The following information is from the History of Burnips, page 17-20

About 1906 Rev. Orval Lash was pastor of the United Brethren Church which was located 1 1/2 miles north of Burnips.

At this time there was a "Big Revival" in the area.

The revival motivated many people to a deeper walk with God and a greater desire for inward holiness.

In the fall of 1923, the pastor of the United Brethren Church, at that time, rev. S.I. Emory, along with Mrs. Emory, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Loew, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Brenner and Mary Gallord formed the Mission Church.

The first two years services were held upstairs in the Sons of Veterans Hall. Years later they bought the building and moved downstairs.

The date isn't known, but the Missions Church became the Pilgrim Holiness Church.

In the year 1929, with much prayer and seeking the Lord's will, the Christian Reformed Church was purchased for $3000 from John Hoekstra. The old building where the Pilgrims met was traded with John as part of the deal. The church was on Newell St.

Rev. S.I. Emory lived in the church parsonage on 30th St.

In spite of the Depression, the old house was torn down and a new one built with Rev. J.R. Thompson as master carpenter.

The church grew and added to its number. Some of the families included the Harvey Millers, Will Twinings, C.W. Loews, Fred Sebrights, John Rynbrandts, the Nelsons and others. The move to the "new" church was in 1930.

The first funeral service in the Pilgraim Holiness Church was that of C.W. Loew, who died March 11, 1930.

As time passed, the church family grew and a new church was needed. Knowing that because of the immense cost, as much work as possible, would have to be done by the members. The building would never have been built without the devoted labor of Rev. Carl Messer and the vision and skill of dedicated laymen.

Ground breaking was held in May, 1958. Much hard work and long hours led to the completion of the new building at an approximate cost of $50,000, with an estimated value, including furnishings, of $100,000.

The building was only as big as the sanctuary is now (1991). The east wing with basement and a little on the south side was added on later.

The indebtedness was "paid-in-full" November 18, 1966.

The new church building was situated west of the old Christian Reformed Church.

Membership has grown from the original 7 in 1923 to 171 in May of 1991.

Due to the merger in June of 1968 of the Pilgrim Holiness and the Wesleyan Methodish Churches, the church's name was changed to the Burnips Wesleyan Church.

Church showers and other activities were held at the Township Hall. In 1976 an activity Building was built, behind the church, to use for wedding receptions, showers and other occasions.

In the late 1970's the old parsonage was sold and a new one built at 4380 30th St.

The Lord continued to bless the church, numbers increased and the need to expand the church building arose. In 1979 the church added on and increased its seating capacity.

With the grwowing number of families and because of a desire to serve the community, play area was added to the back of the property in the late 1980's.

It soon became apparent that another pastor was needed to help serve the congregation. In 1986 a second parsonage was built. Many of the congregation helped with the work.

The Lord has blessed the church with a continual flow of new families. Many changes have taken place and a third full time staff member has been added.

There has been a growing desire to reach the youth of the community. It was decided, after much prayer and meditation to purchase the old mill beside the church parking lot. In January of 1991 the mill was purchased. Within a few short months and with many, many long hours of work by the church family, an apartment was finished in the 2nd and 3rd floors.

The main floor would an activity center. A lounge area would include a snack bar. The basement would become a weight room. The long term goal as of this writing is to add on a Christian Book Store/Library to serve the community.

What makes Burnips Wesleyan so special? The people know how to pray! The Lord has really blessed the church family.

Here are just a few of the many ways God works in the lives of those who serve him.


FRIEDA CONNER
Early in the 1940's, during the oil boom, the Conner family became a part of the Burnips Wesleyan Church. Mrs. Frieda Conner was 33 with 5 children from 18 months to 14 years old when her husband died of a brain tumor at 42.

Frieda and her husband knew about one year before, that he was dying. The people of the church were so good to Frieda and her family. For 5 t0 6 months before he died, the ladies of the church brought in meals and helped with housework. A love offering was taken for them also.

After her husband died, the help didn't stop. People took her places (she couldn't drive at the time), brought her food and Mrs. Ethel Miller was her greatest help. Others helped with farm work and as companions to her children.

Rev. A.C. Doehring was the pastor at that time and he was her greated strength.

There were times of lonliness, fear and confusion. When her daughter, Marcia, was a teenager she came down with whooping cough.

Marcia asked her mother to pray for her because she thought she was going to die. Frieda prayed and the Lord healed.

Many years later, Frieda was in an automobile accident that nearly took her life.

While in the hospital her favorite song played in her head - "I'm So Glad I'm A Part Of The Family Of God." Knowing that there were many of her church family praying for her and offering help and support she was able to rest and heal.

Frieda knew that "the best people in the world" would see her through.

More than all the people and pastors, Frieda knew and still does, that her heavenly Father would never leave her nor forsake her. He has never, ever let her down or disappointed her. He has met all her needs - sometimes through other people.

The Lord has been a father to her children and a husband to her.

When asked if she was ever mad at God her reply as "No, not mad. I asked Why? Why did the Lord take my husband from my beautiful and loving family?" Someday, when I meet my heavenly Father, He will tell me why Then my brokeden heart will be mended and tears wiped away. Praise His Holy Name! I really am glad I'm a part of the family of God."


JOHN E. RYNBRANDT
John and Alma Rynbrandt lost their only daughter, Diane. John will never forget how he felt when he heard the news.

A couple from the church, Elmorse and Phyllis Hightower, practicaly moved in for three days. They answered phones, fixed meals and whatever else was needed.

John remembers many of the church family consoling him and sharing his grief. The one person that stands out in his memory concerning the receiving line at the funeral home is Orval Twining.

Many people had gone through and were so kind. Orval came through, held John's hands and said, "I love you." John said those words held such power for him.

John also felt that he'd never have made it through without the Lord. "I just don't know how people who don't know God manage. The Lord and His people are like a safe harbor, a resting place for hurting people."

John has a peace in his inner most being concerning Diane. Shortly after her death, while kneeling by the couch, the Lord spoke to him. He gave John the sweet, blessed assurance that can only come from God.


MITCHELL BERENS
Mitchell, the son of Ross and Lori Berens, ran out to play October 13, 1988. He was month short of being three years old. His sister Kristen and he went to help his dad and grandpa unload a wagon of pumpkins.

His dad had just warned him not to play by the tailgate of the wagon moments before the 90 pound, steel tailgate crashed down to the ground with Mitchell's head beneath.

Mitchell was rushed to Holland hospital by ambulance then flown to Butterworth by helicopter.

He had a skull-fracture, a blood clot and part of his skull was crushed. His brain was swelling dangerously and he went in for emergency surgery.

The pastor, youth pastor and his wife, along with family and several others from the church held vigil with Ross and Lori until 2:30 a.m. when the surgery ended. There were many prayers petitioned that night. The chain of prayer went throughout the church and community. It spread across the country. Prayers were said from Michigan to California. Like milkweek seed blown in the wind so were the prayers of people.

After the surgery the doctors weren't very optimistic. They warned that there could be brain damage, perhaps deafness, and other problems if Mitchell would even survive.

The next morning Mitchel woke up and spoke. He continued at an unbelievable rate. There were a couple of set backs, but Mitchell is healed. There is slight hearing loss in one ear.

One of Mitchell's doctors said, "We didn't epect him to live that night." The doctors agree that Mitchell was touched by the master healer.

VIRGINIA TWINNING
Virginia was the youngest in the youth group. In the fall of 1955 the group went for a hay ride.

Margery Virginia's mother, was involved with youth and she and her husband, Orval, followed behind. They bumped along after them in the old truck.

Earl Heasley was driving the tractor. Virginia was sitting by the tongue and he turned around and told her to move back so she wouldn't fall off.

While Margery was following she remembers passing Harold and Lillie Twining's home and the thought ou to her. They are home, if you need them.

As she approached Cleo and Eunice Loew's she noticed their car sitting there. Again, the thought came to her. There's a car, if you need it.

As soon as Earl turned back to look at the road he felt a bump bump.

Virginia's foot slipped and she fell under the wagon load of kids and was hit twice.

It just so happens this was directly in front of Cleo Loew's. Virginia was rushed to the hospital in Cleo's car.

Harold and Lillie were called to take over with the youth.

Virginia was unconscious and the doctors weren't very hopeful.

The youth group went back to Frieda Conner's. Rev. A.C. Doehring gathered them together and started praying.

Virginia woke up. She had some broken bones and internal injuries. The doctor thought she had problems with her kidneys and was planning on operating. Within a week, the problem was surprisingly healed.

When Margery compared times with Rev. Doehring, Virginia regained consciousness while they were praying.

Dpes God hear us? We think so. We know so.

These are but a few of the daily blessings bestowed upon this family of God.



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