Bishop Nathaniel A. Urshan

Nathaniel Andrew Urshan was born August 29, 1920 in St. Paul, Minnesota where his father, Andrew David Urshan was pastor at Midway Tabernacle. Nathaniel was the second of four children, and the first son born into the family. Soon after the birth of Nathaniel, the Urshan family moved to Chicago, Illinois. For several years, Andrew Urshan used Chicago as a base of operations for his evangelistic ministry. In 1932 the Urshan family moved to New York City. The following year A.D. Urshan assumed the pastorate of Apostolic Faith Christian church in that city. After graduation from high school Nathaniel enrolled at Columbia University, where he majored in premedical studies and sports. Nathaniel was drafted by the Chicago White Sox and played baseball in their minor league farm system. Although Nathaniel grew up in a home where prayer and faith were greatly stressed, he did not become serious about serving God until he was in college. Late one night when he returned home with alcohol on his breath, his father marched him to the church and demanded that he kneel at the altar. The desperate prayer of his father that night so startled young Nathaniel that he was moved to begin seeking the Lord. Soon afterward, he was filled with the Holy Ghost. A short time later he received his call to the ministry. Nathaniel met Jean Habig in 1938, when she accompanied Raymond Hoekstra and his wife, who had traveled from Indianapolis to preach a series of meetings in New York City. After a romance that included singing and praying together in revivals, Nathaniel and Jean were married on October 1, 1941, at Calvary Tabernacle in Indianapolis, Indiana. To this union were born four children: Sharon Sue, Annette Ruth, Nathaniel Paul, and Andrew David. In December of 1941, the newlyweds began holding revivals that took them into Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas, Missouri, and Idaho. In February 1943, Nathaniel Urshan became associate pastor to C.C. Kirby in Royal Oaks, Michigan, where the family stayed for two and a half years before resuming evangelistic work. For a short time he assisted Raymond Hoekstra at Calvary Tabernacle. By a strong vote the church concurred with this decision, and thus began a successful pastorate in the city of Indianapolis that lasted for thirty years. Nathaniel Urshan has served in a number of official capacities in the Oneness Pentecostal movement. from 1942 to 1943 he held the position of national youth president for the Assemblies of Jesus Christ. From 1959 to 1977 he served as a district presbyter for the Indiana District of the United Pentecostal church International. He was a member of the Board of Christian Education from 1955 to 1971. From 1961 to 1978 and again from 1983 until the time of his retirement, he was a speaker for the Harvestime radio program. From 1971 to 1978 he served as Assistant General Superintendent of the Eastern Zone of the UPCI. In 1977 he was elected to the position of General Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church International, a position he held until he retired in 2002. On March 11, 2005, Nathaniel Andrew Urshan was gathered into the arms of God. He was 84 years of age. Brother Urshan was Inducted into the Apostolic Ministerial Hall of Fame in 2005.