Agape Force, 1979-1982
Just in case you were wondering that my days in the Agape Force were just a figment of my imagination, here are some pictures to prove that I actually served from 1979 to 1982. Thanks to Shawn Wallace and the technology of Facebook for the last two pictures.
Crystal Springs Institute Class of 1979
Lunch Time in Tacoma, Washington
In the top photo; is that you 4th from the right in the front row (squatting/prone)?
Yes, it is. It’s hard to believe that thirty years have gone by.
Hi, I was in the Agape Force in 1980. I was one of the first three missionaries that they sent out from the church. I lived with 17 girls in a big house on L St, and we did the free soup suppers. I remember the people in the picture with lunch time in Tacoma next to it. I went down to Texas to the Agape Force Ranch back then when Barry McGuire was in the Agape Force. I would like to hear from anyone in the group back then. I was wanting to know what happened to the Agape Force. I am on facebook too. Blessings, Carolyn Longgrear
Dear Carolyn:
I arrived in Tacoma during the snowstorm in January, 1980 after CSI. I had to walk up the hill to the guys house in the snow because the bus from the airport could not make it up the hill. Later, I served in Turlock, CA., Tacoma and Olympia, WA., El Paso, TX., and Columbus, OH. I have been able to reconnect with many of my AF buddies on Facebook. There is an Agape Force Facebook group which will help you “re-make friends” with all your old friends. If you cannot locate the group, just look up my name and ask to connect.
Glenn
Hi Glen, I will get on Facebook, and see if I can get into the Agape Force group. I am so happy to hear from you. I have tears in my eyes, as I think of the days I was in the Agape Force, and everyone. It would be great to be in touch with them again. Thank you for the info. I arrived in Tacoma during the snow storm Jan 1980. It was just a short time later I met people from the Agape Force. I believe I am in the lunch time picture above in the very back. The salad dressing bottle is blocking part of me in the picture. Carolyn
Hello Glen, I wasn’t able to find the right Agape Force group on Facebook. I tried to find you on there, and all I found was athletes. Could you request me as a friend on there? I really want to find all those that I was in the Agape Force with. I am sure you won’t have any trouble finding me on there. Carolyn
I was one of the youth that the AF lead to Christ and some of my friends as well. I went to the church in Tacoma on K st. when Greg L. & Anette were the pastor and wife there. I grew up on the hill top area and if it wasn’t for the force, I don’t know if I would have been saved / began the journey. I still have friends (we all went there at some point or time) and many still follow the Lord. I was in High School when I received one of the tickets for a concert and that is how it all began. I remember some of the guys in the house and recognize a couple of the faces above.
Jerome, it is good to hear from you. I enjoyed my time in Tacoma/Olympia (1980-81). The door-to-door witnessing, the street outreaches, and the camaraderie among friends, new and old, are memories that I value today. I am so grateful that the Lord used the ministry of AF in you and your friends’ lives. Sometimes you wonder how many lives were affected by our ministry and to know that you came to know Christ through our outreach is incredibly encouraging.
Woody Shoemaker was my leader in 1974 is he still around??
I knew about Woody, but I don’t recall working with him. Check out the Agape Force alumni page on Facebook, many of the old gang post people updates there.
Glenn
Hi my name is Charla and I was at the Agape Force missionary training school in Lindale, TX when Ed Brewer was the head of the school. Early 80’s. Does anyone know where he is or how to get ahold of him?
Charla:
Might try asking about Ed Brewer on the Agape Force Alumni page on Facebook. Several people have mentioned Ed in their comments and posts, but I don’t see any status updates.
Glenn
I am super late in reading your blog, Glenn. (Hiiii) To Charla…. I’m sorry to announce that Ed Brewer passed away one or two years ago from a heart attack in the Dallas area. I went through the training school from June – Dec 1980.
Sean I don’t know if you remember me or not my name is Jim Collins I was in agape force Olympia with you I was roommates with Steve Mckenzie upstairs in the Clyde apartments Don Chrumb was the pastor
Jim, I was in Tacoma, Washington, from early 1980 to mid-1981 under Greg Lanson. I worked in Olympia for a few months with Don but I mostly lived in Tacoma. We worked out of that downtown building, the old Eagles’ Lodge, and went door-to-door fundraising in Southern California. It was a good time, but also a confusing time, and a time for significant spiritual growth. Glenn
I did my training in Crystal Springs Institute, Term 1 and 2, Lindale, Texas in the early 1980’s. Dean Harvey was in my school. It was a life changing experience. After graduating I was on staff doing outreach in Portsmouth, Virginia.
So much fun reading all your posts. I was not part of Shape Force but I was very familiar with Grublet’s Hideaway in Lindale as I went there a lot during my DTS training at the YWAM base. Later I moved to Dayspring in Tyler and Dean Harvey married my husband and I in 1986. My daughters and I shared many happy memories playing and singing Candle songs. My oldest daughter played in Antshillvania too.
Glenn, I remembers the Agape Force it was in Tacoma down town at the eagle. I remember AF going on Fort Lewis , Army base. I remember name Sherry that was missionary for AF, John Mulkern, was Chaplain assistant on Fort Lewis. In Tacoma. I did give my life to the Lord, be came born again, and fill with Holy Spirit . I can’t forget all children music by Candle, and train that talk about fruit of the spirit . Amen to Jesus Mary
I was part of the group that visited Fort Lewis. The base was the most fertile field for evangelism I ever encountered. Many old AFer’s talk on Facebook, so you may want to reach out to the ones you know.