Elder - Chris Nussbaumer

 

I was born on a farm near Ft. Campbell in 1935. A few years earlier my parents had immigrated from Europe to live in a country known for its freedom and opportunity. My Dad was Mennonite and my Mom was from the Swiss Reformed Church. Farm life provided me with many enriching experiences including the twice daily chore of milking 50-60 cows. During the 1940’s military families stayed in our home for weeks and sometimes for months while they searched for housing. This is when I encountered people of other faiths including Jews and Catholics. But my parents never failed to have a Bible reading and prayer at the evening meal.

 At age 14, I made a “profession of faith” and joined my parents’ church. I became active in the programs of the church. One month after entering high school, I became seriously ill with a high fever and nausea for more than a week. The country doctor made a house call and diagnosed it as malaria. After being in bed for eight days, I attempted to get up. I immediately fell to the floor. After a diagnosis of Polio and undergoing rehabilitation, I was able to walk again.

 During the next few years I began to question my relationship to the Lord. The preaching of the gospel caused me great discomfort. At times I tried to reduce this dissonance by appealing to my “decision” and my church membership. But the Holy Spirit would not cease His work. One day he did. I realized that I could not just “make a decision” and become God’s adopted child. I finally realized as Jonah 2:9 declared, “Salvation comes from the Lord.” He showed me how sinful I was and how I desperately needed our Savior. A tremendous sense of peace and relief came over me when I realized what Christ had done for me. I had been forgiven and now I was God’s adopted child. God’s eternal elective love changed the course of my life forever. Later, when people at my church became aware of what happened they were shocked. I had fooled many people pretending to be a Christian, but God was not fooled. He knows our hearts.

 Time does not permit, but during the ensuing years, God has been so good to me, guiding me through school, marriage (a wonderful wife), family and work. Romans 7 clearly states, that I struggle with the sinful nature, but He is constantly correcting my course through His Spirit and His Word, as well as through wonderful Christian colleagues who are willing to help me in love and discipline.

 It is my prayer that during my retirement years that I might still bear fruit as Psalm 92 says “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no wickedness in Him. I must let Him work through me, otherwise my fruit will look more like prunes than plums. To God be the glory! “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.