Bishop Abraham Isaac Jacob Swanson XII

 

On a certain June 30, Deacon Abraham I. J. Swanson XI, and Mother Lula Mae Swanson were blessed with a baby boy The family grew, and added were two more sons, John James and Ezekiel, and one girl, Gloria.

Elder Swanson stated that since his Mother thought enough of him to give him to God, he would stay with God. So he gave his life as a vessel for God, for His great works.

His education began in Clifton Elementary School and Pearl Senior High School in Nashville, TN. This was followed with special courses in religious education.

He was converted at the age of eight years, under the pastorate of his Grandfather, Elder Tom Lee of Duplex, TN. At nine years of age, he received and accepted the call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Elder Swanson preached his first sermon, using the text: Luke 15:18, and chose the subject: ”Prodigal Son.“  His public appearances at age three, singing his first solo: ”If You See My Savior, Tell Him You Saw Me.“

Pastor Swanson traveled extensively and became affectionately known as the ”Little Boy Preacher“ And because of his broad and infectious smile, he later was titled, ”The Little Preacher with the Big Smile.“

Cincinnati was the city the Lord told him to go to. New York was the other one, but Cincinnati was his choice. The Lord told him to "GO AND I WILL BLESS YOU."

Elder Swanson began his tent service in 1945, at the corner of Richmond and John Streets, and many souls were saved.  His first member was Sister Christine Nared Smith. On October 1946, we marched from the tent site at Richmond and John to 662 W. 5th Street, singing, ”I Am Tramping Trying To Make Heaven My Home.“  This is where he organized The Bible Way Church of God in Christ.

Later the church moved to 676 W. 5th Street, where the membership grew tremendously, and we maintained a packed house at every service.

Many miracles were wrought, and his fame spread all over the city. While on 5th Street, Elder Swanson became a radio personality of WZIP in Covington, KY. The church could be heard on this station early each Sunday morning.

The hour of their appearances on this station was very, very early each Sunday morning and the entire choir had to go to the studio to make the broadcast.

But each Sunday, early, you could hear Bible Way's Choir singing, ”When I Wake Up In Glory.“

Bible Way has been on the air continuously since that time.  Elder Swanson is not a selfish person, and neither is he ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He fellowships with other denominations, and preaches the same gospel to all. He brought to his people many famous and outstanding personalities from all over the nation.

In 1955, Bible Way had outgrown its 5th Street location. We moved to 868 Beecher Street in Walnut Hills. The church continued to grow, but there was a need to move.  We returned to the downtown area at 936 Linn Street, where we remained until 1957. Another need for a change arose, and we moved back to the Walnut Hills/Evanston area to our present location, 3231 Woodburn Avenue in 1958.

In the meantime, Elder Swanson was rearing three children Wayne, Patricia and Raphaela. He also moved from radio station WZIP to WCIN, and later to WHKK, then returned to WCIN, and till 2007 with WCIN each Sunday at 1:00 O'clock with "JESUS."

Many days of the week, you see him on TV in ”Let’s Talk About Jesus.“  His highlight of each day begins at 3:00 A.M. until 5:30 A.M. over Radio Station WCIN, with a program you'll get hooked on   (Listening one time).

The Bible Way Church of God in Christ has made magnifi cent strides all because of the dynamic leadership and ded ication of our Pastor, Elder Abraham I. J. Swanson, XII.

We have traveled and made several record albums, broadcasted continuously on radio stations. And Bible Way is now on TV weekly. Our building has been remodeled several times and we have purchased a parking lot and an additional building next door to the church.

His devoted wife, Mother Mary L. Swanson is an inspiration to him and to his church. Her sweet smile, melodious singing and fervent prayers are uplifting and beneficial to all.

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