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Ministry: Family Legacy
Location: Rapid City, SD and across the United States
Project: Creating a Heritage for Christ
Story: This story begins with a letter sent back in 1845 by a man
in Denmark telling a relative to remain faithful to God even in their
new home in the United States. More than 150 years later evidence of his
prayers for his family remains in the lives of his descendants and their
spouses.
That letter was sent by the great, great grandfather of Phyllis Hubin,
daughter of Harvey and Viola Christensen. The legacy of this family is
seen within the EFCA across the country. The list of ministries that
have seen the heart and hands of Harvey and Viola is extensive. While
both are now with the Lord, their lives were and continue to be an
example to their children, grandchildren and to the great grandchildren
that are still carrying on the legacy of Christ.
• Viola taught 2 and 3 year old Sunday school for 55 years!
• Harvey would make several trips to church on Sundays so that he could
bring children to Sunday school when their families didn’t attend. This
resulted in many families coming to know the Lord!
• Harvey Christensen made his first investment with Christian Investors
in 1962. According to Ed and Phyllis Hubin, Harvey was always concerned
that his money be working for God. In Phyllis’ words, “He believed CIF
investments help many ministries we won’t know until we get to heaven.”
• CIF hasn’t been the only EFCA affiliate to be blessed by the presence
of the Christensen legacy. All three of Harvey and Viola’s children went
to Trinity and two met their spouses there. Several grandchildren have
also attended Trinity and met their spouses there.
• Not only did Harvey invest his money in the traditional sense but he
invested in the ministries of countless missionaries around the world.
• In 1980, Harvey and Viola were commissioned along with their daughter
Bonnie and her husband Ed Crossman to start Rimrock EFC in Rapid City,
SD.
• Bonnie and Ed’s son, Mark Crossman is now the pastor at Southern Hills
EFC in Hot Springs, SD.
• As one of many examples from the next generation, great grandson
Anthony Hubin is now serving as a worship minister in Illinois.
• Jay Childs, married to Becky Hubin, is pastor at Midland EFC in
Michigan. (Coincidentally, Jay also has his MDiv and doctorate from
Trinity.)
This is only the beginning! The influence of faithful Christian families
can be so extensive. How exciting to see God’s faithfulness to the
prayer of a godly man in 1845 and the fruit that has been born through
these god-fearing families.
The legacy of the Christensen family intertwines with the stories of so
many other godly families. Ed Hubin, son-in-law to Harvey and Viola,
tells many more stories filled with rich blessings from lives of
faithfulness. One of these stories is from Ed’s own 70th birthday party.
For his birthday, his three sons and son-in-law planned a special
gathering to share the event. Psalm 90 came to Ed’s mind as he shared
the memories of the celebration. Psalm 90:1 reads, “Lord, you have been
our dwelling place throughout all generations.” The chapter ends with
verse 17, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the
work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands.”
What a fitting example to us all and a legacy for a family that reflects
a love for ministry and a Christ-like love for others in our world.
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