When you think about “history class” from your high school days, what kind of memories do you have–good or bad?  Kathy and I had a U.S. History teacher in high school that was very, very dry and boring. It did not make the studying of history very enjoyable!  When we came to class on Monday, the chalkboard was totally filled with dates, names, and events and by Friday we were expected to have them all memorized for a test. 

     But history can be a very exciting subject when we see God’s hand at work in orchestrating the affairs of man to accomplish His purposes. After all, “history is His Story” !  On September 21st Faith Bible Church in Libby, Montana (where we attend) celebrated its 70th anniversary and Kathy and I were asked to share about the history of the church–how it began–since Kathy’s dad, Clarence Kutz, was the first pastor.  Then yesterday, we went to Three Lakes Community Bible Church near Troy, Montana to share about its beginning as they celebrated their 50th anniversary. I pastored there from its beginning in 1975 until retiring in 2011.  (NOTE: I guess this tells you something about our history, i.e. that we have had a lot of birthdays!).

     As we looked back at the events that took place, and the people who were involved to establish both local assemblies of believers, we were reminded of how God, in His sovereignty, is always at work putting together all the pieces to fulfill His plan. The gospel writer, Matthew, records Jesus’ words to His disciples at Caesarea Philippi,  “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it” (Mt. 16:18). In response to Jesus’ question to the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” (v. 15),  Peter had answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v. 16). Jesus used a play on words, for the name Peter in the Greek is petros and means “a detached rock or stone which can be easily moved.” In the next phrase, “upon this rock,” Jesus used petra which means a massive rock or cliff. Jesus was likely contrasting Peter to Himself. “You are a small rock, but I am the Foundation of the church.” Paul wrote, “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid which is Jesus Christ” (I Cor. 3:11). Our lives and the church would be built upon Him, whom Peter confessed was “the Christ” (the Messiah, God the Son). In reference to the “spiritual rock” from which the Israelites drank and which “followed them,” Paul added, “and the rock was Christ” (I Cor. 10:4). 

     The “church” of which Jesus spoke, that He would “build,” referred to all those from Pentecost on who would trust in Christ’s work at the cross to put away their sin. The Greek word translated “church” is ecclesia, which means “”called out ones” (cf Acts 15:14), those who were “chosen in Christ from before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4). They would be placed (baptized or immersed) by the Holy Spirit into Christ’s body, the church (I Cor. 12:12,13). But, God would also establish local assemblies of believers where they could be equipped for ministry to build up His body and go out to reach others and fulfill His command to take the Gospel to the “remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8) and “make disciples of all the nations” (Mt. 28:19). 

     Initially, God used the Apostles, including Paul, to take the Gospel into new areas and to establish churches. Many churches were established in Asia Minor and then Paul got his call to go to Macedonia (Greece) and a local church was established in Philippi and in Corinth. Paul’s letters in the New Testament were written either to churches or to pastors of those churches. God knew that those who become members of the “universal church,” would need encouragement and training to grow and to be effective, so He orchestrated the establishment of local assemblies of believers all over the world–including Libby and Troy Montana !

     Faith Bible Church in Libby was one of the byproducts of a Youth For Christ Rally in Libby in January, 1954, in which a number of families came to Christ (and also a couple pastors!). Lou and Nora Mae Auge and family were among those saved. They started a home Bible study taught by Al Oursland, principal of the Junior High. The group grew and decided they needed to start a church. They called Clarence Kutz who had moved from New Jersey to pastor in Wilsall, Montana (north of Livingston). How he got to Wilsall is also quite a story in itself to see how God worked to bring that about. He accepted the invitation and Faith Bible Church began, first in the Auge home, then in the Grange Hall, and finally in its own building. God has used it mightily as a lighthouse in the community and in sending and supporting many missionaries worldwide. Three Lakes Community Bible Church where I pastored for 37 years has its roots in FBC. In the next “Wisdom of the Week,” I will share how that happened. But suffice it to say, it has been very exciting and encouraging and faith-building to reflect on how God was behind the scenes moving in hearts to put people in the right place at the right time to fulfill His purpose in “building His Church.” To God be the glory, great things He has done!!

Forever His,

Pastor Dave