Family Legacy, South Dakota
This story begins with a letter sent back in 1845 by a man in the 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, grand children 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 of 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, geat 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.
