The Early Days—1966 to 1985

The Early Days—1966 to 1985
20080107

Here is a continuation of the letter written by my cousin, Lucinda Rogers Meyers. Keep in mind that she has written in the first person representing Arlene and occasionally lapses into the third person.

Roy accepted the challenge of an infant congregation in Minerva, Ohio. Having added two more girls to the family [Lori in 1959 and Lisa in 1962], the family of eight moved westward, not by covered wagon, but in Arlene’s brother-in-law’s [Jerry Stevens] flatbed trailer! We found a home near St. Paris, Ohio. It was a struggle since we had no salary as such. Fifty of our friends had agreed to send us $1.00 a month for a year—which partially helped to support us. The church and District Missions also helped some. In November of 1966, Jonathan Merril joined the family. Rick graduated from high school in June of 1967 and was ready for college. Although Arlene had preparation for teaching along with her degree in Bible, she had been too busy raising a family to pursue a teaching career. She had worked at a radio station in Altoona [WFBG] for a period of 5 years—with time off for babies! So she decided to see if teaching was still possible for her. To her amazement, she was offered something for which she felt totally inadequate, but with the Lord’s help, she began to teach Educable Mentally Retarded children and has continued to do so until the present time. Rick was able to begin his first year at Grace College.

Roy had been working at a Christian radio station [WTOF] in Canton, Ohio, to help support the family. The Minerva church wanted to go under Home Missions, and found out that Roy’s job in radio did not meet with their qualifications for Home Mission pastors! Most Home Mission pastors in those days had to have additional jobs to supplement their income. So Roy resigned.

A split had occurred in the Juniata church and at the urging of some of the people back “home,’ Roy went back and endeavored to pull together his scattered former congregation. A Bible class was formed and later the Community Bible Church was organized. This too was a heartache because most of our kinfolks were still in the church. But compassion prevailed and Roy did what he felt he had to do. He went back to Juniata each week end until they were organized enough to call a pastor. Needless to say, our family life suffered during that period. The rest of the family were attending the Middlebranch GBC—22 miles from their home in St. Paris. Ardith was singing with a group of teenagers called, “Teens for Christ.” Helping to haul their equipment and listening to their beautiful music brought a lot of enjoyment to the family. [The family picture in the front of the Juniata church in 1962. Notice Jon is not yet in the picture].

Grandma Susie was living alone in Juniata [Dick had died in 1960] and our concern for her led to her selling her home and joining the family in Ohio. Arlene changed schools and we bought our first home on Mt. Pleasant Road in North Canton. Roy had secured employment at a television station—Channel 17—and later began a training program to become General Manager [2]. Ardith graduated from high school and went off to Grace College.

Then in October of 1969 came a call for Roy to candidate at a church in Radford, VA. We had never given up hope that someday the Lord would have a place for us to serve Him. Would this be it? The whole family went and after Roy preached, we retired to the basement while they voted on us. We wondered later what we would have done if they’d said “no.” Roy accepted the call and left for Radford in January. Arlene and Susie and the children stayed in Ohio to finish out the school year. It was hard selling the house and getting rid of more ‘things.’ The parsonage in Radford was small. [Our family taken in front of the small parsonage in Fairlawn, Radford, VA. As you can see, Jon has been around for awhile].

It would take a book to tell you about our life in Radford. The Lord blessed the work and it grew. Many came to know the Lord and land was purchased to build a new church. Arlene went back to college in earnest and received her Master’s degree in 1973. Roy III graduated from H.S. and went to Liberty Baptist College. Joy had spent one year at Grace and then married Lee. Ardie and Bruce were also married. Rick and Deb were married in 1974.

We were again able to purchase a home and how we loved it. So many, many good times were ours at 8 Lee Ave. But in 1979, the phone began to ring and calls were coming to us from Troy, Ohio. Roy had no intention of leaving Radford, but went up to see what the situation was. Since Ardith lived in the Dayton area, we had a place to stay.

Roy resigned in Radford and we came to Troy in August in 1979. The house we had purchased was not available until the last of September so we lived in a travel trailer behind the church. Grandma stayed with Ardi. Lisa and Jon enrolled in Dayton Christian Schools, Jon as a 7th grader and Lisa as a senior. [We left 8 Lee Ave in Fairlawn, Radford, VA and headed for our new church home in Troy, OH].

Our new home was in Tipp City. The church was in Troy. The children were going to school 19 miles south in Dayton, and Arlene was teaching at Miami East Junior High School 19 miles to the North.

Lori and Lisa have both married and have little ones and Jonathan will graduate from high school this year. We now have 16 grandchildren. Our church family is growing and the Lord has provided us with a new building. There is still so much to do.

What a wonderful work it has been with our blessed Savior.

Gpa G
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1. Mom and Dick bought a house at 715 Second St in Juniata. She was not living with us at this time.

2. Not so! I was hired on as a stage hand and eventually became production manager and then Program Director. The GM was a very unhappy man when I told him I would be pastoring a church in VA for much less money.