Derstine, C. F. (1891-1967)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 21 Sep 1967 p. 6

Birth date: 1891

text of obituary:

Well-Known Speaker Dies

Pastor-Evangelist's Ministry Spanned Half a Century

BISHOP C. F. Derstine, well-known pastor, writer, evangelist and Bible conference speaker, died Aug. 31 at his home in Kitchener, Ontario. He had not been ill, and his unexpected death was caused by a stroke of paralysis. He was 76. Bishop Derstine served for 40 years as pastor of the First Mennonite Church in Kitchener, and in recent years had been pastor emeritus. The large church was filled to capacity for the funeral service Sunday afternoon, Sept. 3, conducted by J. B. Martin of Waterloo, A. J. Metzler of Scottdale, Pa., and R. N. Johnson, present pastor at Kitchener. Five area ministers and John Kehl, deacon of the congregation, were pallbearers. Bishop Derstine's first marriage was to Gertrude B. Haney. Following her death he was married in 1927 to Mary E. Kolb, who survives with two sons, five daughters, 10 grandchildren, and two brothers. The following account of Br. Derstine's life and ministry was read at his funeral. GOD HAD a work to be done in the Mennonite Church, and C. F. Derstine accepted the challenge. In 1964 he was presented with a bronze plaque, "In recognition of 50 years of dedicated service to the Mennonite Church of North America, as evangelist, teacher, writer, and lecturer." The occasion was the 40th anniversary of his assuming the pastorate of First Mennonite Church. He was born at Souderton, Pa. on Aug. 17, 1891. Two weeks after his conversion in October 1911 he began his Christian service by teaching a Sunday school class of 25 boys. In December of the same year he was baptized by Bishop Jonas Mininger in the Skippack Creek. He was in the first graduation class of Eastern Mennonite Academy, and was instrumental in starting young people's meetings in the Franconia Conference in 1912. "Who's Who Among the Mennonites" lists four other schools he attended, as well as his occupation as clerk and printer in his home town of Souderton and in Philadelphia. IN 1913 he moved to Altoona, Pa. where he accepted mission work. As a licensed minister, he became an associate of the late J. L. Stauffer. In 1914 he was ordained to the ministry by Bishops J. N. Durr and Abram Metzler. He became pastor in Eureka, Ill. in 1915, and remained there until 1924. During this pastorate he was ordained bishop in the Illinois Conference in 1921, and served as moderator of that conference. There too he promoted young people's meetings, and continued the evangelistic work which had already begun in Altoona. With his family he came to First Mennonite Church in December 1924 at a time of difficulty and crisis. Here he demonstrated spiritual intregrity and wisdom. He was pastor for 40 years, and bishop in the Ontario Conference since 1925. FOR 25 YEARS he was instructor in the Ontario Mennonite Bible School. He taught Gospels, Public Speaking, Missions, and Mennonite History. He taught Public Speaking at Waterloo College for one year. In 1951 Bob Jones University, Greenville S. C., conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. He was editor of the Christian Monitor for eight years, and continued as World News Editor for the same paper for the next 17 years. In 1925 he compiled "Sheet Music of Heaven," a book of 300 hymns and meditations. He also wrote 15 books and booklets. His writings bore testimony to effectiveness in maintaining the Biblical ideals of the Mennonite Church, besides helping his readers to a deepr spiritual life. In 1928 Bishop Derstine started the first community summer Bible school in Canada at the Kitchener Church. He was director except for two summers, until 1964. HE WAS ONE of six men who launched the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship in Canada, and assisted in drafting the present basis of faith. He was on the Council of Reference and the Board of Directors, as well as a frequent speaker in high schools, universities, and at a number of the conferences. He spoke at Youth for Christ Rallies, not only in Kitchener, and Brantford, but in numerous cities in the United States. Bishop Derstine helped to expand the ecumenical spirit through his community contacts with the ministerial of the city. He served in an executive capacity and co-operated fully. He was chairman of the board of the House of Friendship for 25 years, and in 1963 was presented with a bronze plaque and made honorary life chairman. BISHOP DERSTINE'S evangelistic and Bible conference work was international. His files contain more than 1,000 sermon outlines. His five record books covering his ministry record 618 revival series and 299 Bible conferences which took him in Canada, from Alberta to New Brunswick, and to 45 states of the U.S.A. He conducted 50 evangelistic series in his home church, and for 14 years held children's meetings before the Sunday evening sermon. He had the privilege of preaching to three generations. His own personal testimony was very brief. "I am a sinner saved by grace. Despite the tremendous energy consumed and the intense drain on the nervous system, I wouldn't want it changed. Under God, I would do it all over again".