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A road winds towards the mountains, illustrating how Chris Schuman was undaunted by rural ministry and followed God's path wherever it led.

Chris Schuman, How Did You Find Us?

This is the third installment in our series, "As the Lord Leads," telling the story of Chris Schuman's ministry in Canada. We invite you to start with the first installment, "A Single Woman Undaunted by Rural Ministry" if you haven't already read it.

The steering wheel and control panel of a classic blue car such as the one Chris Schuman may have driven.

Chris Schuman was on the road again in her blue Chevy Impala. She was fully committed to her assignment from the founder of Village Missions, Reverend Duff: find potential fields for the first Village Missionaries in Canada.

One August evening in 1968, Chris spoke to a small group gathered at the Laura Keer Memorial Church in Marysville, B.C. “How did you ever find us?” a woman asked with tears in her eyes.

Surely it was not just coincidence that had led Chris to this group for what might have been the last meeting of their little church. No, it was not a coincidence, but the leading of God’s Holy Spirit who had directed her path in answer to their prayers that God would provide them with leadership. It was what Chris called a “God happening.” This rural church had not had a resident pastor for some five years, and what was once a flourishing witness for the Lord had gradually dwindled to about 4 or 6 at the morning service. But they had remained faithful and were deeply concerned for their community’s spiritual welfare.

These are the kind of people Chris was seeking!

At Home on the Road

s later, she wrote the following to friends:

“The work, to put it mildly, is challenging and would be more difficult if it weren’t for the many friends whom I have made along the way. A real provision of the Lord! Every few nights I find myself in new surroundings and part of another lovely family.

“Make no mistake, Canada is a Mission Field! It is a sobering and saddening experience to look into the heart of Canada’s rural and village life and to see, in so many instances, the spiritual poverty… It seems impossible that so many in our own land are ignorant of what the Bible really teaches. But – and this brings me back to the challenge that lies ahead of us – ‘How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?’”  

Retired Village Missionary Roy Adrian recalls Chris well. “She traveled east and west and north and south like you can’t believe! Sometimes her back was so painful that she asked others to drive so that she could stretch out in the back seat of her car.[1]

She drove on paved roads, gravel roads and dirt roads. On one visit to Tahsis -- a town on the west coast of Vancouver Island -- she traveled for 12 hours on the Uchuck coastal freighter and then on a small boat that the pilot described as a “death trap.”

By the end of 1970, she had surveyed much of British Columbia and paved the way for Village Missionaries to be sent to several fields there. She had also surveyed parts of Alberta.

Going East with Eyes Open for God Happenings

In 1971 Chris set out for Quebec. She wrote to friends:

September 17, 1971

Last week I received unexpected word that I was to begin my survey work in the Province of Quebec! I had to quickly repack my thoughts, changing them from Northerly to Easterly and to think French Canada. Besides the difference in climate, culture and language, this means a two-thousand-mile drive across country as I will need my automobile there.

Two days later she wrote to Mr. and Mrs. Duff from Montreal:

My greetings to you on this lovely sunny Sunday. I’m in a suburb of Montreal, staying at the home of Rev. & Mrs. Ben Dyck of the Gospel Missionary Union.

You are no doubt somewhat surprised that I am here but a series of ‘happenings’ made it seem a wise move. Here I hope to ascertain the needs, the opportunity of VM, not only in Quebec, but also Ontario and Manitoba. This can partly be gained by the Dycks, who have a large Radio ministry to the French Canadians which reaches into Manitoba etc.

Re. Quebec Province. …On Monday I am meeting with Rev. Philips of the Fellowship Baptists - he is their missions chairman. He was most interested and helpful on the phone. He felt that there could certainly be an opening and need of our work in the Eastern Townships.

…I plan to visit the Bethel Bible Institute, a French language school. After my time there I plan to go the northerly route through Ontario….

Seeking Potential Missionaries

Chris also helped recruit Canadian Village Missionaries.

Chris Schuman met Frank & Ruth Fehr, pictured here on their wedding day.
Frank & Ruth Fehr are pictured here on their wedding day.

Just when she was wondering where to find a couple to go to the first VM field, she met Frank and Ruth Fehr at an alumni event organized by the school she had attended: Millar College of the Bible. The Fehrs became the first resident Village Missionaries of Canada, taking up residence in Willow River on November 1, 1968. After that, Chris regularly visited Bible schools such as Prairie Bible Institute and Peace River Bible Institute. She was always on the lookout for opportunities to present the work of Village Missions and connect with potential missionaries.

October 19th, 1971

Dear Mr. Duff:

It is so good to trace the Good Hand of the Lord on His work.

Briercrest Bible Institute with its approximate 500 Bible school students has been on my heart and mind.

Yesterday I had one of God's Happenings. I was visiting my nephew in intensive care at the hospital when I caught a glimpse of Mr. Hildebrandt, the principal of Briercrest. He too had seen me for when I went into his room for a visit, he was very cordial and said that he had wanted to contact me for some months….  

He had many questions to ask relating to our general policies. He had apparently visited [a VM field in the US] and been very impressed with the V.M. program. He said, "Miss Schuman, I have studied the prairie situation for many years. This is the best thing that has hit the prairies in 36 years, and I am quite sincere when I say it." (He was of course speaking of the rural and village areas of the prairies.)

Mr. Hildebrandt does a beautiful job of guiding his school. His interest in his students is keen, and they do have an excellent program. I have 'coveted' these couples for our work.

He wants me to come in March and spend a week in school, mingling with the students, especially the senior ones. He will give me complete support. This is what I have been looking and hoping for but hardly daring to expect….

              Rejoicing in the Lord's direction.
              Yours, in His Love
              Chris Schuman

In the late 1970s, Chris was still visiting Bible colleges. Gordon Rowland first met her when he was a student at Nipawin Bible College. “Later, when Val and I had been married a few months, living in Saskatoon and looking into missions, our pastor asked if I had considered VM. We called Chris, and she didn’t take long to come over with application forms. Once we had applied, she picked us up one day and drove us to visit the Village Missionaries in Cut Knife, SK, which was about a 2.5-hour drive from Saskatoon. Chris was tenacious!”

A photo of Cut Knife church from around the time Chris Schuman visited there.

What about Marysville?

A photo of Marysville Community Church taken in 1978.

What about the little church in Marysville, B.C.? In June 1969, they welcomed their first Village Missionaries: Don and Bette Lou Colban. Chris Schuman was there for the Colbans’ first Sunday.

Fifty-four years later, Marysville Community Church is still partnering with Village Missions.

If you've been enjoying this series, come back to check for the next installment: "A Heart for Small Rural Churches Without a Pastor".

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