On September 26, 2010, our church had a commissioning service for Kelvin Krueger, missionary appointee under the auspices of Baptist World Mission in Decatur, Alabama. Read Kelvin’s testimony in the following paragraphs to appreciate what an incredible feat God allowed this special servant of His to accomplish in serving as a missionary for six years in Johannesburg, South Africa:
“Good evening, my name is Kelvin Krueger. I was born into a Christian home where my parents loved the Lord. When I was young, I was interested in being a cowboy. At the age of four, I received Christ as my Lord and Savior. As soon as I received Christ, He gave me a burden in my heart for the mission field, so I changed my direction from being a cowboy to being a cowboy missionary. At the age of six, I was diagnosed with brain cancer. I was operated on, and the doctors had to take out a good portion of my learning cells. After my surgery I was flown to Boston, where a team of doctors were going to perform radiation therapy. My parents had to sign a release form saying that if I came through the therapy, which was doubtful, I would have the mental capacity of a six-year-old. The release was signed, but fervent prayer made the difference. The Lord brought me through the surgery. The doctors said there were going to be some side effects of the radiation therapy which included: puberty at an early age (as you can see, I am shorter than my dad, but at least I am taller than my mom); scoliosis (it is hard to walk straight); and memory loss (where am I)?
It has been a long road to where I am today, but I thank the Lord for the paths He has led me by. I graduated from Marquette Manor Baptist Academy and went to Bob Jones University for part of my schooling. I received a Certificate of Children’s Ministry from Northland Baptist Bible College. At graduation, Dr. Les Ollila presented me with the JOB award for accomplishments regardless of difficulty. I have been on mission trips to Mexico, Australia, and Saint Kitts.
The Lord then gave me opportunity to go to New Zealand for a few months. When I returned home, I worked under the maintenance director, who was also the children’s pastor at Marquette Manor Baptist Church. Through him, I got involved with ventriloquism and gospel magic. Also, in my duration there, I was able to lead ten first graders to the Lord. Through the Lord, I will be all He wants me to be. Isaiah 6:8 says: “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send and who will go for us? Then said I, here am I; send me.” I believe the Lord has called me in the service of children’s ministry in South Africa. Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.”
I was at Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, Wisconsin, for the Baptist World Mission annual conference meeting from October 22 through 25 of 2007. While at the conference, I was interviewed two times about where I stood doctrinally, and I was questioned on key issues. I went into the interviews knowing the Lord was on my side. The last interview was in a room where all the board members were sitting down. I was asked to sit in a chair and give my testimony. I was asked why I felt called to the mission field, and why I wanted to join Baptist World Mission. I thank the Lord for His help and His guidance in leading me to Baptist World Mission and allowing me to join. I know that if we reach children with the gospel, that will give us an open door into the homes, and that will give us an opportunity to tell the parents the good news of the gospel.
There was a very brilliant Bible teacher, Robert Dick Wilson, born in 1856 and died in 1930. By the time he was 25 years old he could read the New Testament in nine languages. (I have trouble reading it in English) He could repeat from memory a Hebrew translation of the entire New Testament, as well as a large portion of the Old Testament. One day, while teaching his students, he said: “Young men, there are many mysteries in this life I do not pretend to understand, many things hard to explain. But I can tell you this morning with the fullest assurance that Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
Editor’s note: Kelvin served faithfully through a local church in Johannesburg until he suffered a disabling stroke in 2015. He was graduated to glory four years ago, Feb. 2, 2021. David Livingstone, denied the opportunity of going to China, chose South Africa. When warned by a friend about dangers of serving there, the great missionary replied, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. That, my friend, is the word of a gentleman, so let’s be going.” Kelvin had that kind of a spirit for the Lord and His work.
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty…that no flesh should glory in His presence.” (I Cor. 1:26-29)
YOU and GOD 