A Gem in the Water

CONTENTS

Glossary of Terms xv

Introduction 1

A History of the 1909 Chilean Pentecostal Revival 11

Hoover the Methodist 25

Hoover the Pentecostal 35

Hoover the Methodist Pentecostal 45

Theological Contributions from Hoover 65

Conclusion 91

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alfred Cooper, born in Chile, later educated at the Oratory School in Reading UK, is Bishop in Santiago’s Anglican Church. After university studies at Bristol University, his Master’s degree at Azusa Pacific University, he completed his doctoral studies at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies in June 2024. He is Rector of a large and growing church in Santiago, that has planted over nine daughter churches over the last 30 years. During his time as Chaplain to President Sebastián Piñera, he was involved with the rescue of the 33 trapped miners in Copiapó in 2010. His interest in the theme of Pentecostal theology and the 1909 Chilean revival was sparked off while interacting with many Pentecostal leaders in the Palace ceremonies. His close ties with the Church Mission Society down the years and his marriage to Hilary Barratt, daughter of South American Mission Society mission partner Tony Barratt of Theological Education by Extension fame, has kept him close to the ground in missional education and transformation.

A Gem in the Water
A Contribution to Contemporary Pentecostal Theology on Baptism of the Holy Spirit from a Study of Willis Hoover’s Chilean Methodist Pentecostalism

A Gem in the Water explores the Pentecostal doctrine of Baptism of the Holy Spirit (the Gem) and its effects and ripples on the water of Chilean society. The revival that broke out in 1909 has been described as ‘the first autochthonous Pentecostal church revival anywhere in the developing world’ (Dr Luis Orellana). Previous to 1909, Chile experienced Methodist Radical Holiness visitations, but Valparaiso, where the revival broke out under Pastor Willis Hoover and his wife Mary Anne (both originating from Chicago) initiated a renewed, world‐wide Pentecostal Triangle together with Mukti, India and Azusa Street. The book draws up Hoover’s previously unwritten Methodist Pentecostal Theology and proposes a theological theory of Pneuma‐plasticity, overcoming the unnecessary problem of 'subsequentialism’ that arises with the Pentecostal doctrine of Baptism of the Holy Spirit. It proposes that the Pentecostal blessing as portrayed in Acts of the Apostles is available and accessible to all churches today.

I have known Alf Cooper for more than 40 years as a Pastor, teacher, church planter and the Chaplin to the President of Chile as well as the official voice to the President in representation of the Protestant churches in our nation. But above all, a revivalist. One time a journalist asked John Wesley: “People come by the thousands to hear you preach, what is your secret”? Wesley responded: “I pray every morning until God lights a fire in my soul, then people come to watch me burn”! I think that is a good description of my friend Alf Cooper. This book is a long awaited documentation of the Chilean Pentecostal revival that marked that nation of Chile.
Rev Roger Cunningham is National Coordinator of the Chilean Vineyards for 8 years, founder and senior Pastor of the Las Condes Vineyard for 25 years, apostolic leader for revival and Youth Movements in Chile.

Anyone with an interest in the origins of the Methodist Pentecostal revival in Valparaiso, one of the great revivals of the early twentieth century, and William Hoover, the chief pastoral figure within it, will find in A Gem in the Water, an abridged version of the author’s doctoral thesis, a very accessible and informative introduction. Beyond that, one of the book's peculiar qualities is the lively interaction between the subject matter and Alf’s own lifelong engagement with missional leadership and charismatic renewal. The closing reflections on subsequent experiences of the Holy Spirit and Alf’s concept of Pneuma Plasticity alone are worth the price of admission.
Venerable Charles Hudson, Archdeacon of St Albans

For the sake of the furtherance of understanding the gift of God, the Holy Spirit, it is noteworthy that this shorter summary of Alf Cooper's PhD thesis is now available in a compact form for the general public. Cooper combines both an historical survey of the ministry of a leading pastor from a Methodist background (Willis Hoover) who experienced what has become known as 'the baptism of the Spirit' with a theological discourse on the implications for the world‐wide church of contemporary insights into a fuller discernment of all that the Holy Spirit can mean. Being the distillation of a doctoral research project, the reader will find some fascinating fresh thinking on how the Holy Spirit can be received in a way that helps Christians from different backgrounds to appreciate the magnitude of the Spirit's many blessings. The book is likely to open new perceptions. It is truly original in its scope. It is more than worthwhile to discover the new gems to be found.
Andrew Kirk, Research Fellow at the Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology

Although Rev Willis Hoover was deeply suspicious of academic theology, in this book Alfredo Cooper offers the first and much needed systematization of the theology implicit in the 34 years of pastoral practice and the few writings of the foremost leader of Chilean ‘Pentecostal Methodism’.
Dr Juan Sepúlveda, Professor in la Comunidad Teológica de Chile, President of SEPADE (Evangelical Service for Development, Chile)

A stunning account of the spectacular 1909 nationwide Pentecostal revival in Chile, coupled with an urgent theological and missiological challenge for the broader Church.
Rev Prof Max Turner MA PhD, Professor of New Testament Studies, London School of Theology, joint supervisor to Cooper’s thesis

Alfredo Cooper shares his doctoral research based on primary and unpublished sources, such as the journals produced and published by members of the Chilean Pentecostal movement between 1909 and 1938. This academic work is a must‐read for those interested in understanding the details and context of the experience of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in Chile among the most socially disadvantaged groups. I had the privilege of supporting, suggesting, and discussing theoretical and methodological aspects in my capacity as Alfredo's thesis supervisor. These were enjoyable and mutually enriching moments.
Dr Luis Orellana Urtubia, Head Professor, Institute of Cultural and Territorial Studies, Arturo Prat University – Victoria Campus – Chile