| Thomas Hezmalhalch | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 5, 1847 Paterson, New Jersey, United States of America |
| Died | 1934 |
| Occupation | Minister, Evangelist |
| Spouse | Charlotte Best |
Thomas Hezmalhalch (October 5, 1847–1934), usually known as Tom Hezmalhalch, was an American missionary, who together with John G. Lake founded the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa and was its first chairman and president. He was influenced by the healing ministry of John Alexander Dowie.
Hezmalhalch was born to English parents in Paterson, New Jersey. His father operated a munitions foundry and young Heznalhalch made shells for use by the Union soldiers during the American Civil War. [1] After the Civil War he spent time in Leeds, England, where he ministered as a preacher of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He married Charlotte Best and started a family while there. [2]
The Hezmalhalch's returned to California in 1884. Hezmalhalch purchased a property in Verdugo, now part of Glendale. He became the secretary to the local land improvement association. [1]
After returning to the United States he joined the Holiness Movement as a preacher and was baptized in the summer of 1906 Holy Spirit. He recounted the experience that one night while riding on a horse he experienced the presence of God and began speaking in an unknown tongue. He met John G. Lake about 1907. They became close friends despite a 22 year age difference. [2] [1]
In 1908 Hezmalhalch and John G. Lake where led by the Spirit to go to [South Africa]. Lake and Hezmalhalch started their ministry at a rental hall in Doornfontein, a Johannesburg suburb, on 25 May 1908. The services consisted of a mixed racial group and many who attended the first services were Zionists. These services formed the start of the Apostolic Faith Mission denomination (AFM) in South Africa. [2]
At the first meeting of the executive council of the new denomination on 27 May 1909, Hezmalalch was elected chairman of the AFM.[3]
Hezmalhalch was not a great preacher but he had a great influence on the early Pentecostal movement in South Africa. He left South Africa before Lake to return to the United States. [2]