A Short History of the Mission
Over 100 years ago, two bold people from the Netherlands (via
Grand Rapids, Michigan) ventured into the primitive Indian village of
Zuni. Burning within them was an intense desire to proclaim the Gospel
of Jesus Christ, not from the safety and comfort of a distant location,
but from a home and mission within Zuni Pueblo itself.
In
1897, Andrew and Effa Vander Wagen established a permanent mission in
Zuni on behalf of the Christian Reformed Church. Their passion and love
for their Indian brothers and sisters made a lasting impression on all
they touched. They became fluent in the Zuni language and persevered in
spite of physical threats to their lives.
The breakthrough for the fledgling Mission came when the Vander
Wagens (with their infant children) refused to leave Zuni during a
serious smallpox epidemic. Instead of fleeing as did the officials at
Bureau of Indian Affairs who were responsible for medical care in Zuni,
the young couple went door to door caring for and administering medicine
to their Zuni neighbors. In that and later acts of mercy, the Vander
Wagens pioneered the then-revolutionary mission concept that in order to
minister to people's spiritual needs one must also be willing to
demonstrate Christ's compassion and care for their physical needs.
With that groundwork laid, the first ordained missionaries were
assigned to the Zuni Christian Reformed Mission in 1906. Rev. Herman
and Jennie Fryling served "quietly and carefully thru teaching and
preaching thus laying a solid foundation to build upon." (Rev. J.
Dolfin.)
In 1908, so that the Fryling children (Sophia and John) might have
Christian schooling, Miss Nellie DeJong came to Zuni as their teacher.
Along with the Fryling children, four Zuni children were also enrolled.
From that humble beginning, the school expanded rapidly and soon
claimed an important role in building relationships in the community, in
educating the children and in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with
the children and their families.
Throughout the years, mission staff and joined in time by Zuni
Christians, continued the rich tradition of proclaiming the same message
of love and salvation through Jesus Christ. Supported by the prayers
and financial resources of God's people across North America, faithful
servants of God have served generations of Zuni people.
Although
the church and school have been housed in the same location within the
Pueblo since its inception, there have been many changes in the
facilities. A major setback occurred in 1971 when a devastating fire
raged through the Mission, completely destroying the church and school.
Portable classrooms were brought in and "temporary" facilities were
constructed; however, they remain in use today. In 1998, several
generous gifts provided for the addition of the Ministry Center, meeting
rooms and offices to support various church and school activities. We
are now engaged in an amazing venture to rebuild the entire mission
campus. Please see the "Foundations of Faith - Faces of Promises" for more details about our capital and building program.
Today, Zuni Christian Reformed Church (ZCRC) and Zuni Christian
Mission School (ZCMS) continue the legacy of those who have served
before. Our mission forebears looked forward to the time when Zuni
Christians would provide leadership to the mission and would themselves
give witness to the Gospel within the Zuni community. This has come to
pass. For this, we give thanks to God.
And so the work continues.