Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

How Was a Work Located There?The Associate Presbyterian Churchhad disposed of the Ozark mission inKentucky early in this century. Therewere many in the church who lamentedthe selling of this mission tothe Reformed Presbyterian Church(New Lights) and yearned for thebeginning of a new work. Iowa Presbyterywas delegated to seek a spot for the churchto locate a minister to begin mission work.Several men from the Minneola, Kansas,church and the late Rev. Basil G. McBeefrom Washington, Iowa, surveyed theareas and finally chose Chester as the hubof work in surrounding mountain communities.The Rev. Mr. Fred Zitzmann, freshfrom seminary, began work here in 1948.In addition, a group of young people,largely from Sterling College, worked herethe first summer. Among those earlyworkers was the Rev. Gene Spear. Bibleschools were held in surrounding communitieseach year by the young people ofthe church who became known as Bibleschool workers.Tribute must be paid to Miss EmmaLee McKissick who had such a burden forthe work there until the Lord took herhome.The Work NowMany changes occurred over theintervening years. The church had boughta property which was repaired and furnishedoriginally to accommodate Mr.Zitzmann and his family. After he left thedenomination, the house was used eachsummer by the volunteer workers whowere paid a salary during their stay inArkansas. The church also owned vehicleswhich were used to transport the childrenwho lived at remote distances to thenearest schools in the area. The focus ofwork of late years has been the Bibleschools in Chester and surroundingcommunities.The ResultsThe generation originally taught inthe Bible schools now have children andgrandchildren. Many are active in thelocal churches. They have rejoiced at thereturn of our young people each year. Noone can count or enumerate those whohave known the Savior through theseefforts. The whole effort was on plantingthe seed.The greatest testimony as to thevalue of the work here is the positivechange in the lives of those who workedhere each year — both in the positiverelationships among the workers and alsothe effect in their Christian testimony andlife.The FutureThis work, after the union, wasPlaced in the hands of the Home MissionBoard. It is proposed because of theAPRIL 28, 1971changing condition which now exists in thiscommunity, the high expense of theprogram, and the distance from existingcongregations, that this work be discontinuedafter this year and that an appropriatealternate mission field besecured.For Our Prayers1. For the Home Mission Board in thematter of the work in Chester, Arkansas,that proper decisions be made and that theLord leads to work which will bring asgratifying results to our attention.2. For workers for this summer, for thepupils in the schools, and for the fruit fromlabors here.3. For those charged with administrationof this work.4. For development of home missionefforts and commitment of our membersto the witness for Christ.MY SHARE IN CALVARYI SEE the crowd in Pilate's Hall,I mark their wrathful mien;Their shouts of "crucify" appal,With blasphemy between.And of that shouting multitudeI feel that I am one;And in that din of voices rudeI recognize my own.'Twas I that shed that sacred blood;I nailed Him to the Tree;I crucified the Christ of God;I joined the mockery.Around the Cross the throng I seeMocking the Sufferer's groan;Yet still my voice it seems to beAs if I mocked alone.Yet not the less that Blood availsTo cleanse away my sin;And not the less that Cross prevailsTo give me peace within.HORATIUS BONARAVAILABLE Psalm record...God'sWord, The Psalms written to music. IWill Thee Praise...Praise Waits forThee....Scottish Records (The Psalms) LNo. 1 through L No. 2. All these recordsare beautiful and should be in yourhome. Price $3.00 to $3.50.ARE YOU WITNESSING? If you areunable to speak yourself for Christ andwould like to...Howabout using tracts?Tom Joseph has an excellent tract thathe wrote himself, titled "God's Wordand YOU." Available through the BlueBanner Book Store, 703 Fort Street,Box 427, Hays, Ks. 6"b01. 50 for $1.00.