“In April of 1914, John G. Lake went to Hot Springs, Arkansas to participate in the formation of an association of Pentecostal fellowships that would become known as The Assemblies of God. Later in 1914, Lake would travel to London, England. While he was there he founded The International Apostolic Council. At the outbreak of World War 1 he was asked to leave England because of America’s neutrality.

For a little over one year he continued using the name International Apostolic Council, but in February of 1915, he decided to change the name to “The International Apostolic Congress” to lessen any confusion that might arise with “The General Council of The Assemblies of God”. This name was used as the umbrella organization for all churches started by Lake or anyone that affiliated with him until he died in 1935. Lake’s main work was centered in Spokane, Washington.

In 1934, less than a year before his death, he announced the founding of what he called a “School of the Prophets”. (This term was regularly used by Apostolic or Pentecostal people as a generic name for a Bible School.)  When I (Wilford Reidt) came under Dr. Lake’s ministry in 1931, I knew I had finally found what I had been looking for. Later I married his daughter Gertrude and we set about to re-establish and perpetuate Dr. Lake’s ministry by publishing most of the sermons he had preached. His wife Florence had been a stenographer and had taken down his sermons in shorthand from the front pew. We decided to keep the organizational name as it was when he died, until such a time as someone that would pick up the ministry and carry it on in it’s intended fashion came along. This corresponded with a prophecy that was given by Lake one year to the day before he died. Because of that prophecy and how closely you fit it and because of the way in which you have pursued the anointing that Lake carried, I decided, after over nine months of prayer to allow you to pick up the ministry and revert it back to it’s original name.

Gertrude and I wanted someone that would not only keep the ministry alive and going, but who also seemed to have the hunger and committment to see it become what it was intended to be, which was a fellowship of churches and ministries of all kinds that could join together and discuss various topics without becoming a denomination. The perpetuation of the healing ministry was also a great concern for us. While we have seen many healings, I know my own ministry has never come close to the degree of intensity that Lake had for the gospel of healing. I only pray that you will continue to pursue the healing ministry with fervor.”

Wilford H. Reidt Nov. 1986