John Follette
John Wright Follette (1883 - 1966). American Bible teacher, author, and poet born in Swanton, Vermont, to French Huguenot descendants who settled in New Paltz, New York, in the 1660s. Raised Methodist, he received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit in 1913 while studying at a Bible school in Rochester, New York, later teaching there until its closure. Ordained in 1911 by the Council of Pentecostal Ministers at Elim Tabernacle, he affiliated with the Assemblies of God in 1935. Follette taught at Southern California Bible College (now Vanguard University) and Elim Bible Institute, mentoring thousands. His books, including Golden Grain (1957) and Broken Bread, compiled posthumously, offer spiritual insights on maturity and holiness. A prolific poet, he published Smoking Flax and Other Poems (1936), blending Scripture with mystical reflections. Married with no recorded children, he ministered globally in his later years, speaking at conferences in Europe and North America. His words, “It is much easier to do something for God than to become something for God,” urged deeper faith. Follette’s teachings, preserved in over 100 articles and tapes, remain influential in Pentecostal and charismatic circles.
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John Follette emphasizes the importance of hymns in worship, acknowledging personal preferences and frustrations with certain songs. He categorizes hymns into three types: experience hymns focusing on self, prayer hymns for specific requests, and worship hymns directed to God. Despite our limitations, when the Holy Spirit moves, our songs become a beautiful offering to God, though still falling short of the heavenly worship. Follette encourages humility in worship, asking God to accept our imperfect praise.
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I don't always enjoy hymns and music used in some places. Some songs annoy me. They have a rhythm, and a tempo that is not in rhythm, and in gear with what I feel in my spirit, and it annoys me. We have so few hymns going back to God. Most of them are salvation hymns. There are three kinds of hymns: 1. Experience hymns center on self. 2. Prayer hymns are for something or someone. 3. Worship hymns are directed to Him. He knows our limitations, but when the Spirit keeps moving, He makes one lovely song -- our songs, our singing seem very shallow as against the melodies, and the glory, and worship in heaven. Of course, it's very broken, and seems very shallow, but it's the best that we have. "Dear Lord, look on our hearts, and read them; receive from us what little we have."
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John Wright Follette (1883 - 1966). American Bible teacher, author, and poet born in Swanton, Vermont, to French Huguenot descendants who settled in New Paltz, New York, in the 1660s. Raised Methodist, he received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit in 1913 while studying at a Bible school in Rochester, New York, later teaching there until its closure. Ordained in 1911 by the Council of Pentecostal Ministers at Elim Tabernacle, he affiliated with the Assemblies of God in 1935. Follette taught at Southern California Bible College (now Vanguard University) and Elim Bible Institute, mentoring thousands. His books, including Golden Grain (1957) and Broken Bread, compiled posthumously, offer spiritual insights on maturity and holiness. A prolific poet, he published Smoking Flax and Other Poems (1936), blending Scripture with mystical reflections. Married with no recorded children, he ministered globally in his later years, speaking at conferences in Europe and North America. His words, “It is much easier to do something for God than to become something for God,” urged deeper faith. Follette’s teachings, preserved in over 100 articles and tapes, remain influential in Pentecostal and charismatic circles.