Another Soldiers Coming Home by Evangelist Rod Vincent January 2010
This month I would like to honor a great missionary evangelist and pastor. That would be Rev. B.H. Clendennen.
Brother Clendennen went home to be with his commander and chief Jesus on Sunday December 13, 2009. Brother Clendennen fulfilled one of his classic sermons, "Another Soldiers Coming Home".
I had the privilege along with many South Texas ministers to attend his homecoming. Pastor Robert Turnage and brother Clendennen's son Larry did a classic message and charge to continue the message of the cross and to continue his mission to fulfill the great commission.
Brother Clendennen was a WWII veteran and purple heart recipient; enrolled in the National Purple Heart of Honor; and also an Admiral in the Texas Navy.
Brother Clendennen served his country with great pride. But being a soldier of Calvary's Army was his proudest accomplishment in this world. As a minister, brother Clendennen raised Calvary's banner high and lifted up. His action of life has raised the bar for all ministers to strive for.
I have deeply been given a challenge that we never let Calvary's cross down and that we continue to march under the banner of Calvary and not a Crescent moon.
In the midst of the fear of principalities, powers, spiritual wickedness, and rulers of darkness brother Clendennen left us a legacy inside every Pentecostal preacher, "he feared nothing but God".
In April of 2009 in his last convention, he walked over to Pastor Robert Turnage and said to him "do it like we used to". In other words stir up the Holy Ghost and have church! Brother Clendennen expected to have church when he went to the Fathers house. He also expected to hear something from God.
I was honored to preach two youth camps, one ski retreat for his youth and preached for him at Victory Temple. As a young evangelist I felt like a rookie following Babe Ruth to the plate. In a service one night I really hoped brother Clendennen would be in Russia, but to my knees knocking he walked in and sat on the front row that night.
I attempted to preach that night and would hope that I would not embarrass him or God, plus myself. I knew if I had said something, that brother Clendennen would sit up on his seat and point his finger at me!
Finally after what seem like a month, preaching 25 minutes, sweating buck shots, trembling legs, and preaching my guts out hoping for just one amen, he finally pointed his finger at me. I preached 5 more minutes and got out of Dodge.
Brother Clendennen made you show up with your "A" game and proud to be a solider of the cross and to fear nothing but God.
We give honor to Sister Janice Clendennen. Behind every great man is a great woman. We give honor to brother Clendennen's daughter Brenda Turnage and Pastor Robert Turnage his son-in-law. We give honor to his son Larry and his family.
On behalf of The South Texas District of the Assemblies of God and every preacher he touched, we thank you for sharing brother Clendennen for all these years.
We have not lost a soldier, Heaven has gained "Another Solders Coming Home"!
In His Service,
S. TX District Evangelist Representative Evangelist Rod Vincent
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