Remembering our history

Lines for Strong Living

For 20 years, this pastor delighted free churches with his short, pithy sayings.

From 1924 to 1946, Rev. Fred Beck was the beloved pastor of free churches in Nebraska, Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He also played a major role in the early years of the Evangelical Mountain Mission in the hills of Kentucky, a work which evolved into what is now a part of the EFCA Southeast District. 

"The wise men of Jesus' day presented frankincense. The worldly wise of our day present rank nonsense."

—Fred Beck

But he was most well-known for his pithy sayings and his ability to make a play on words teach a truth about the Christian life. For at least twenty years he had a short column in the Evangelical Beacon known as “Arrow-heads.” His epigrams were widely used in church bulletins, on church signs and in sermon illustrations throughout the EFCA. Later, in 1943, they were collected and published under the title “Arrow-heads: Some Straight Lines for Strong Living.” 

This Christmas season, here are a couple pages from his book on Christmas topics worthy of reflection.  

Tom Cairns

Tom Cairns is the archivist for the EFCA. A physician who worked for 19 years in Congo, Tom later served as director of international ministries for the EFCA mission, now known as ReachGlobal. Since retirement, Tom enjoys sharing stories about the history of the EFCA, answering questions from our churches and helping the churches with their own stories. He also uploads our historical books, photos and documents to our archive website. Tom’s great desire is to bring glory to God as we celebrate the history we have in the EFCA.

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