John Newell is the son of a preacher and the grandson of a deacon; he was baptized at seven years old. He served as an assistant Sunday school teacher at the age of fourteen, and h...view moreJohn Newell is the son of a preacher and the grandson of a deacon; he was baptized at seven years old. He served as an assistant Sunday school teacher at the age of fourteen, and he continued to serve and work under approximately nine pastors as an ordained deacon.view less