The Story of R.J and Ferrol White

On the evening of August 20, 2020 the skies cleared, the rain stopped, and the waters of Sylvan Lake glistened at their finest. We had gathered around a newly installed bench on the Sunnyside Camp shore. It had been placed there by the White and Johnson families in memory of Rev. Robert J. and Ferrol White. I had the distinct honour of sharing in this commemorative act.

But who exactly were the Whites and why would we be honouring them in this way? It is important to understand that no generation emerges in a vacuum. No family develops its characteristics without the benefit of a history, whether they know the details or not. We are all greatly influenced by the past. It was gratifying to have a good representation of great grandchildren at this special event.

Robert (R.J.) (Irish) White was born at Castlehill, County Donegal, Northern Ireland on September 7, 1907, in the shadow of Burt Castle. In 1912, like many, who were struggling financially, R.J.’s maternal grandparents and several other members of the family sold out in Ireland and emigrated to Canada, settling in an area around Swift Current, Saskatchewan.

In 1916, the Easter Rebellion broke out, precipitating six years of lawlessness and violence. R.J. joined the Orange order, quickly becoming a Deputy Master by age 17. Even then, at an early age, his leadership gifting was apparent. It was a brutal time. Almost every Protestant farm was raided by the Sein Fein, properties destroyed, and many of the unarmed Irish Constabulary were murdered. Hatred and recrimination were rampant. 

[Incidentally, it was at this time that my own father ‘Thomas Downey’ emigrated with his family to Canada from County Armagh to escape this tumultuous time in Ireland.]

During those days, a group from the Presbyterian Scottish Faith Mission held evangelistic services in the Castlehill area. Convicted by the preaching, R.J began to read the Bible. One night alone at home he prayed, ‘Lord, I don’t think you can save me. I am too bad. But I want to serve you anyway.’* Thus, began his journey as a follower of Christ.

Following his Dad’s tragic death in 1927 and disillusioned by the prospects of a bleak future in Ireland, he impulsively boarded a ship for Canada. His first job in the new land was hoeing potatoes on a farm north of Toronto, his second was in the Red Lake gold rush serving as a ‘bullcook,’ and later as a ‘bargeman’ on the Snake River. These were survival years where the raw Canadian weather tested his physical stamina, and the notorious miners and foresters tested his faith. Here he developed his ‘pioneer mettle.’

Finally, R.J.’s deep desire to train for ministry brought him to the prairies where the family members who had immigrated earlier were located. Around Swift Current, he added another skill to his repertoire, ‘stooking grain.’ Hungry for God, he attended Sunday services and weekday prayer meetings whenever he got the opportunity. One such afternoon meeting was Pentecostal (unbeknownst to him) and this encounter with the ‘Holy Rollers’ led him to enroll in Bible College in Winnipeg. It was during his first year in college that he received the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

When he finished his training, he felt compelled to return to the Red Lake area as a missionary. Despite opposition, mockery and threats, he and another young student named Art Downing held open air meetings. His faithfulness in sharing the Word of God provided him an opportunity to serve as a missionary in ‘relief camps’ under the Canadian Army.

During Bible College, R.J. had met a young lady named Ferrol Crandall. He had asked her to marry him and she had agreed with one proviso, that he prove himself in ministry first. That being accomplished they were married in Brandon, Manitoba.

Following the wedding, the young couple sought a place of ministry. In 1934, they agreed to lead a few people who had come to the Lord in Salmon Arm, B.C. It was in the height of the Great Depression and often the Whites went hungry. Their salary for the first year of ministry was under $100.00. From these ministry beginnings, they moved to Merritt, then to Vernon, where they built the present church. Sickness hit their home and their children, now three in number (Samuel, Gordon, and Madeline) all had typhoid fever. While many people died in Vernon, God spared the White’s children. 

From Vernon, B.C., the Whites moved to Hughenden, Alberta where the salary was small but the hearts of the people were generous. Claresholm and Newbrook were next on the list of parishes. They remained in Newbrook from 1956 to 1966. During that time, R.J. commuted to Edmonton to teach in Northwest Bible College for two days each week. As well, he served on the District Executive. It was while at Newbrook, that their granddaughter Auralee (Mel Johnson and Madeline ‘White’ Johnson’s daughter) was tragically killed. Mel and Madeline were themselves in Pastoral Ministry at the time.

The last official Pastorate for the Whites was the church in Westlock. From there R.J. was appointed ‘full time’ to the faculty of Northwest Bible College as Academic Dean. He now had the great privilege of pouring his life into the next generation of leaders.

It would be an omission to end this article without a word of commendation to Ferrol White, this stalwart pastor’s wife whose sacrifice and dedication made it possible for R.J. to fulfill the call God had placed on him. She is representative of hundreds of unsung heroes who also gave their entire life to ministry and did so without complaint or regret. The privations that the pioneer pastors’ wives faced, and the multiplicity of responsibilities they assumed go largely unnoted, other than by the Divine Record Keeper.

Epilogue: The year was 1984. The Lord had called my wife and I to start a Heritage Days Senior Camp at Sunnyside Camp, Sylvan Lake. What a blessing we found this to be! We had opportunity to meet and become acquainted with the stories of numerous Pentecostal pioneers. One picture is indelibly etched on my memory. There is a little white cottage on the grounds. It is called ‘Da White House.’ The door opens and an elderly regal couple emerge. He is dressed in black suit and tie, she in a dignified, fashionable dress. They are not large in stature but huge in character. Under his arm, is a big black Bible. Seen close enough, you would observe that it is well worn and somewhat frayed. They walk hand-in-hand towards one of their favorite places on earth, the Tabernacle at Sunnyside Camp. They are the ‘cream of the crop,’ the ‘trailblazers.’ They have lived through opposition, privation and danger to make it easier for those who follow. Worthy of honour? Indeed, and worthy of the Crown of Life which they have received.

Afterward: Rev. Robert J. White passed away into the presence of God in the year 2000 and his wife soon afterward. Their daughter Madeline went to be with the Lord on April 15th, 2020. She and her husband Mel pioneered a church in Swan Hills, Churchbridge, and Paradise Valley as well as involvement with World Vision and the Canadian Immigrant Community.

Rev. Kelly Johnson (Grandson) and his wife Barb, have carried on the legacy of pioneer service forward, serving as Pentecostal Campus Chaplains on the University of Alberta Calgary Campus and also the Mount Royal College in Calgary. 

*many of the details described above can be found in Memoirs of Rev. R. J. (Irish) White: Immigrant Boy, Pioneer, Pentecostal Missionary, Pastor, Educator

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