Facing the Unknown

We are in the midst of a great challenge. The fear and concern that grips our nation seems to hinge upon one word…unknown. No one knows for sure how this virus appeared, when it will stop, or if another wave of Covid-19 will pass through again. It seems that everyone and anyone can be a carrier. Each surface, door handle, or piece of paper could be hiding the disease.

The last time America saw such unknowns was during the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918-1920. By the time the 3rd wave of the influenza had swept through, over 500,000 people in the United States had died. All of my grandparents survived those years, and almost everyone was affected.

All of my grandparents survived those years, and almost everyone was affected.

My grandmother, Carrie Dennis (1903-2008), lived on a farm in central Indiana. Her father, Rev. M.M. Wiles preached at a small, country church, as he worked his livestock. When that deadly influenza hit, it claimed the life of my grandmother’s older sister, Ethel.

My maternal grandfather, Dr. D.W. Crankshaw (1887-1977), played a different role in the crisis. He had become a physician in 1913 in rural Michigan. When WWI broke out, he volunteered and served as an American army doctor, sometimes on the front lines. When he returned home after the war, he went back to his practice, which was now engulfed in the Spanish Flu calamity.

My grandfather loved three things: his Lord, his family, and being a doctor.

In rural Michigan, in those days, there were no large hospitals. Instead, Dr. Crankshaw went from house to house doctoring the sick. He soon hired a driver, as his work became 24 hours a day, during the worst of the epidemic. Dr. Crankshaw would try and sleep between farms as they drove through the night. It is reported, almost miraculously, that only two of his patients died during those terrible days.

This new virus that is sweeping our nation, has not even remotely reached the levels of that epidemic of 100 years ago…but it could. Christians are to be examples during this crisis.

Throughout the Great Plague of London, which killed 100,000 in 1665, the Baptists and nonconformists remained, while the established clergy fled the city. King Charles II was the ruler of England, and he regularly jailed Baptist ministers (e.g. 12 years for John Bunyan author of Pilgrim’s Progress [1660-1672]). It is said of those enduring Baptists that they were: preaching the gospel to the living of today who became the dead of tomorrow, and administering to the sick, dying, and bereaved. (Cook, Richard. The Story of the Baptists. 1884. Greenwood, SC: Attic Press. 1976. p. 122)

Our crisis may not come to that…and I hope that it doesn’t. Still, we should determine to follow Paul’s instruction to be…steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (I Corinthians 15:58)

No Small Works

Recently, a preacher friend was touring Heritage Baptist College for the first time. Attendance was down that day, and I made a comment. He turned to me and said: “This is a big ministry.”

God has a way of reminding us at times that what we think as small can have far reaching influences.

Thirty-eight years ago, a young man, just out of high school, enrolled at Heritage. Our Bible college was very small, and it had just purchased its first 3-acre campus. The year was 1982, the boy’s name was David, and his goal was to complete an Associate of Arts degree in Bible. David lived in a small room on campus, and he studied faithfully. He graduated in 1984.

David’s next goal was to become an Army Ranger, which he soon accomplished. His love for the Lord led him to start helping his local chaplain. The Army moved David around, and the last we knew of him was in the late 1980’s, when we heard that God had led David to become an Army chaplain.

Less than two weeks ago, to our great surprise, we reconnected with David. The once young Bible college student is now Lt. Colonel David Schnarr, the garrison chaplain at Camp Ederle in Vincenza, Italy. This area in northern Italy is one of the hardest hit areas for the coronavirus in the world.

Lt. Colonel Schnarr recently wrote to us:

Yes, it has been a long time and yet really not that long ago. Thank you for the photos, they bring back good memories. And thank you for all you and your Family did during those days. Thank you. God has prepared me and used me for what He needed me to do. Please be praying for our military community here in Italy.

Pray for Brother Schnarr and his important work. Also, please pray for President Dennis’ third son, Captain Philip Dennis and his young family as they are stationed in Naples, Italy.

Graduation Week Events

At Heritage Baptist College, we have a wonderful Graduation Week scheduled for May 5 – 7. Of course, with all the recent events, many things are being put on hold.

The convenience of a smaller school allows for more flexibility. The college classes are presently postponed, but if the health situation allows, we plan to resume the last half of second semester.

We still hope to hold Commencement exercises and the Spring Banquet if the Lord allows. It may be postponed until June.

The college will keep you posted as to the timing through our Heritage Baptist College Facebook site, our website (www.hbcindiana.com), or in e-mails. The office will remain open to receive phone calls.