BIO:Ernest Ira Reveal

1880-1959
Rescue mission superintendent. E.I. Reveal was born in West 
Virginia, the oldest of twelve children. He had little educa-
tion, leaving school in his teens to join his father in the 
contracting and bricklaying business. Gifted in this work, he 
prospered. However, this prosperity did not fill the void in 
his soul.
        He was converted to Christ on January 24, 1904, and 
soon began attending a Presbyterian church whose pastor 
proved to be a real friend to this new Christian. He grew in 
grace rapidly, entered into the activities of the church, and 
was made an elder. In March, 1919, he was ordained a minister 
by the Presbytery of Indiana.
        His call to rescue mission work came during a conven-
tion of rescue mission workers at the Mel Trotter Mission in 
Grand Rapids, Michigan. Reveal learned that several pastors 
and laymen were interested in beginning a mission in his home 
town of Evansville, Indiana, which proved to be a direct an-
swer to prayer, for this had been on his heart for some time. 
From the humble beginnings, the rescue mission grew until the 
work operated not only a well-equipped modern mission in 
downtown Evansville, but a summer camp outside the city.
        During his entire ministry, Reveal was a monument of 
the grace of God. Being a cripple with one leg in a strong 
brace did not in the least deter him from his God-given task. 
Living in an atmosphere of prayer and fellowship with the 
Heavenly Father for over 40 years, he prayed in the funds 
that sustained and provided the means of expansion for the 
mission. The records of the mission reveal hundreds of 
conversions. Of these, many who are now ministers, mission-
aries, and laymen, were brought to Christ under his ministry.
        As a speaker, Reveal was earnest, though not elo-
quent--practical, though not polished--preaching the Gospel 
in language that the men who faced him could understand. A 
deep love for Christ and a compassion for the spiritual and 
physical needs of the underprivileged prompted him to spend 
much of his life in prayer.

