"Lessons from Anthony Mangun"

The last couple weeks have been the most transformational, impacting, and enlightening two weeks of my life. I’ve had the opportunity to spend the month of February with Anthony Mangun and the Pentecostals of Alexandria. It will be a month that I’ll forever cherish and remember as long as I live. They’ve all expressed what a “blessing” that I’ve been to them and how much I’ve impacted the church for Soul Winning, Guest Follow Up, Home Bible Studies, and Discipleship. However, it’s actually been the other way around; I’ve been the recipient of blessing, encouragement, training, and empowerment. I’m going to share with you five powerful lessons that I learned from Anthony Mangun:

1. Consistency –

I’m not sure if I’ve ever met someone that is more consistent than Anthony & Mickey Mangun. I remember having Gentury Mangun down in St. Petersburg with us for a few weeks, and Anthony called every night to pray for his son. I’ve been in a close mentorship with Anthony Mangun for the past 4 years, and I can tell you that he is the most consistent person that I’ve ever met. He is consistent with his family, relationships, his word, and is very consistent with his Spiritual Disciplines. He doesn’t waiver on the message of Salvation, holiness, and family devotion. Every Monday night, Pastor Anthony and Mickey lead a family devotion for 1-2 hours of prayer, discussion, Bible study, devotion, and dialogue. It’s so refreshing to know a leader that is so consistent in his life, speech, attitude, actions, and example. Back when I was going through a challenging time in my life, Anthony Mangun called me every single day for about 45 straight days. They have been so kind to me through the years. Even when I needed correction or direction, he always did it in such a consistent manner that actually made me want to listen and do whatever he said. Their consistency makes you feel safe, and I trust them with my life. It’s the reason why POA is a refuge for not only people locally but also the hundreds of ministers and wives that have come under the safety, shelter, and protection of such consistent and Godly people.

2. Soul Winning –

I can teach a lot about Soul Winning and feel that I can really help churches and train for personal Soul Winning. However, just by spending time with Anthony & Mickey Mangun, I can tell you that they are Soul Winning Machines. A lot of people may not even realize what an awesome Soul Winner Mickey Mangun is. She is such a people person and is one of the most genuine ladies that you’ll ever meet. She started a group that meets on Saturdays and helps people that battle with addictions from alcohol, drugs, and pain medications. To watch Mickey interact with people at church or in restaurants is simply refreshing and encouraging. The Manguns have always been my heroes, mentors, and people that I’ve deeply admired. They are true healers to so many, and there are literally thousands upon thousands of people in the city of Alexandria that they’ve personally impacted through personal evangelism and friendship. I was eating at Copelands last Sunday with Lee Stoneking and the Manguns, and a man died of a heart attack across the restaurant. As soon as the waiter told Pastor Anthony what had happened, they went to check on the family and pray for the man. The entire family (wealthy and very classy) saw Pastor Anthony and said, “Oh Dr. Mangun, please pray for our friend; he just passed out, and they are pumping his heart.” It was so amazing to watch how they touched, empathized, showed compassion, prayed for, and ministered to this entire family. The Pentecostals of Alexandria is the most powerful, effective, passionate, prayerful, and Soul Winning church on earth. You’ll never see it just on a Sunday visit or at Because of the Times, but if you could get into the veins, the life, and daily flow of POA, you’ll discover that it’s a true Soul Winning church. I remember telling Sis. Mickey last week, “You know, you are one awesome Soul Winner!” Pastor Anthony laughed and said, “You haven’t even heard all my Soul Winning stories yet, you just wait!” J Sister Mickey just laughed and whispered to me, “He’s a Mangun and always has to win, and I just let him think so, but we know…” It was so neat to watch the way they interact with each other.

3. Giving –

If I had to take one word and describe Anthony & Mickey Mangun, it would be “giving!” They are the most giving people that you’ll ever meet. They have such a passion for people, missions, the poor, and the hurting. I’ve watched Anthony Mangun walk across the restaurant on many occasions and pick up people’s bills and pay for them. He really wouldn’t want me to say anything about this, but I’m going to, because I’m just sharing with you principles that I’ve observed so it can encourage and impact you to become better people; Anthony Mangun eats at “The Pit Grill” a lot in Alexandria, and this past Christmas, he walked in and gave every single waitress $50 for Christmas. They absolutely love him in there, and his giving spirit has won many of them to God and helped them trust him as a preacher. It’s so neat to watch “Anthony Mangun” just sitting down talking with a normal everyday waitress that might make about $5.00 or $6.00 an hour, and he’ll just slip them a $20 from time to time. Last Christmas, Anthony & Mickey Mangun would just randomly knock on a door in Alexandria and hand a family $300.00 and bless them. Their spirit of giving has brought the blessings of God upon them, the church, and the entire city. Just remember that God blessed all the Egyptians for Joseph’s sake. The way that POA gives to missions, other ministries, people locally in Alexandria, and to many other causes is absolutely powerful, and it reveals why they are all so blessed.

4. Honor –

You’ll have to search long and hard to find people that are any more polite, respectful, and kind to people regardless of their status in life. The Manguns love them all and most importantly have taught me the valuable lesson honoring the past. I’ve watched Anthony Mangun for 10 years and have been very privileged to have many conversations with him, and I’ve never one time heard him speak a negative word against leadership or elders. He’s always very respectful and gives honor to his parents, official leaders, and the Tennys. As a young minister, I can really appreciate the way he honors leadership. It’s a perfect example to me to always remember to give honor and show respect to older ministers and people that have gone before us; however, not just honor for older ministers or even mentors of his, but even peers and other ministers get the feeling of respect and consideration around the Manguns.

5. Authentic –

Let me tell you why POA is POA and why BOTT is BOTT! Anthony and Mickey Mangun are authentic, genuine, honest, and real! They are the type of people that we all appreciate, because they are open about their failures as well as their successes. As a young minister, I’ve found it to be very safe to talk with them about anything and even ask questions that would have me marked or cut off among some other people. Yet, they are so authentic that they make you feel very safe to have dialogue, talk, share your heart, and ask questions without fearing rejection or judgment. The reason that so many people feel safe attending the POA is because people in the 21st Century are looking for consistent, giving, respectful, and authentic leaders. You’ll not meet people that are any more genuine than the Manguns.

You know, it was really challenging for me to keep this in 5 lessons when, in reality, I could’ve really talked with you about his family commitment, leadership skills, passion, work ethic, pastoral ability, vision, and wisdom. He has never one time led me astray! They’ve been my true friends and have caused me, as a young man, to become stronger, more consistent, more giving, a better Soul Winner, show more respect, and just be authentic. It wasn’t always their words that moved me. Many times it was when they didn’t even know they were teaching me – the times when I just watched, listened, observed and caught the principle. I’m excited about many return visits to the POA in the future, and it’s become my home away from home. I’ve adopted the Manguns to be like parents to me, and they are just simply awesome, neat, amazing, powerful, influential, wise, empowering, encouraging, and a gift from God. I’m not sure if any of you really realize just how many millions across the world have been inspired, encouraged, blessed, and impacted by the Manguns and the Pentecostals of Alexandria. They are truly a once in a lifetime, very special, and God sent people. They are leaders of leaders, and they, to me, are a nail in a sure place. The United Pentecostal Church should always appreciate, honor, and thank God for leaders as the Manguns that give many of us younger ministers hope, inspiration, and clear direction. Thank you God for February 2009 and for the opportunity to get to experience the Pentecostals of Alexandria and to spend quality time with my mentors! If you have never been to a Sunday service at POA, please take a weekend vacation and just go experience for yourself the hospitality, kindness, passion, worship, preaching, and awesome church. It will be the experience of a lifetime.