William Branham Agreed to Help Boost Jim Jones Popularity

Wiliam Branham's introduction to Jim Jones research page updated:
https://william-branham.org/site/research/topics/william_branhams_introduction_to_jim_jones 

Link to the letter:
https://william-branham.org/site/resource?key=9533c98b-fa87-40c6-bfd2-6a0fb88907f4&parent=william_branhams_introduction_to_jim_jones 

In 1955, almost three hundred ministers met under the name "free fellowship" at a convention held by William Branham's business associate and close friend, Joseph Mattsson-Boze of the Philadelphia Church in Chicago.  It was unanimously agreed with "100% unity" that the organization would help to boost Jim Jones' work in Indianapolis.  William Branham was present.  The resulting decision was that the ministers would have Jim Jones and Peoples Temple host the 1956 convention of "free fellowship" in Indianapolis.  

William Branham, who had been recently silenced by Gordon Lindsay and the Voice of Healing revivalists, was not eager to speak before the convention of Mattsson-Boze’s Herald of Faith revivalists.  Boze took a stand in favor of Jones, however, and William Branham eventually agreed to help with the efforts to give Jones a boost into fame in the Post WWII Healing Revival.  The outcome of this boost was a tragedy that has been the focal point for many religious and social studies, presented in countless textbooks and documentaries.

Full Text of the Letter:

Rev. James W. Jones
Peoples Temple Parsonage
15th & N. New Jersey Sts.
Indianapolis, Ind.

Dear Brother Jones: Greetings!

Just a few lines to tell you that I was so sorry that you could not come to our convention.  The Lord granted us a most outstanding convention.  This glorious free fellowship is being born.  There was such unity among the brethren.  In three open sessions Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we settled all our business with 100% unity.  The rest of the meeting was just a steady praise to God.

We had between 2-300 ministers present, many of them having great works and great experiences.  The East and the South were powerfully represented, something that never happened before. 

The Philadelphia Church was often filled in the daytime and in the evening we had the Lane Tech.  It is such a beautiful auditorium able to seat approximately 3,000 people.  Rev. Branham as well as Rev. Tommy Hicks ministered under great annointing and we saw many wonderful things happen.  There is a tremendous inspiration among the brethren at the present time.

On my recommendation it was decided to have the next convention June 11-15 in Indianapolis with you as the host pastor.  We will all build up towards this meeting and I am doing all I can to get Rev. Branham to minister in the evening services.  I took this stand that your work in Indianapolis will get a boost also.  It is a wonderful thing to have a convention.

Of course I have carried the financial responsibilities for our convention here but you would not need to worry about that as the convention naturally would operate independently.  I say again that I really regret you could not be with us.  You surely missed something.  There was something in this convention that cannot be told by words.

Would you have time to write an article for our Christmas issue of the Herald of Faith?  I would need to have it within a week or two.  I shall appreciate it so much.  Please greet Mrs. Jones and all the friends so much from me.

JDMB/mn
Very sincerely yours,

A copy of the letter can be found in the publications section on the research page.