[Cover]
Peoples Temple
Christian Church
Jim Jones, Pastor
[Inside front cover blank]
[Page 3]
Jesus said,
For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat:
I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink:
I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Naked, and ye clothed me:
was sick, and ye visited me:
I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying,
When saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee?
Or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in?
Or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick,
Or in prison, and came unto thee?
Verily I say unto you,
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one
of the least of these…
Ye have done it unto me.
Matthew 25:35-40
[Page 4]
[Photo of “Rainbow Family”]
[photo caption] Pastor Jones and his dedicated wife Marceline with their adopted family and natural-born son.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION – “He Was Superb”
“The Rev. James Jones will be sorely missed as executive director of the Mayor’s Commission on Human Rights. He was hired after long search. He was superb. He went about his job diplomatically, but thoroughly, and produced results.”
… Editorial, Scripps-Howard Newspaper
[page 5]
STATEMENT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – NEVADA REGION OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES:
“The ministry and witness of Pastor Jones and the members of Peoples Temple has great meaning for the denomination, perhaps the most meaning of any single incident or event that’s happened in the days of my ministry for 20 years as a pastor in this part of the church known as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The ministry of Jesus Christ, which is the action of God in the midst of the world, has been more clearly revealed probably by the Peoples Temple than any other member church of the Disciples of Christ. That’s an awesome thing and I just praise God for you.”
… Dr. Karl Irvin, Jr.
[Photograph of Peoples Temple in Redwood Valley]
[page 6]
SUPPORT FOR PEACE OFFICERS:
“Peoples Temple Christian Church, which has a congregation in the Fillmore District, has started a fund to aid the families of slain policeman. ‘We are utterly horrified by this move to murder police all over the nation.’ the Reverend James Jones … told the Chronicle yesterday. The Disciples of Christ congregation started off the fund… the money collected will go to the families of a Berkeley officer and two officers killed last weekend…”
… San Francisco Chronicle
[photo of façade of Peoples Temple on Geary Boulevard, with caption: “San Francisco Temple members contribute their skills in finishing construction work on their church building.”
[page 7]
[Photograph of Los Angeles Temple, with caption: “The Los Angeles Temple hosts one of the largest congregations in the area. The building itself is an historical landmark and a highly inspirational structure inside and out.”]
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST LEADER IN AN OFFICIAL REVIEW OF TEMPLE PROGRAMS:
“Peoples Temple is an interracial, vibrant, exciting congregation, called into being by God through its Pastor, Jim Jones. It is apparent that no human need is expressed without an honest attempt being made to meet that need. I have the impression the congregation is ready, willing and able to assist any human being with almost any problem. The membership comes from a wide range of humanity… One gets the impression of being in the midst of the human race at its best; a community of people whose primary concern is to love and to serve… Peoples Temple is led by a man of deep integrity and sensitivity.”
… Rev. Gerald McHarg, Associate Regional Pastor, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for Southern California
[page 8]
[photo of two senior women at a table being embraced by younger black woman]
[photo caption] One of the Temple’s senior members celebrate her 100th birthday with her friends. The seniors at the Temple are very involved in church activities. They meet regularly to work on various projects and services.
A “WELL-REGARDED” CHURCH:
“Called less formally Peoples Temple, this church is best known and highly regarded for its social works which include housing and feeding senior citizens and medical convalescents, maintaining a home for retarded boys, rehabilitating youthful drug users, and assisting non-members as well as members of the faith through college and legal difficulties.”
… San Francisco Chronicle
[page 9]
UNSURPASSED IN DENOMINATION:
“The ministry of this man, Pastor Jones, and his congregation is surpassed by none in our denomination.
“Their witness in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless and ministering to the sick and imprisoned is sorely needed in this troubled age.”
… Dennis W. Short, Associate Pastor, Urban Life Program, Christian Church, Disciples of Christ Regional Office (Southern California)
[Photo of numerous people at picnic tables, with caption: “Hundreds gather in Redwood Valley for the traditional July 4th celebration.”]
GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE ENTIRE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (1.4 MILLION MEMBER DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) IN A REPORT TO THE NATIONWIDE DENOMINATION:
“From my numerous contacts with members and staff of the church, I can say that they are the most committed and dedicated group of people I have known in any church anywhere.”
… Wade Rubick, Attorney
[Page 10]
[photo of two smiling young people lifting beam over their heads]
[photo caption] Children are given the opportunity to work and play in pleasant outdoor settings. They even find that work projects can be fun!
VIEW OF METHODIST DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT:
“Peoples Temple is a caring community of people of all races and classes. They bear the mark of compassion and justice – compassion for the hungry and jobless, lonely and disturbed, and also for the earth and her offspring.”
… Dr. John Moore, District Superintendent of the United Methodist Church for Oakland and the East Bay, California.
[Page 11]
VIEW OF FORMER NEWS BUREAU CHIEF FOR CBS TELEVISION AFFILIATE:
“When I came to do a film documentary for television on Peoples Temple, I discovered the most dedicated group of people to the cause of humanity I have ever encountered. I soon found it was due to the magnificent example set by the church’s pastor, Jim Jones, whose motives and humanitarian principles are truly noble. He exemplifies the life of Christ by working day and night to stand courageously against all forms of injustice, to relieve human suffering of every kind, and to establish brotherhood among peoples of wide-ranging backgrounds wherever he can. I became so impressed with the character and integrity of this selfless man that I gave up my position in broadcasting to work full-time for this phenomenal program.”
… Michael Prokes, former CBS-TV affiliate News Bureau Chief
[Photo of a dozen people playing in a pool, with caption: “At the Redwood Valley Temple children swim in the indoor heated pool.”]
[Page 12]
[Photo extending across both pages 12 and 13 show hundreds of people gathered on steps, with caption: “Some of the Peoples Temple members visiting the Chicago Museum as they travel across the United States.”]
PEOPLES TEMPLE SUMMER VACATION
During the past couple of summers, Pastor Jones took hundreds of members from all three churches on a tour of the country, stopping at major cities along the way to spread the word of truth to many eager souls.
The incredibly cooperative spirit that Pastor Jones has infused into his church amazed people all along the way. Everyone in the 18-vehicle caravan was organized and had a specific function. Bus drivers, hostesses, nurses, food preparation units, clean-up crews and helpers of all sorts work together in highly coordinated and disciplined fashion to ensure the group comfort and security at all times.
[Page 13]
THE WELCOME TOURISTS
“The hands-down winners of anybody’s tourists-of-the-year award have got to be the 660 wonderful members of the Peoples Temple Christian Church of Redwood Valley, California, who bend over backwards to leave every place they visit more attractive than when they arrived. Like thousands of other tourists, they went calling on the U. S. Capitol the other day, but unlike others who tramp through our town spreading litter helter-skelter, this spirited group of travelers fanned out from their 13 buses and spent about an hour cleaning up the grounds.”
… Washington Post
“PROBABLY THE LARGEST”:
“Peoples Temple ranks as probably the largest Protestant congregation in Northern California, according to various estimates by officials in several Protestant denominations.”
… Sacramento Bee
[page 14]
FIERY, HUMBLE, ERUDITE, LOVING:
“The man who pastors this flock of ‘brothers’ is a cross between a fiery archangel, a humble servant of humanity, an erudite wit, a loving family man with all the usual longings for a ‘better life’ for his children – and a plain human being who sometimes finds the battle ‘heavy going.’”
… Ukiah Daily Journal
PROTECTION OF INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY:
“This church, the Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ, has a distinguished pastor, Reverend James Jones, and they have never failed to respond to public or private appeals for assistance in the pursuit and protection of individual liberty and freedom.”
SPECIAL CITIZENSHIP AWARD:
“It gives me extreme pleasure to announce that you [Jim Jones] have been selected as recipient of the Sun ReporterSPECIAL MERIT AWARD… Your acquaintances speak glowingly of your numerous social concerns, involving efforts to rehabilitate drug addicts, provision of housing and health care for senior citizens, the development and maintenance of an animal shelter, and your multi-racial adopted family all of which we believe is encompassed in the Judeo-Christian ethic that man is his brother’s keeper. These are tumultuous times, requiring that each individual be ever mindful of the prophetic words of Edmund Burke, spoken in the 18th Century: ‘All that is necessary for evil to triumph in the world is for enough good men to do nothing.'”
… Carlton B. Goodlett, Ph.D., M.D., President, National Newspaper Publishers Association.
[Page 15]
[Photo of Jim Jones standing in front of U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.]
[Photo caption] Vacation tour was not complete without a stop at the Capitol building in Washington, D. C., the seat of America’s government. Here Pastor Jones and members of Peoples Temple visited with their local Congressional Representatives.
THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:
“Peoples Temple Christian Church Supports First Amendment” is the title of extended remarks in which a prominent legislator stated on the floor of Congress, “Mr. Speaker… I would like to commend the Rev. James Jones, who is pastor of the church, and every member of his congregation for the outstanding demonstration of their commitment to the principles on which this country was founded.”
… Congressional Record
[page 16]
[Photo of children on the ride at Disneyland, with caption: “Over the 1975 Labor Day weekend Pastor Jones took hundreds of Peoples Temple members to Disneyland. Everyone enjoyed an entire day of activities and rights at the world famous amusement center.”]
[Photo of a woman showing picture book to several seated children, with caption: “Youngsters gather in the San Francisco Temple to learn about their history. The skillful guidance of trained counselors the children find the study can be fun.”]
[Page 17]
VIEW OF LOCAL CLERGY:
“Progress in meeting the needs of people… is perhaps the most dramatically in the seven-day-a-week program of the Peoples Temple with its team of teachers and lawyers, to mention just a few, who strive in the name of Christ, to serve their fellow men.”
… Dr. Elmer Schmitt, President of the Ukiah Ministerial Association
(Ukiah Daily Journal.)
[Photo of bus being maintained by two mechanics
[Photo caption] In this large, well-equipped garage, experienced Temple mechanics train young people in the skills of auto and diesel engine maintenance. The Temple’s eleven air-conditioned Greyhound-type buses are regularly serviced here. Pastor Jones has always insisted upon maintaining a high standard of safety with the buses. As a result there has never been a serious accident or injury over the millions of miles the Temple’s buses have logged on the highways!
[Page 18]
PEOPLES TEMPLE … AGRICULTURAL MISSION
Throughout the years Peoples Temple has sent food and supplies to help those who face disease and starvation, both at home and abroad. The church has felt very deeply that wherever there is a need dedicated Christians must step forward to help! This human service ministry of Peoples Temple is so highly regarded throughout the world that the government of a South American country has made available to us several thousand acres of fertile land to begin our Agricultural Missionary Program.
[Photo of Temple members loading large wooden cases onto flatbed trailers, with caption: “Temple members prepare a shipment of supplies and equipment to send to the mission project.”]