America, in the latter part of the 19th century, was steeped in optimism! It was a time of innovation. It was a time of creativity. Thomas Edison’s invention of the kinetoscope produced the first “moving pictures.” It was a time chock-full of endless possibilities with secrets just waiting to be uncovered and where obstacles held incredible opportunity! And it was in this world of mystery and wonder where Wallace Winchell served as a Salvation Army officer (pastor).  

Wallace was born in Oswego, NY in 1866. During his teenage years, he committed his life to Jesus and a few years later, entered The Salvation Army’s Officer Training School.

Staff-Captain Wallace Winchell was also confident about the future. In an 1894 article about the future—what we now call, “Today”—then-Captain Winchell predicted that the “great Salvation War” had been fought and won throughout all the world. In his vision, “… The whole world was won for Jesus! The devil was tired of defeat and gave up!”

While then-Captain Winchell’s vision had yet to be fulfilled, his enthusiastic, innovative, evangelistic legacy continues to undergird and empower The Salvation Army’s mission: “… to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination.” 

Wallace’s pioneering tactics and home-spun verbal imagery became legendary in Army history. He referred to the salvation experience as “jumping in the fountain.” His favorite hymn was William Cowper’s, “There is a fountain filled with blood, drawn from Immanuel’s veins, and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.”

Some of his unconventional, yet effective, evangelistic methods included preaching from a coffin and from a fire escape. He became known as “The Bishop of the Bowery” and opened a bar that served buttermilk and encouraged patrons to accept Jesus as Savior. He created “The Stretcher Brigade” that helped alcoholics and drug addicts stay clean.

Wallace Winchell retired from The Salvation Army in 1931 with the rank of Lt. Colonel and was Promoted to Glory a few years later in 1934. 

God had huge plans for Wallace Winchell’s future, and He also has great plans for your future. God’s plans will not always be recognizable but often wrapped in unusual and extraordinary. Like Wallace, let’s embrace the mystery and “jump into the fountain” for God’s glory!

So What?

What is unique about your gifts and circumstances? What part of God’s plan for you is waiting to be unwrapped?