The Reverend Malcolm J. Edwards lived from November 14, 1933 until August 8, 1961. Within these twenty-seven years is a lifetime of devotion. That Malcolm's years of ministry might be extended through his gift of poetry the book The Sparks Fly Upward (which this web site was created from) was published and includes poems written in his early youth.
Malcolm and his twin brother Melvin were the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Jack W. Edwards. The boys were born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and came to Phoenix, Arizona at a very young age. At the age of thirteen, Malcolm fell from his father's tractor into the path of a disk harrow. His injury was permanent and caused him continual pain, physical limitations and lengthy hospitalizations.
Accepting Christ as his Saviour at seventeen, Malcolm entered the ministry in the early 1950's. He was one of a number of young preachers who came out of the Southside Assembly of God Church in Phoenix, Arizona. He became Assistant Pastor of this same church in 1956 after having served there as the Youth Director.
In January, 1955 Malcolm met Ellen Wilhite. They were married on March 15, 1957. His poem "My Wife" was written on the occasion of their first wedding anniversary.
After Malcolm resigned from Southside Assembly, he worked for awhile with Missionary Evangelist Richard E. Jeffery. Late in 1959 and into 1960 he served as Pastor of the Avondale Assembly of God Church in Avondale, Arizona. Following this call, he was Assistant Pastor of the Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God in Phoenix, Arizona.
In addition to his church work, Malcolm had worked for the Arizona Highway Department for eight years. He was working there at the time of his accidental drowning.
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
II Timothy 4:5-7
The pattern of Malcolm's life included prayer meetings after church services, roadside prayer gatherings and many Bible discussion groups. Some of his first preaching was done during church conducted street meetings and at a small Pentecostal Rescue Mission on Second Street and Madison in Phoenix, Arizona. These services played a great part in forming his Christian character.
The messaage of Malcolm's life was this: that man can with determination, will pwer and primariliy faith in God transcend physical handicap and intense torment. Can surge ahead toward a goal of winning the lost to Him and can reach it.
The out standing quality of Malcolm's life was his joy expressed by his warm smile, his ready wit and his merry heart. This delight was the mark of a truly religious man, who had overcome his world in the truest sense...a world of agony. Here in the midst of suffering was an example of faithfulness, courage and dedication. Truly this was a garden: a work toward peace, beauty, growth.
Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden.