Alvin Ray Jennings

Alvin was born September 3, 1929, to Herschel and Thelma Jennings in Canyon, Texas. He was the second of five children; older brother Neal, and younger brothers Carl and Duke, and baby sister, Donna. His father was a businessman and professor at West Texas State, now West Texas A&M University. His mother was a dedicated housewife and mother.

Alvin committed his life to Christ before age 12 and soon was leading singing and participating in other activities in the small church in Canyon. He graduated in 1946 from West Texas High School, where at 120 pounds- he was quarterback and captain of the football team, “Personality King,” and student body President.

Summer jobs included working on his Uncle Arthur’s farm, driving a truck for his dad’s propane business, and during his college years, selling Bibles door-to-door for the Southwestern Company. He went to Abilene Christian College, planning to become a dentist like his Uncle Charles—until a Canadian friend challenged him to become a preacher. Alvin soon changed his focus and his major, and in 1948 began his first preaching at a country schoolhouse near Lorraine, Texas. Among other college awards and activities, he was Student Council VP, freshman and senior Class Favorite, and a member of Alpha Chi and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.

Alvin then moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, to study church history, earning his Master’s degree at Butler University in 1951. Upon graduation, the church in Canyon sent him to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada to begin a new congregation at the invitation of J.C. Bailey. The Canyon church had never been involved in mission work, but pledged $200 per month to support Alvin, increasing it four years later to $300 per month when he married Ellen.

A highlight in Saskatoon was working with the young people who had moved there to find work. Among them was Ellen Kristianson from Estevan. Alvin and Ellen were married January 1, 1955. The ministry in Saskatoon thrived those five years, with Alvin conducting a weekly radio broadcast and overseeing the construction of the church’s first building. Lynn Anderson claims it was during this era that Alvin first planted the seed in him to also become a preacher.

In 1956—with no support in view—Alvin, Ellen, and baby Mark moved 2,000 miles east to Montreal, pulling a trailer which Alvin built to haul their few belongings. They made the move with funds from the sale of the little house he had built with the help of the Saskatoon church. The church in Tulia, Texas, took on his support after a few months and remained his sponsoring church for the next nine years. This new church in Montreal originally met at the YMCA, until about $40,000 was raised to build its first building.

Alvin developed a Bible Slides Library in 1958, published under the new name of Star Bible Publications. Publishing rights for the slides were later sold to Jule Miller in Houston, Texas. Steve and Bonnie were added to the family in Montreal.

In 1959, the Jennings family moved to Burlington, Vermont, where James and Bethanie were born. The Burlington church originally met at the YMCA and in the basement of a home, until building its first building in 1961. Meanwhile, as the Jennings children grew, they became Dad’s helpers, folding and assembling Bible Correspondence Courses in the basement of their home.

Alvin and his father formed a non-profit in 1963, Star Bible Publications, Inc. The Brown Trail Church then invited him to move to Fort Worth in 1965 to come and lead a direct mail evangelism effort, initially under their support. From 1967 until 2006, “The Star Magazine” was sent to over 50 million US homes. Millions of tracts, books, films, videos, and cassettes were also distributed through Star Bible. Alvin and Ellen were also deeply involved at Fort Worth Christian School. Their children attended there and Alvin served on the Board for several years in the 1970s.

Alvin continued his passion for teaching people about Christ with weekly Bible Classes held in their home for over 35 years. He walked door to door in the neighborhood--and at one point, to every house in Hurst--with an invitation to the Bible Class. He also later led Bible Classes in area nursing homes for many years.

A project he began in 1991 and worked tirelessly on even into his 90s is the 5-acre Garden of Prayer, in North Richland Hills where people can retreat for solitude and prayer. Alvin also set up shop at area flea markets, or local parking lots in his “Gospel Chariot,” always looking to strike up conversations with any who might be interested.

Alvin went on several mission trips abroad including Russia, Venezuela, and Jamaica. Even upon moving to Texas, he continued to preach part-time and held regular preaching roles in Thorp Spring, Watauga, and Dallas. For 13 years he edited and managed a paid column partially supported by donations in the Fort Worth Star Telegram called the Paper Pulpit. Alvin loved the gospel and getting the printed word out. In his later years, he spent countless hours volunteering at Mission Printing, helping send free Bible-study literature around the world.

Alvin lived his life on purpose. He was intentional about everything, especially when it came to reaching out to those who were lost. And his work ethic was second to none. He was methodical and purposeful, and stuck with projects until completion. His tireless labor in world evangelism and other efforts to build up God’s church were credible examples of where his heart was. He was passionate about worthy pursuits.

Alvin’s dream of constructing a building to house his library became a reality in 2022 at the High Plains Children’s Home and Family Services in Amarillo, just 10 miles from his hometown of Canyon, where it all began.

Alvin is predeceased by his parents Herschel and Thelma Jennings; brothers Neal and Carl; wife Ellen; son Stephen; and grandson Daniel Jennings. He is survived by his son Mark (Cheryl) Jennings of Lubbock, TX; daughter Bonnie (Norman ‘Wally’) Bell of Middletown, OH; son James (Lisa) Jennings of North Richland Hills, TX; daughter Bethanie (John) Cope of North Richland Hills, TX; sister Donna (David) Bolton of Keller, TX; brother Dr. Duke (Sanet) Jennings of Jonesboro, AR; grandchildren Charles Jennings, Carrie (Evan) Brown, Jessica (Ryan) Stepinoff, Alyssa (Josh) Knickerbocker, Duke Jennings, Jacob Jennings, Marshall Bell, Josh (Katie) Bell, Katie (Rick) Barton, Kylie (Trenton) Pope, Scott (Allison) Jennings, Carter (Abby) Jennings, Cameron (Anne) Cope, Tanner (Catherine) Cope, and Cassidy (Mitchell) Cope-Ostang; 23 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Friends who would like to honor Alvin’s memory may consider a gift to Mission Printing, 2707 Medlin Dr, Arlington, TX 76015 or Garden of Prayer, The Hills Church, 6300 NE Loop 820, N. Richland Hills,TX 76180

A visitation for Alvin will be held Sunday, June 9, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home, 5725 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville, TX 76034. On Monday, June 10, 2024, Alvin's funeral will take place at 10:00 AM at College Hill Church of Christ, 7447 N College Cir, North Richland Hills, TX 76180. He will be laid to rest at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park, later that day, at 12 p.m.