Sterling, Kansas (Heartland of America)
Bruce and Lenore first met in the late 1950s while attending Sterling College, a Christ-centered, liberal arts college located in Sterling, Kansas. Although they came from quite different backgrounds (big city boy meets country girl), the couple soon fell in love and desired to serve God together.
BACKGROUND: Lenore was born into a close-knit, Christian family in the small farming community of Burdett, Kansas (population 412). Her family was united in prayer and church activities. Her father’s neatly painted barn was boldly lettered with the words “Put Christ First” across the front, which attested to their faith and witness in the community.
In contrast, Bruce came from the greater metropolitan area of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where his parents ran a small plastics manufacturing business. Although good, ethical people, his family did not think in terms of being “born again” or having a close relationship with God.
Bruce first encountered the Lord Jesus at age 17 and decided to surrender his life to God. A few months later, he sensed the Lord calling him to be a minister of the Gospel. Bruce had always considered himself to be Presbyterian because it was his family’s religious heritage, so he decided to attend a Presbyterian college — Sterling College in Kansas. It was there that he met Lenore.
Bruce and Lenore married in 1961, while Bruce was still a senior in college. They began their life adventure together in Alden Kansas.
More next blog.
