Johannes Geerhardus (J. G.) Vos was without question one of the most influential men in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America in the 20th Century. In his role as chairman of Geneva College’s Bible department from 1954–1974, he trained an entire generation of men and women who would faithfully serve not only in our denomination, but also in evangelical and Reformed churches throughout our land. His quarterly journal, Blue Banner Faith and Life, was begun nearly a decade before his teaching at Geneva College and continued through 1974. This journal had a profound influence on pastors who did not have the opportunity to sit under his teaching at Geneva.

The impact of J. G. Vos on the North American church is undeniable. But only recently have I begun to understand the fruit of his labor in another vast part of God’s kingdom. In 1931, Rev. Vos joined a number of RPCNA missionaries in an East Asian country now officially closed to missionaries. In 1938, he was assigned to teach and serve as principal of a Bible institute there. His prize student was a younger man named Charles. Rev. Vos taught Charles a more accurate understanding of the great truths of Scripture, and they would soon become best friends—a friendship that would last throughout their lives.

Seismic global changes were on the horizon. Rev. Vos would return to America around 1940. A world war was at hand. Governments hostile to Christianity were exerting their influence. And the question before the church was how it might survive and maintain health in the face of these changes.

Another American missionary, Rev. Sam Boyle, had pursued his passion to serve overseas even at a time when the Foreign Mission Board did not believe that they had the funds to send him. He believed that he had at least a partial answer to this question. He knew, in the words of 2 Timothy 2:9, that the Word of God is not bound. And he also understood the power of the written word more generally.

In that light, he dreamed of starting what would become the Reformation Translation Fellowship (RTF). RTF would translate solid Reformed books into the language of those he served. If missionaries had to leave what would soon become a closed country, books could be left behind, or brought into the country later as opportunities presented themselves. The church there might be without the pastors who had brought to them the good news of Jesus, but they could still have access to solid teaching to inform them in matters of faith and life. They would not be cut off from the history and teaching of the Christian church if the right books could be translated and distributed.

Of course, the first thing needed for the tedious work of translation was a good translator. J. G. Vos had just the right man to recommend. His protégé, Charles, was already translating Lorraine Boettner’s The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination, with the author’s permission. Charles was the obvious man for translating other works as well, and Rev. Boyle—at great personal sacrifice—devoted himself to making this dream a reality.

Sam Boyle believed that the work of Bible translation was the right vision, but in his humility it is not likely that he grasped the full potential of this great work. He once described himself to Charles with the words of a Chinese idiom: “The head of a tiger, but the tail of a snake.” This idiom is meant to describe one with great ambition but small accomplishments. And although God says that He will share His glory with no man as He builds His church, yet He chose to use Rev. Vos, Rev. Boyle, and their young translator friend to accomplish more for the kingdom of God than any of them could have imagined.

As the years went by, Charles and his wife had 10 wonderful children. One son, Jonathan, after coming to saving faith as a young man through the influence of his parents and long-time missionary Rose Huston, developed his own ministry to his native land in his adult years. One aspect of that ministry was the broadcasting of educational religious programs. In the providence of God, one man who was fervently preparing for the priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church heard these broadcasts. Like John Calvin and Martin Luther before him, his soul was not at peace. As the would-be priest listened to the gospel message coming over the airwaves, the Spirit of God quickened his heart, and he was born again.

This man, known affectionately today as BJL, contacted Jonathan and asked him to bring him books. And guess what books Jonathan had available to bring to him? Indeed, he had the books that his father had translated! And they were great books. Thus began a revival of the Reformed faith in this closed country.

Traveling to and fro teaching the doctrines of grace and starting a seminary for more concentrated study of the Reformed faith, BJL became the theological mind setting the tone for a burgeoning Reformed Presbyterian Church. (Actually, in this country, there is no officially organized presbytery or synod yet. Instead, there is a loosely knit fellowship of churches now committed to the doctrines and practices of the RPCNA.)

In February of this year, Pastor Dave Reese and I had the privilege of visiting this country. I expected the trip to be life changing, but I could not have predicted the depth of fellowship and the exhilaration of being with like-minded, passionate believers in this distant land. As one committed to the doctrines and practice of the RPCNA, I was stunned to talk to pastors there who shepherd a cappella, psalm-singing Reformed Presbyterian churches whose numbers dwarf our own.

It is clear that the Lord has used the efforts of pastors Dave Long, Bill Roberts, John McFarland, Bruce Martin, Bruce Parnell, Katsunori Endo, Jonathan Watt, Dave Reese, and others to deepen the church’s commitment to the life and teachings of the historic church. One example of this is that there is now a psalter in print using the tunes of our red Book of Psalms for Singing. Imagine how powerful and poignant it is to join these brothers and sisters in Christ using another language in singing Psalm 2 (one of their favorites)!

One week Dave and I taught a course on what it means to be a constituted, confessional church. We basically went through the various documents in the Constitution of the RPCNA. Forty-eight registered students and two visitors were squeezed into a 22´ x 20´ room, with winter coats on, sitting on three-legged and four-legged stools. The class began at 6:30 a.m. and ended at 8:30 or 9 p.m. When I told the students that we would try to return if they wanted us to come back to help them organize into a presbytery with structure and approved documents, they broke into spontaneous applause.

In total, we met with six pastors of Reformed Presbyterian churches there, as well as elders and other workers. All are eager for help. As a starting point, the RPCNA’s East Asia Committee has authorized work to begin immediately on translating the RPCNA subordinate standards. Additionally, we are considering sending at least two of the committee this summer to aid in the process of organization.

We need to get the feedback of the RP Global Missions Board before proceeding. And we are eager for the wisdom of Synod. Questions abound, even if members of the committee do return to aid the church there. One huge potential question that could arise is this: Would it be better and safer to work immediately toward an indigenous church, or would Synod think a better option would be to make them a presbytery of the RPCNA for a decade or so before establishing an indigenous church?

The churches there are at a very strategic point in their development. Dave Reese and I believe that time is of the essence. There is an overwhelming need for pastors, but the churches there want legitimate ordinations done under the oversight of authorized church officers. In some cases, the sacraments are not being observed regularly because of the lack of pastors, and one ordained pastor is trying to oversee work going on in more than 100 meeting sites with over 20,000 members.

The churches are also eager for their pastors to get formal training, including training in the original Bible languages. In the long term, the hope is that much or all of that training can be done in their country. In the short term, there is a great need to get men to the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, if visas and financing can be secured.

Please pray for wisdom and protection for the church in East Asia, and for our response to their needs. We want to help them, not hinder them, in their development, and we need wisdom from above. “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Ps. 127:1).

Humanly speaking, this growing Reformed church in East Asia can trace its origin to the work and vision of Charles and his son Jonathan, Sam Boyle, and J. G. Vos. They planted; they and others watered; and the Lord has given a great harvest of souls. We do not exalt the men or the ministries in which they served. But I am thankful for the work and prayers of those who have gone before us, and especially for the work of the Reformation Translation Fellowship, even as I give honor and praise to the Lord of the Harvest, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Blessed be His name!

—Rev. Jerry O’Neill is president of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa.