CARL HASTY - UNLIKELY MISSIONARY TO THE AMISH

 

 "Unlikely".....that word has been on my mind a lot lately. How God chooses to use "unlikely" people, that may seem rough around the edges to a "seasoned" Christian, someone the "church folks" would never choose as a leader, someone they would not choose to be the bearer of truth, is a story that has repeated itself ever since the beginning of time. Carl Hasty was born on 1928, and having lost his father at age 8, was raised by a single mom, a devout Baptist.

Carl was an all American rugged man, cowboy and a hard worker. Though he trusted Jesus for his salvation at an early age, he was never the "saintly" type. He reminds me of the Apostle Peter. Though he was never given to drinking alcohol, he was a smoker, had a temper, occasionally using "rough" language when agitated, though nothing profane. He was not what we would consider the picture of one who God would use to be a missionary, yet Carl was quick to tell everybody of a somebody who could save anybody. When church people would refrain from speaking to those outside the fold, Carl refused to let his imperfections stop him from telling the truth, and it was this determination that led him to become the unofficial missionary to the Amish of Missouri.

In the early 1980's, Carl took a side job of driving the Amish to various places. Their religion allowed non Amish people to drive them, but they were not allowed to drive cars themselves. One day, Carl was called to take some Amish to settle an issue of payment with a milk plant. While there, he stayed in the car with a younger Amish man while the older men went inside. He asked the young man "Why are you Amish?" The man had no answer. Later that day, the Amish man called Carl and asked him to come to his home to answer some questions. Carl was told to drive to the back of the house so other Amish would not see him. The Amish man went and sat in Carl's car and Carl played a battery operated tape recorder of a sermon about salvation. The newly elected Amish bishop, who at 50 years old had never read the Bible for himself, took his position seriously and began to study the Scriptures. He found many things that went against his Amish upbringing. The bishop was the spiritual leader of the young Amish man that called Carl. Carl visited the Amish many times over the next few years. He would pretend to call and tell them he needed to buy some eggs. When he went to get the eggs, he would always witness to the Amish, and he always "forgot" to take the eggs with him, meaning he'd go back again and again. The seeds Carl planted would take root, and cause an earthquake in the Amish world. The Amish remembered Carl telling them that he did not subscribe to any denomination, but that the Baptists were the closest to following only what the Scriptures taught. This statement would later be the catalyst that would take many Amish to a Baptist church in search of the truth.

Fast forward a few years. The Philadelphia Baptist Church, voted in a new pastor, Tim Stowe, 28 years old, who was licensed but never ordained. After having been there three months, an ordination service was planned. Tim did not know the "protocols" of an ordination service, and didn't realize that it was usually a "closed" event. He had fliers printed up inviting the whole community to see him ordained. The fliers fell into the hands of some Amish who had been taught by Carl Hasty. They had never seen an ordination of anyone other than Amish, so they decided to go. Little did they know, all the questions they had would be answered in a single night, as Tim was asked 68 questions he had to answer about what the Bible taught before being ordained. The Amish later contacted Tim, and said "we have nothing that we disagree with that you said in the service, as we have been quietly searching the Bible. Our bishop has some knowledge, but other Amish bishops are watching him, because he asks too many questions. There are some things we need clarification on." So they invited Pastor Tim to come teach a bible study, after dark of course so the other Amish would not see.

Pastor Tim was able to show them from the Scriptures, that works cannot save them, and that they could know for certain whether or not they have a home in heaven. The Philadelphia Baptist Church doubled in size in less than 6 months, as about 10 Amish families left and joined the joined the Baptist church, each family being an average of 8 to 10 people! It was with tears that Pastor Tim began to baptize them, starting with their former bishop. 

Oh what joy must have rung out in heaven when the fruits of an unlikely, rough and rugged, cowboy came to fruition! What a soul winners crown Carl Hasty will receive, and how disappointed some "seasoned" Christians will be when their reward is not as great as his, all because he was willing to take a little tape recorder with gospel message in the middle of the night to someone who was thirsty. Just one example of a man, using "new innovations" and "unauthorized" means that the Amish reject. How on earth could God use a car, and electricity, and tape recorder to bring salvation? "Don't you know those things are of the devil?" the Amish would say. Ah yes those "devilish" things like cars, tape recorders, missionaries, music, sunday schools and BIBLE STUDY! Go figure!

To see the complete story told by the actual people, see here. It will bring tears to your eyes and is well worth the time!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXGLOD95Yus