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{{Infobox clergy
⚫
'''Lee Edward Roberson''' ([[24 November]] [[1909]] - [[29 April]] [[2007]]), was the founder of [[Tennessee Temple University]] and Camp Joy, both in [[Chattanooga, Tennessee| Chattanooga]].
| child =
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Lee Roberson
| honorific_suffix =
| image = <!--or: image_name -->
| image_size = <!--or: imagesize -->
| alt =
| caption = <!--or: image_caption -->
| pronunciation =
| birth_name = Lavern Edward Roberson
| birth_date = {{birth date|1909|11|24|mf=y}}
| birth_place =
| death_date = {{death date and age|2007|04|29|1909|11|24|mf=y}}
| death_place = Chattanooga, Tennessee, US
| death_cause =
| residence =
| nationality =
| other_names =
| citizenship =
| education =
| alma_mater =
| occupation = [[Pastor]], evangelist
| years_active =
| spouse = {{marriage|Caroline Allen|October 9, 1937|2005|reason=died}}
| children = 4
| parents =
| relatives = <!--or: relations, family -->
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| religion = [[Christianity]]
| church = [[Southern Baptist]], [[Independent Baptist]]
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| writings =
| congregations = [[Highland Park Baptist Church]] (1942-1983)
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{{baptist}}


⚫
'''Lavern "Lee" Edward Roberson''' (November 24, 1909 &ndash; April 29, 2007) was an American [[pastor]] and evangelist. He was the founder of [[Tennessee Temple University]] and [[Temple Baptist Seminary]] in [[Chattanooga, Tennessee]], and Camp Joy, in [[Harrison, Tennessee]].
⚫
Dr. Roberson was born in a two-room log cabin and spent his first two years on a farm near [[English, Indiana]], a small town in the southern part of the state. In 1911, his parents, Charles E. and Dora Roberson, took him to a farm near [[Louisville, Kentucky]], where his father farmed, worked on streetcars, and built homes to make a living. In 1923, at the age of fourteen, he was led to the Lord by his faithful Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Daisy Hawes, and joined the Cedar Creek [[Baptist]] Church near Louisville.


==Early life==
⚫
After spending two years at the Louisville Male [[High School]], where he received a diploma in public accounting when he was fourteen years old, Roberson then attended the Fern Creek High School, where he played [[football]] and graduated after four years.


⚫
Roberson was born in a two-room log cabin and spent his first two years on a farm near [[English, Indiana]], a small town in the southern part of the state. Originally named Lavern Edward, he was known throughout his life as "Lee."<ref>High School diploma of Leverne Edward Roberson, Louisville Male High School, Louisville, Kentucky</ref> In 1911, his parents, Charles E. and Dora (Sego) Roberson, took him to a farm near [[Louisville, Kentucky]], where his father farmed, worked on streetcars, and built homes to make a living. In 1923, at the age of fourteen, he was led to the Lord by his Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Daisy Hawes, and joined the Cedar Creek [[Baptist]] Church near Louisville.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Roberson {{!}} Christian Hall of Fame|url=https://christianhof.org/roberson/|access-date=2020-11-02|website=christianhof.org|date=27 August 2005}}</ref>
⚫
Dr. Roberson entered [[Bethel College (Kentucky)|Old Bethel College]] in [[Russellville, Kentucky]], in [[1926]], and finished the first year. There he worked at various jobs from washing dishes to scrubbing floors to pay his way. From Old Bethel College, he went to the [[University of Louisville]] to complete his college work with a major in [[history]]. He also continued his education at the [[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary]] in Louisville, where he studied under Dr. [[Archibald Thomas Robertson|A.T. Robertson]]. At the age of nineteen, he was called to a church in [[Jeffersontown, Kentucky]], but he did not accept.


==Education==
⚫
In his early years, Dr. Roberson was well known as a singer. Having studied at the [[Cincinnati Conservatory of Music]] and with the well-known teacher, John Samples, of [[Chicago]], his services as a vocalist were in great demand. He served as a soloist on the staff of radio station [[WHAS (AM)|WHAS]] of Louisville and [[WSM (AM)|WSM]] in [[Nashville, Tennessee]]. Doors also opened in the field of secular music. Dr. Roberson was offered a contract in Nashville, but declined on grounds that such music was not in accordance with his divine calling.


⚫
After spending two years at the [[Louisville Male High School]], where he received a diploma in public accounting when he was fourteen years old, Roberson then attended the [[Fern Creek High School]], where he played [[American football|football]] and graduated after four years.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Renowned Minister Dr. Lee Roberson Dies At 97|url=https://www.chattanoogan.com/2007/4/29/106453/Renowned-Minister-Dr.-Lee-Roberson-Dies.aspx|access-date=2020-11-02|website=www.chattanoogan.com|date=29 April 2007|language=en}}</ref>
⚫
The first church that Dr. Roberson served as pastor was in [[Germantown, Tennessee]], while he was in college. In [[1932]], he was called to be pastor of the Temple Baptist Church in [[Greenbrier, Tennessee|Green Brier, Tennessee]]. It was there that he discovered the truth of the [[Second Coming of Christ]]. After three years with the Green Brier Church, Roberson entered full-time evangelistic work in 1935. He served as [[Evangelism|evangelist]] of the [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]] Baptist Association; and within two years, he conducted some fifty revivals in the Birmingham area.


⚫
Roberson entered [[Bethel College (Kentucky)|Old Bethel College]] in [[Russellville, Kentucky]], in 1926, and completed one year there. There he worked at various jobs from washing dishes to scrubbing floors to pay his way. From Old Bethel College, he went to the [[University of Louisville]] to complete his college work with a major in [[history]]. He also continued his education at the [[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary]] in Louisville, where he studied under Dr. [[Archibald Thomas Robertson|A.T. Robertson]]. At the age of nineteen, he was called by a church in [[Jeffersontown, Kentucky]], but he did not accept.<ref name=":1" />
It was in Birmingham that he met Miss Caroline Allen, who, on [[October 9]], [[1937]], became Mrs. Lee Roberson.


⚫
In his early years, Roberson was well known as a singer. Having studied at the [[Cincinnati Conservatory of Music]] and with the well-known teacher, John Samples, of [[Chicago]], his services as a vocalist were in great demand. He served as a soloist on the staff of radio station [[WHAS (AM)|WHAS]] of Louisville and [[WSM (AM)|WSM]] in [[Nashville, Tennessee]]. Roberson was offered a contract by [https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/the-nashville-conservatory-of-music/ Gaetano Salvatore de Luca] at the [https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/the-nashville-conservatory-of-music/ Nashville Conservatory of Music]. After a discussion with de Luca, Roberson decided to give up musical performance, and declined on the grounds that such a music career was not in accordance with his divine calling to the ministry.<ref name=":1" /><ref>Roberson, Lee. ''Double-Breasted'', Murfreesboro, Tennessee: Sword of the Lord Publishers, 1977 (p.36)</ref>
On the first Sunday in November 1937, Dr. Roberson became pastor of the First Baptist Church in [[Fairfield, Alabama]].


==Ministry==
In 1939, Dr. Roberson was asked to be the state evangelist for [[Alabama]], but he declined.
⚫
The first church that Roberson served as pastor was in [[Germantown, Tennessee]], while he was in college. In 1932, he was called to be pastor of the Temple Baptist Church in [[Greenbrier, Tennessee]]. It was there that he began emphasizing the [[Second Coming of Christ]]. After three years with the Greenbrier church, Roberson entered full-time evangelistic work in 1935.<ref name=":1" />


Roberson served as [[Evangelism|evangelist]] of the [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]] Baptist Association. Within two years he had conducted some fifty revivals in the Birmingham area. On the first Sunday in November 1937, Lee Roberson became pastor of the First Baptist Church in [[Fairfield, Alabama]]. In 1939, he was asked to be the state evangelist for [[Alabama]], but he declined.<ref name=":1" />
⚫
After five years with the Fairfield church, Dr. Roberson was called to the Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga in November 1942. Four years later, Dr. Roberson would start the [[Tennessee Temple University]]. Two years later in 1948, a theological seminary, Southeastern Baptist Seminary (later re-named [[Temple Baptist Seminary]] in 1954) was added. His ministry would continue to branch out into the areas of radio, a city-wide bus ministry, and the founding of Camp Joy. Highland Park Baptist Church would grow to be one of the largest churches in the country.


⚫
After five years with the Fairfield church, Roberson was called by the [[Highland Park Baptist Church]] in [[Chattanooga]] in November 1942. Four years later, Roberson founded [[Tennessee Temple University]] and [[Zion College]]. Two years later in 1948, a theological seminary, Southeastern Baptist Seminary (renamed [[Temple Baptist Seminary]] in 1954) was added. His ministry would continue to branch out to radio via [[WDYN]], a citywide bus ministry, and the founding of Camp Joy. At one point in the 1980s, Highland Park Baptist Church boasted 57,000 members, making it one of the largest churches in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chattanooga's iconic Highland Park Baptist Church will move|url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/news/story/2012/sep/10/091012a01-iconic-highland-park-baptist-will-move/87458/|access-date=2020-11-02|website=timesfreepress.com|date=10 September 2012 }}</ref>
He preached his last service as pastor of Highland Park Baptist Church on [[April 27]], [[1983]], but continued in the work of the Lord. Dr. Roberson preached across the nation and also published many books. He continued to serve until his death.


Roberson preached his last service as pastor of Highland Park Baptist Church on April 27, 1983, but continued preaching across the nation and publishing many books until his death.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Roberson|first=Lee|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pAh1mG7rQNMC&q=%22lee+roberson%22+final+sermon+%22april+27%22&pg=PA199|title=Preaching to America|date=1999|publisher=Sword of the Lord Publishers|isbn=978-0-87398-667-0|language=en}}</ref>
Roberson died two years after his wife's passing. His legacy includes strong preaching, Bible based standards, and an uncompromising devotion to God.

== Family ==
In Birmingham, Roberson met Caroline Allen ; they married on October 9, 1937. They had four children: LeeAnne (b. May 2, 1941; d. June 15, 2008), Joy Caroline (b. June 6, 1946; d. August 10, 1946), John, and June. Joy's premature death as an infant led to the establishment of Camp Joy.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Remember when, Chattanooga? The heyday of Camp Joy in Harrison, Tennessee|url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2020/may/20/remember-when-chattanooga-who-remember-they-h/523420/|access-date=2020-11-02|website=timesfreepress.com|date=20 May 2020 }}</ref><ref name=":1" />

==Death==
Roberson died on April 29, 2007, two years after his wife's death.<ref name=":1" /><ref>[https://www.chattanoogan.com/2007/4/29/106455/Roberson-Dr.-Lee-Edward.aspx Roberson, Dr. Lee Edward]</ref>


==Books==
==Books==
*''Diamonds in the Rough'' -- Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-179-0)
*''Diamonds in the Rough''—Sword of the Lord Pub ({{ISBN|0-87398-179-0}})
*''Disturbing Questions...Solid Answers'' -- Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-161-8)
*''Disturbing Questions...Solid Answers''—Sword of the Lord Pub ({{ISBN|0-87398-161-8}})
*''Double-Breasted'' -- Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-160-X)
*''Double-Breasted''—Sword of the Lord Pub ({{ISBN|0-87398-160-X}})
*''Gold Mine, The'' -- Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-339-4)
*''Gold Mine, The''—Sword of the Lord Pub ({{ISBN|0-87398-339-4}})
*''Preaching to America'' -- Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-667-9)
*''Preaching to America''—Sword of the Lord Pub ({{ISBN|0-87398-667-9}})
*''Ten Thousand Tears'' -- Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-837-X)
*''Ten Thousand Tears''—Sword of the Lord Pub ({{ISBN|0-87398-837-X}})
*''The Faith that Moves Mountains'' -- Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-276-2)
*''The Faith that Moves Mountains''—Sword of the Lord Pub ({{ISBN|0-87398-276-2}})
*''The Man In Cell No. 1'' -- Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-567-2)
*''The Man In Cell No. 1''—Sword of the Lord Pub ({{ISBN|0-87398-567-2}})
*''Touching Heaven'' -- Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-848-5)
*''Touching Heaven''—Sword of the Lord Pub ({{ISBN|0-87398-848-5}})
*''Coming to Chattanooga Soon'' -- Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-129-4)
*''Coming to Chattanooga Soon''—Sword of the Lord Pub ({{ISBN|0-87398-129-4}})
*''Big 90, The'' -- Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-087-5)
*''Big 90, The''—Sword of the Lord Pub ({{ISBN|0-87398-087-5}})

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Refbegin}}
{{refend}}

==Bibliography==
* Reese, Edward. ''The Life and Ministry of Lee Roberson.'' Glenwood, Ill: Fundamental Publishers, 1975.
* Terry, Lindsay. ''A Daring Faith in a Hazardous World: Build a Courageous Lifestyle with Lee Roberson.'' Greenville, SC: Ambassador Emerald International, 2006.
* Wigton, James H. ''Lee Roberson -- Always About His Father's Business''. Xulon Press, 2010. ({{ISBN|1609579887}})


{{Authority control}}
==External links==
*[http://www.sermondepository.com/Lee%20Roberson.htm Sample sermons by Lee Roberson]
*[http://www.gotothebible.com/HTML/RobersonLee.html Sermons by Dr. Lee Roberson]
*[http://www.thecrowncollege.com Lee Roberson Christian Heritage Center]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Roberson, Lee}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roberson, Lee}}
[[Category:1909 births]]
[[Category:1909 births]]
[[Category:2007 deaths]]
[[Category:2007 deaths]]
[[Category:American Baptist ministers]]
[[Category:Bethel College (Kentucky) alumni]]
[[Category:University of Louisville alumni]]
[[Category:University of Louisville alumni]]
[[Category:Southern Baptist Theological Seminary alumni]]
[[Category:Southern Baptist Theological Seminary alumni]]
[[Category:People from Chattanooga, Tennessee]]
[[Category:People from Chattanooga, Tennessee]]
[[Category:People from Tennessee]]
[[Category:Heads of universities and colleges in the United States]]
[[Category:American university and college presidents]]
[[Category:People from Crawford County, Indiana]]
[[Category:People from Indiana]]
[[Category:Tennessee Temple University]]
[[Category:Educators]]
[[Category:Louisville Male High School alumni]]
[[Category:Academics]]
[[Category:Fern Creek High School alumni]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]
[[Category:Baptists from Tennessee]]
[[Category:American writers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Baptist ministers from the United States]]
[[Category:20th-century American academics]]

Latest revision as of 03:17, 2 January 2024

Lee Roberson
Born
Lavern Edward Roberson

(1909-11-24)November 24, 1909
DiedApril 29, 2007(2007-04-29) (aged 97)
Chattanooga, Tennessee, US
Occupation(s)Pastor, evangelist
Spouse
Caroline Allen
​
​
(m. 1937; died 2005)​
Children4
ReligionChristianity
ChurchSouthern Baptist, Independent Baptist
Congregations served
Highland Park Baptist Church (1942-1983)
Part of a series on
Baptists
Baptism at Northolt Park Baptist Church, in Greater London, Baptist Union of Great Britain, 2015.
Background
Doctrine
Key figures
Organizations
icon Christianity portal

Lavern "Lee" Edward Roberson (November 24, 1909 – April 29, 2007) was an American pastor and evangelist. He was the founder of Tennessee Temple University and Temple Baptist Seminary in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Camp Joy, in Harrison, Tennessee.

Early life[edit]

Roberson was born in a two-room log cabin and spent his first two years on a farm near English, Indiana, a small town in the southern part of the state. Originally named Lavern Edward, he was known throughout his life as "Lee."[1] In 1911, his parents, Charles E. and Dora (Sego) Roberson, took him to a farm near Louisville, Kentucky, where his father farmed, worked on streetcars, and built homes to make a living. In 1923, at the age of fourteen, he was led to the Lord by his Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Daisy Hawes, and joined the Cedar Creek Baptist Church near Louisville.[2]

Education[edit]

After spending two years at the Louisville Male High School, where he received a diploma in public accounting when he was fourteen years old, Roberson then attended the Fern Creek High School, where he played football and graduated after four years.[3]

Roberson entered Old Bethel College in Russellville, Kentucky, in 1926, and completed one year there. There he worked at various jobs from washing dishes to scrubbing floors to pay his way. From Old Bethel College, he went to the University of Louisville to complete his college work with a major in history. He also continued his education at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, where he studied under Dr. A.T. Robertson. At the age of nineteen, he was called by a church in Jeffersontown, Kentucky, but he did not accept.[3]

In his early years, Roberson was well known as a singer. Having studied at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and with the well-known teacher, John Samples, of Chicago, his services as a vocalist were in great demand. He served as a soloist on the staff of radio station WHAS of Louisville and WSM in Nashville, Tennessee. Roberson was offered a contract by Gaetano Salvatore de Luca at the Nashville Conservatory of Music. After a discussion with de Luca, Roberson decided to give up musical performance, and declined on the grounds that such a music career was not in accordance with his divine calling to the ministry.[3][4]

Ministry[edit]

The first church that Roberson served as pastor was in Germantown, Tennessee, while he was in college. In 1932, he was called to be pastor of the Temple Baptist Church in Greenbrier, Tennessee. It was there that he began emphasizing the Second Coming of Christ. After three years with the Greenbrier church, Roberson entered full-time evangelistic work in 1935.[3]

Roberson served as evangelist of the Birmingham Baptist Association. Within two years he had conducted some fifty revivals in the Birmingham area. On the first Sunday in November 1937, Lee Roberson became pastor of the First Baptist Church in Fairfield, Alabama. In 1939, he was asked to be the state evangelist for Alabama, but he declined.[3]

After five years with the Fairfield church, Roberson was called by the Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga in November 1942. Four years later, Roberson founded Tennessee Temple University and Zion College. Two years later in 1948, a theological seminary, Southeastern Baptist Seminary (renamed Temple Baptist Seminary in 1954) was added. His ministry would continue to branch out to radio via WDYN, a citywide bus ministry, and the founding of Camp Joy. At one point in the 1980s, Highland Park Baptist Church boasted 57,000 members, making it one of the largest churches in the United States.[5]

Roberson preached his last service as pastor of Highland Park Baptist Church on April 27, 1983, but continued preaching across the nation and publishing many books until his death.[6]

Family[edit]

In Birmingham, Roberson met Caroline Allen ; they married on October 9, 1937. They had four children: LeeAnne (b. May 2, 1941; d. June 15, 2008), Joy Caroline (b. June 6, 1946; d. August 10, 1946), John, and June. Joy's premature death as an infant led to the establishment of Camp Joy.[2][7][3]

Death[edit]

Roberson died on April 29, 2007, two years after his wife's death.[3][8]

Books[edit]

  • Diamonds in the Rough—Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-179-0)
  • Disturbing Questions...Solid Answers—Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-161-8)
  • Double-Breasted—Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-160-X)
  • Gold Mine, The—Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-339-4)
  • Preaching to America—Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-667-9)
  • Ten Thousand Tears—Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-837-X)
  • The Faith that Moves Mountains—Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-276-2)
  • The Man In Cell No. 1—Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-567-2)
  • Touching Heaven—Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-848-5)
  • Coming to Chattanooga Soon—Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-129-4)
  • Big 90, The—Sword of the Lord Pub (ISBN 0-87398-087-5)

References[edit]

  1. ^ High School diploma of Leverne Edward Roberson, Louisville Male High School, Louisville, Kentucky
  2. ^ a b "Roberson | Christian Hall of Fame". christianhof.org. 27 August 2005. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Renowned Minister Dr. Lee Roberson Dies At 97". www.chattanoogan.com. 29 April 2007. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  4. ^ Roberson, Lee. Double-Breasted, Murfreesboro, Tennessee: Sword of the Lord Publishers, 1977 (p.36)
  5. ^ "Chattanooga's iconic Highland Park Baptist Church will move". timesfreepress.com. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  6. ^ Roberson, Lee (1999). Preaching to America. Sword of the Lord Publishers. ISBN 978-0-87398-667-0.
  7. ^ "Remember when, Chattanooga? The heyday of Camp Joy in Harrison, Tennessee". timesfreepress.com. 20 May 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  8. ^ Roberson, Dr. Lee Edward

Bibliography[edit]

  • Reese, Edward. The Life and Ministry of Lee Roberson. Glenwood, Ill: Fundamental Publishers, 1975.
  • Terry, Lindsay. A Daring Faith in a Hazardous World: Build a Courageous Lifestyle with Lee Roberson. Greenville, SC: Ambassador Emerald International, 2006.
  • Wigton, James H. Lee Roberson -- Always About His Father's Business. Xulon Press, 2010. (ISBN 1609579887)
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