One of Bob’s recent purchases was, A Martyr’s Grace, by Marvin J. Newell. Dr. Newell has served as a missionary for more than two decades, is a former professor at Moody Graduate School and executive director of International Foreign Missions Association. Newell’s book is an anthology of stories about Moody Bible Institute alumni who were martyred for their faith.
Moody has never been a huge school. Present undergraduate enrollment is 1620 on the Chicago campus. The school’s web site reports, "Since our founding by D.L. Moody in 1886, Moody Bible Institute has been committed to helping people across the globe, cultures and generations to take the next step toward spiritual maturity. For more than 125 years, Christ-followers have come to Moody to be richly equipped in God's Word to impact the world for Christ." Between 1900 and 2002 21 young men and women heroically laid down their lives while serving as missionaries. Some witnessed their spouse’s execution moments before they were executed. Their children were sometimes slaughtered with their parents. In more than one circumstance, Moody alumni were martyred alongside missionaries who were graduates of other fine colleges and seminaries.
One of the missionaries martyred with Moody alumni was J. W. Tucker. He and I were classmates in 1963. Reverend Tucker was 48 years-old and completing work he had begun years before at another school which did not offer the needed degree to continue missionary service. I sat directly behind "J. W." in a science class at Central Bible College. We science students loved J. W. because he would interrupt the drab routines of class lectures by bringing specimens of bugs and plants in sealed jars. We gladly gathered around for a closer look and listened to the four-term veteran missionary’s stories. The freshman level class was otherwise very forgettable!
The school year ended, J. W. Tucker received his degree and returned to the Congo with his wife Angela and their three children. Thanksgiving Day I awoke to the sweet aromas of a turkey baking in the oven and an array of foods prepared for the family feast later in the day. My father and mother were listening to the old Crosley radio on the kitchen table. (Our family was the last clan in the City of Detroit to own a television.) The news reported read, "American Assemblies of God missionary J. W. Tucker has been killed in Pauli, Belgian Congo." Reverend Tucker remains the only Assemblies of God missionary to die on the field as a martyr.
Moody Bible Institute is similar, older and somewhat larger than my alma mater. Yet Moody seems to have a disproportionate number of its alumni lay down their lives for the sake of the Gospel. A more thorough study may reveal causes for the disparity between the schools. For me, the sobering lessons of Dr. Newell’s, A Martyr’s Grace, and my brief encounter with J. W. include the following. The lesson is followed by a simple, but important prayer.
Great men and women are about us and we often do not appreciate them until they are gone. "Lord, open my eyes and allow me to learn from them."
The chapels at Moody Bible Institute and Central Bible College were formative and dynamic places of preparation in the lives of martyrs. (CBC called chapel "the classroom of the Holy Spirit.") "Lord, may I grow in your presence when worshiping and learn with others."
Every generation experiences martyrdom. People are dying today because of their faith. The church is being persecuted today. And in our lifetime, martyrdom may become a reality in North America. "Lord, may my family, friends and I be prepared for every challenge to our faith."
If you "Google" "J. W. Tucker," ample material is within reach on several web sites. I would give you Bob’s address and phone number, but then I would run the risk of losing my source of great reading material!
Remember, "Life is good!" And it is also unpredictable.
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