Delmer and Eleanor Guynes memorialized in dormitory

Waxahachie, TX – October 26, 2011 – Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) memorialized Delmer and Eleanor Guynes with a wall display during the Homecoming events held on Friday, October 21, 2011. The display shares the memories, ministry and life stories of the Guynes.

During Friday’s chapel, SAGU President Kermit Bridges, with the approval of the Executive Committee of the Board of Regents, bestowed Dr. Guynes with the title of President Emeritus in honor of his exemplary service as the University’s President for more than 10 years.

Dr. Guynes received a standing ovation from students and alumni as he approached the podium. The audience laughed as he teased, “They said I would only have two minutes, and you have already taken up some of it. So, that’s enough.” He shared how surprised he was to receive such an honor and thanked President Bridges and the Board. Dr. Guynes shared, “It is the most wonderful identity, and I cherish it.” His new role will focus on intercessory prayer and missions as well as pastoral care for the campus family.

“Even though my wife was not able to join me this morning, I know that she would be well-pleased as am I,” said Dr. Guynes. “The beautiful display in Guynes Hall tells a wonderful story that I am so happy and thankful to have been a part of – being a part of God’s Will.”

President Bridges shared, “Dr. Guynes is revered on the SAGU campus for his role in a spiritual renewal years ago that we are seeing residual effects of to this day. He also increased our academic program offerings and established our Harrison School of Graduate Studies. We are honored to have such tremendous leadership on campus, and look forward to seeing him serve as President Emeritus.”

Lives United toward Missions

During their ministry, Dr. and Mrs. Guynes dedicated 21 years to SAGU. Under Dr. Guynes’ leadership, Southwestern rebounded from a period of low enrollment and financial difficulty and achieved a record enrollment of 1,672 students. Dr. and Mrs. Guynes also played a significant role in re-establishing the University’s intercessory prayer and missions emphasis.

Dr. and Mrs. Guynes received their Bachelor of Arts from Southwestern Bible College in 1950. In 1965, Eleanor received a master’s degree in Elementary Education at Southern Methodist University (SMU), while Dr. Guynes completed his Master of Arts in Secondary Administration at SMU. He later earned a Doctorate of Education from the University of North Texas. Eleanor earned a second master’s degree in Cross-cultural Communication at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.

Dr. Guynes initiated the Distance Education program and established the Harrison School of Graduate Studies. The Sheaffer Full Life Center, Regents Apartments and Guynes Dorm were constructed during his tenure. With the addition of master’s degrees, Southwestern Assemblies of God College was renamed Southwestern Assemblies of God University.

The Life of Eleanor Rose Guynes

Eleanor Rose Smith was born on February 7, 1928, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. During her teenage years, she was converted and baptized in the Holy Spirit while attending East Side Assembly of God in Okmulgee. Later, Eleanor heard God asking, “Will you go to China?” She knew she was called to the Chinese and committed her life to that call.

She enrolled at Southwestern in the fall of 1946 despite opposition and limited financial resources. She was introduced to Delmer (Dick) Guynes in the summer of 1948, and they married Easter morning, April 17, 1949. Dr. and Mrs. Guynes had four children: Rebecca, Patricia, Del and Janette.

In 1968, they moved to Springfield, Missouri, where she was a faculty member at Central Bible College (CBC) for 12 years. After a ten-year stint in China, the Guyneses returned to Southwestern. Mrs. Guynes taught full-time until her retirement in 1995. She played a vital role in re-establishing the University’s missions emphasis.

The Life of Delmer Ray Guynes

Delmer Ray Guynes was born on October 11, 1928 in Saratoga, TX. At the age of five, Delmer’s family moved to Mont Belvieu where he spent the rest of his childhood. He was converted and baptized in the Holy Spirit at Mont Belvieu Assembly of God in 1945. It was at that time he received God’s calling to ministry.

From 1965-1967 Dr. Guynes pastored University Assembly of God (Waxahachie, TX) until he was selected to serve as Executive Vice President at Southwestern. He served a year before he was asked to lead the Personnel Division in the Division of Foreign Missions of the Assemblies of God in Springfield, MO.

For seven years he served as the Division of Foreign Missions Personnel Secretary and started the Missions program at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. By 1975 he had become the Executive Vice President of the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. He resigned in 1979 to return to foreign missions in China and Asia.

During his missionary appointment, he returned to Southwestern to serve as the University’s President from 1982-1984. After returning to the United States in 1989 as a missionary in residence, he became Southwestern’s President once again and served until his retirement in May 2000. From 2000 to 2007 he served as campus chaplain and assisted in the facilitation of chapel ministry.

Accumulated years of service to SAGU

Their Life of Ministry

The Guynes’ ministry in China was hindered in 1949 when it became a closed country. But, they received an opportunity to pastor Second Creek Assembly of God in Caldwell, TX, in 1952. Approximately two years later, they were approved missionaries to Malaysia (Malaya at the time). Later, they pastored Jalan Sayor Church, the only structured Assemblies of God church in Malaysia at that time. The Guyneses started the construction of the Bible Institute of Malaysia in 1958 and established the English language congregation, Calvary Church.

In 1965, they returned to the United States to further their education. After completing their master’s degrees, they were unable to return to Malaysia due to visa restrictions. They moved to Springfield, MO, in 1968 where Dr. Guynes worked in the Division of Foreign Missions of the Assemblies of God, and Mrs. Guynes taught at Central Bible College.

China opened in 1979, and the Guyneses accepted the assignment to establish the Assemblies of God Office in Hong Kong. Over the next 10 years, they developed Operation Sunrise, an international prayer program for China, and Sunrise Educational Foundation, a teacher placement program for Chinese universities and schools.

In 1982, they returned to Southwestern, but were still heavily involved in the China program. They returned to China in late 1984 continuing their ministry endeavors. By 1989, they had returned to Southwestern where they remained until their retirement. Before Eleanor’s passing in 2011, the Guyneses had been married for 62 years. Aside from their achievements for the Kingdom in missions and Christian higher education, their family continues their wonderful legacy. Of their four children and 13 grandchildren, four are missionaries and seven serve in full-time ministry.

Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private, Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The University was established in 1927, and now offers more than 60 associate, bachelor’s or master’s degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.