Etta Calhoun: Devoted to the Call

By Elizabeth Hightower

"I do not ask to see the way my feet shall have to tread, but only that my soul may feast upon the Living Bread. 'Tis far better to walk with Him by faith close to His side—I may not know the way I go, but, Oh! I know my Guide!"—Etta Calhoun

Eighty years after its inception, Assemblies of God Women's Ministries is vibrant and far reaching, providing opportunities for the local church to touch the lives of women through outreach, ministry and discipleship. But who was the catalyst for this powerful movement?

In 1925, Etta Gray Fields Calhoun, a wife and mother from Texas, realized women could make a greater ministry impact together than they could ever make individually. She inspired Assemblies of God women across the United States and around the world to join forces.

Etta's story testifies to God's ability to place His extraordinary heart of compassion in an ordinary person. As you read about Etta's remarkable life, recognize God can use you in the same way! He turns small ideas into essential tools for furthering His Kingdom.

ON SEPTEMBER 19, 1870, a baby girl was born who, in the coming years of feminist unrest, would provide positive leadership for women who were more committed to doing God's work than to securing their own personal rights.

James and Louisa Gray were devout Methodists dedicated to spiritually training their six children. In their modest home in Marietta, Ohio, they taught Etta and her siblings to memorize Scripture—by the chapter.

Etta's compassion and willingness to help with ministry were evident as early as her teens. She traveled with the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) for five years, speaking, teaching and learning valuable lessons about leadership and organization.

At 26, Etta met her future husband, widower Marion Davis Fields, and his two young daughters. Once again, Etta put the needs of others before her own, delaying her marriage for three years while she cared for her ill mother and her younger siblings. She and Marion married in 1899 and over the next four years gave birth to a son, Marion Jr., and a daughter, Marie, who lived only a few months.

The Fields family soon moved to Houston, where Marion was a well-paid executive. His financial success gave Etta the freedom to reach out with compassion. In fact, Marion asked Etta each evening, "Well, Etta, who did we feed and clothe today?"

On Easter in 1905, Etta's parents attended a revival led by Charles F. Parham and received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Etta was concerned and traveled to her parents' home in Orchard, Texas, where she realized the Baptism was genuine and soon experienced it herself. Etta brought the exciting news back to her home church. She and her pastor led a study of the Baptism and revival broke out in her church, soon spreading to her entire town.

Etta's father died and she cared for her mother until she died two years later. Marion contracted a fatal illness and Etta devoted herself to caring for her husband. In 1921, after 22 years of marriage, he died.

Strengthened by the Holy Spirit, Etta's work in her community grew. When she attended a city-wide women's meeting of the Federation of Churches in Houston, she sensed the Holy Spirit telling her, "These women have eyes, but they can't see the possibilities. They have ears, but they can't hear My voice. But you have received the Holy Spirit and with My help, you can be used for God's glory!"

Etta organized the Women's Missionary Council in 1925 at the Full Gospel Mission, an Assemblies of God church in Houston. At the first meetings, the women dedicated themselves to interceding for missionaries, but they soon decided to put their faith into action. At Etta's urging, the women made clothes for the 300 children at Lillian Trasher's orphanage in Assiout, Egypt. When she was a child, Etta dreamed of being a missionary—now she contributed to missionary work around the world.

About this time, Etta began traveling to Assemblies of God districts, organizing Women's Missionary Councils in individual churches. In 1925, the women of the Texas-New Mexico District formed the first District Women's Missionary Council, electing Etta as director. In September, the General Council recognized the organization as the women's extension of the Assemblies of God, although official national status was not granted until the national department was established in 1951.

Not content to retire from God's work, Etta accepted an offer to teach at Southern California Bible School in 1935 and at Southern Bible Institute in 1938. In 1940, Etta developed pneumonia, but did not pray for healing. Instead, she said, "I want to be home with my family when the Lord calls for me." She died April 1, 1940.

Etta Calhoun knew ministry was more than organizing meetings, preaching sermons or sending money to missionaries—it was taking care of a dying mother or husband, sewing clothes for orphans and teaching young people to work for God. Etta was not just a visionary leader who pioneered the Women's Missionary Council, which became Assemblies of God Women's Ministries—she was an ordinary woman who surrendered herself to God's work and lived an extraordinary life.

Source: WMC History: 1925-1975, compiled by Anabel Manley.

"These women have eyes, but they can't see the possibilities. They have ears, but they can't hear My voice. But you have received the Holy Spirit and with My help, you can be used for God's glory!"