Fathers of Faith

This is a broad topic and time, and space would constrain us to talk about all the men of old which we refer to as, “Fathers of Faith”. In the book of Hebrews chapter 11 we can read of those fathers of faith from the previous era, “who loved not their lives unto death.”

When we think of our Fathers of faith our minds automatically turn to the apostles, and brethren such as Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Obbe Phillips, Dirk Phillips, Menno Simons, Dirk Williams, Peter Waldo, and more currently, John Holdeman, Tobias Unruh, Peter Toews, and Fedrick C. Fricke. Others include Clifford Mastry, John A. Koehn, Ruben Koehn as well as many others. These are only prominent names we hear of which we know who were called of God to lead and faithfully fulfilled their calling, each in their given time and place. There were of course many, many more who did not fill such a prominent roll yet were just as important to the preservation of the faith.

The pages of the Martyr’s Mirror are full of accounts of men, women, and young people who faithfully answered the call of God and paid for it with their own lives. There are many interesting accounts of their conversions. For instance, Menno Simons was a Catholic priest who began to study the Bible. He had heard of a faithful brother by the name of Sicke Snyder who had died for his faith. Upon studying the scripture about the baptism of infants it led him to the conviction of the partying sinful life which he was living, to becoming a follower of Christ. For almost a year afterwards he preached repentance in the Catholic church where he resided. He was baptized into the Anabaptist faith by Obbe Phillips. Another interesting note is the Tobias Unruh who was a minister in another denomination had a tobacco habit which he tried at times to hide from his people. However, when he afterwards repented of his sin, the Lord removed that addiction.

There are many other faithful brothers and sisters who have written testimonies of their faith and encouragements to others whom they left behind. Rather than trying to separate these men and women to understand their lives, we should look at the common threads which bound them to the fire and stake. Like an inspiration a brother recently shared with me about the Faith and Church of God; in my own words:

“If we enjoy and appreciate what we have, we will try to preserve it for the following generations. We will not just throw things out and say they are old and do not apply anymore.”

Their Faith and obedience are why we call them our “Fathers of Faith.” Ordinary people, trusting in a mighty God. They were indeed and ordinary people with an extra ordinary faith. The faith once delivered to the saints.

They shunned the limelight, choosing the way of humility, poverty, and cross bearing. Many times, facing severe trials for their faith and many died refusing to deny their Lord. The validity of their faith was often tested by trial, fire, and sword. They were grounded in the scripture and doctrine of the Word. They treasured their faith and relationship with God more than their own lives, as well as family ties. It was not uncommon that the witness of their faith in the face of persecution and death, caused their persecutors to also surrender to Christ.

Their faith was not just a belief, but a saving faith, which gave them power in the face of death. They truly loved the Lord more than anything on the earth.

They believed in a called out, separate life. For many, they knew to become a Christian was likely a death sentence. They ceased from worldly entertainment and parties as well as worldly associates which would lead them away from Christ.

The present church fellowship is a result of the work of many faithful brethren, as well as our private schools. These brethren, like Martin Luther King once said, “I have a dream!”, only this was more than a dream; it was spirit guided vision. Many of them such as John Holdeman spent many hours away from their families to see that vision come to fruition. Unfortunately for John, his time away from his family may be the cause of his own children taking their own way. He was not a perfect man and because if it faced some trials in the church. At one time he sat and wept, saying, “If you see such serious error that you will excommunicate me, I submit to that.”

Sometime back in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, the conviction fell upon the brethren that to preserve the faith and save our families, we would need to separate from the worldly environment of the public school system. This vision no doubt was born out of true conviction of the saving faith. Today, we all have reaped the blessing of that vision.

From the early days of the church in Acts of the apostles, until present day, true believers have come together to discuss how the scripture applies to the day in which they live. Hence, we have the 18, as well as the 33 articles of faith, drawn up at conferences of believers in Europe. It has always been so with the true people of God; He is drawing them together in the same faith. This apostolic vision was carried on in the early days of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. As different problems would arise, they would come together in a conference, to understand through the Holy Spirit’s leading, how to apply the scripture to the challenges of the day. This same practice has continued until the present day. Since the first conference in the day of the apostles, the people of God have considered it to be the highest ruling authority in the Church.

The vision of the mission program I believe started with John A Koehn, going to Mexico. Today, that vision has grown to the Church having missionaries in some 30 countries of the world and continues to expand through the internet to some of the unreachable peoples.

As a result of the world wars, units and preparatory classes were started. Once again it was brethren with concern and vision of the future, as well as the preservation and love of the Truth.

The Christian faith and Church of God, has and will always have, men of faith, with a vision. Men who love the Lord, not willing to compromise the truth. Men willing to change their lives to fit the faith, rather than changing the faith to fit their lives.  May we be one of these men and women of faith