 This
collection of sacred poems is
affectionately dedicated to
the memory of Rudolph Kalis,
who with his wife was founder
and pastor of Emmanuel Pentecostal
Church at Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Born December 27, 1901, he first
came to Elizabeth in 1929. He
served as pastor of the German-English
congregation of the Ebenezer
Pentecostal Church (later Evangel
Church). Then for almost forty
years, until his home going
on July 17, 1975, he faithfully
ministered to the Emmanuel congregation.
A
very integral part of his preaching
ministry was his recitation
of sacred poetry. His ability
to memorize long poems never
diminished. He often would clinch
his sermon by reciting one or
another of the poems included
here.
These
poems show clearly the burden
of his preaching. Rudolph was
an activist for Christ and sought
to inspire his congregation
to be active for Christ. What
he sought to inspire in others,
he exemplified himself.
The
poems themselves have been gathered
from his notes, from devotional
books, especially "Streams
in the Desert" by Mrs.
Charles Cowman, and from the
memories of those who sat under
his ministry and can never forget
his poetic recitations.
Perhaps
some of the short untitled poems
at the close of this collection
belong to longer works which
we have not been able to find,
but we have included them as
remembered in order to expedite
this collection. We pray that
God may bless this little memorial
by inspiring His people to do
His will.
~~Robert
D. Kalis
Thanksgiving Day,
1975
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