Leading Assemblies of God pastor Cecil Wiggins dies

Leading Assemblies of God pastor Cecil Wiggins passed peacefully from his Jacksonville, Florida, home Saturday, March 24, 2018. He was 87.

Born in Evergreen, Alabama, Wiggins served in full-time ministry for 65 years. He ministered for 53 years at Evangel Temple, where he was lead pastor for 45 years.

In 2010, when the senior Wiggins handed the reins of the church to his son, Garry Wiggins, The Florida Times-Union described Cecil Wiggins as “a stalwart of charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity in Jacksonville since the early 1960s,” reporting that he had built the church “into a powerhouse through personal evangelism and cutting-edge TV and radio programs.”

The newspaper also cited Wiggins’ “reputation for the promotion of conservative biblical values through progressive use of media.”

Evangel Temple will host the viewing 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 28, with a celebration service immediately following. The graveside service will be held Thursday, March 29, at Riverside Memorial Park (Southside), 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville.

Services will be officiated by pastor Garry Wiggins; Terry Raburn, pastor and superintendent of the Peninsular Florida District Council of the Assemblies of God; and pastor John Kilpatrick of John Kilpatrick Ministries.

In lieu of flowers, Evangel Temple is accepting donations. Gifts should be designated “Arise,” which relates to Wiggins’ vision. {eoa}