faith
A STORY FROM THE CAP ARCHIVES, 1977
A DRINK
of Water
By Christian Appalachian Project Founder Rev. Ralph Beiting
“I belong to the Catholic Church,” I said.
I
He said, “Now whoa, just back off there now. I don’t remember one day when we were out on Highway want to get involved with anybody that’s from that 421, about half a dozen miles out of Hyden, Catholic Church. I just reckon we better forget all Kentucky. There was a nice cluster of houses, so about this.” I decided to stop and do some preaching. The house that was most centrally located had a nice porch and a “Well, we just can’t forget all about it,” I replied. “It’s an shade tree in front, and just seemed the ideal place for important subject. God is worthwhile; no matter who a preaching stop. I knocked on the door and a little speaks a good word on His behalf, it’s worth hearing.” old man answered. He said, “Yea, but I don’t want to have anythin’ to do “I wonder if we might ask a favor of you,” I inquired. with Catholics.” “We need some electricity to run our amplifier.” “What are you up to?” he asked. I said, “We’re visiting here in the area, and I’d like to talk a little bit about Jesus. We’d like to sing some religious hymns and spend about a half hour or forty-five minutes with you all.” “Well, I’m a preacher myself,” he said, “so I reckon I couldn’t do anything but say yes to that.” So I gave a signal to the young men, and they began to bring up the extension cord while others started setting up the loudspeakers and amplifiers. The minister man looked at me and said, “By the way, what kind of religion are you?”
Rev. Beiting was well known for preaching throughout Appalachia. FALL / WINTER 2019 | christianapp.org/MtSpiritGive
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