishing the Legacy
By June 1950, Mangun was elected Pastor of the First United Pentecostal Church in Alexandria, Louisiana (now known as The Pentecostals of Alexandria). At that time the small church was located at 16th and Day Streets, and was home to a congregation of only 38 adult members. Today, the church campus is situated on Rapides Avenue, and includes a Family Life Center, the G. A. Mangun Center – an auditorium and education building, and the main sanctuary which seats approximately 2,500 people.From 1951 to 2007 Mangun served as the Presbyter over the United Pentecostal Churches in the Louisiana District's Section 7, comprising approximately 35 churches in the Central Louisiana area. He also served as a member of the District Board of the Louisiana District United Pentecostal Church. He was the longest tenured District Board member in any District in United Pentecostal Church history. Following his retirement he was named as an Honorary Member of that Board. It was about this time that the title of Bishop was bestowed upon him, in recognition of his son Anthony taking over as Senior Pastor of the Alexandria congregation.
He served the United Pentecostal Church International as a member of its Foreign Missions Board beginning in 1982. He also served a single term as an Executive Presbyter of the UPCI General Board during 1986-87.
In September 2004, he was inducted into the United Pentecostal Church International's "Order of the Faith," – a prestigious award honoring him "for outstanding achievement and exemplary service."
During Mangun's almost 60 year tenure as pastor of The Pentecostals of Alexandria, his congregation became most known for its music and the Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
production, Messiah
Messiah
A messiah is a redeemer figure expected or foretold in one form or another by a religion. Slightly more widely, a messiah is any redeemer figure. Messianic beliefs or theories generally relate to eschatological improvement of the state of humanity or the world, in other words the World to...
.
President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
and Hillary attended once while he was governor of Arkansas, and he made a return visit during his presidency.
Peter Jennings
Peter Jennings
Peter Charles Archibald Ewart Jennings, CM was a Canadian American journalist and news anchor. He was the sole anchor of ABC's World News Tonight from 1983 until his death in 2005 of complications from lung cancer...
attended the production while researching the ABC special Peter Jennings Reporting: The Search for Jesus".
Community Service
Over the course of his lifetime in Alexandria, he served as Chaplain for the Louisiana State Police (Troop E), the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Department, and the Civil Air Patrol. He was a member of the Rapides Parish Airport Authority and the Alexandria Port Authority. He also served as a member of the St. Francis Cabrini Hospital’s Advisory Board. He officiated at the first burial in Alexandria Memorial Gardens.Commemorating Bishop Mangun’s 70th birthday, then City of Alexandria Mayor, Ned Randolph
Ned Randolph
Edward Gordon "Ned" Randolph, Jr. , is a veteran Democratic politician who served as the mayor of Alexandria in central Louisiana from 1986 to 2006. Randolph was also a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1972 to 1976 and the Louisiana State Senate from 1976 to 1984...
declared March 11, 1989 "G. A. Mangun Day." In 2002, the Louisiana National Guard presented Mangun with a Civilian Service Medal for his service to his community and nation.
Louisiana Senator David Vitter
David Vitter
David Vitter is the junior United States Senator from Louisiana and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, he served in the United States House of Representatives, representing the suburban Louisiana's 1st congressional district. He served as a member of the Louisiana House of...
entered into the official Congressional Record
Congressional Record
The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published by the United States Government Printing Office, and is issued daily when the United States Congress is in session. Indexes are issued approximately every two weeks...
of the United States of America a remembrance of G. A Mangun on June 23, 2010 for recognition of his service to his community.