Cornerstone University - KUMI ORI Yearbook (Grand Rapids, MI)

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DAVID OTIS FULLER, D.D. Four

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Th ree

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DEDICATION DAVID OTIS FULLER In Bunyan’s immortalized “Pilgrim’s Progress Valiant-for-truth remarks, when reminded of the odds against him in the conflict: “It is true; but little or more are nothing to him that has the trnth on his side. ‘Though an host should encamp against me, in this will I be confident.” As then, so now there are men in the Church who might well be called “Valiant-for-truth”. One of them is the subject of this dedication. Born in Brooklyn, New York, November 20, 1903, David Otis Fuller, after completing high school entered Wheaton College and graduated with the A. B. degree. His theological education was received at Princeton Seminary. Here he was given the Th. B- degree. Later, the Dallas Theological Seminary honored him with the Doctor of Divinity degree. While at Princeton, he sat. under the teaching ministry of such scholars and defenders of the faith as John Gresham Machen and Robert Dick Wilson. These men, as well as Spurgeon and the Puritan divines, through their writings, greatly influenced his life and ministry. Alter his ordination in the First Baptist Church of New York City, David Otis Fuller accepted the pastorate of the Chelsea Baptist Church, Atlantic City, New Jersey. From Atlantic City he came to the Wealthy Street Baptist Temple of Grand Rapids in November 1934. Dr. Fuller is described by a friend as “aggressive, outspoken, active.” He is this and more. He is humble, earnest, sincere, devoted to his Lord and a man of deep convictions. He is consumed with the realization that he has “Only one life, ’twill soon be past; Ordv what’s done for Christ will last.” Therefore, all of his ministry is to the end that Christ, might be magnified and the lost brought to the Savior. This modern “Valiant-for-truth” is a many-sided man — preacher, soul- winner. apologist, executive and editor. In each of these fields he excels. He is a prodigious worker. In addition to bis many pastoral responsibilities, he is president of the Michigan American Council of Christian Churches, chair- man of the Board of the Children’s Bible Hour and of the Stoney Lake Baptist Children’s Camp, vice-chairman of the Executive Council of the Baptist Bible Institute and School of Theology, trustee of Wheaton College, etc. In the literary field Dr. Fuller has become well known through his con- densing and editing a dozen or more works of Spurgeon, Augustine and Calvin. Thus far nine of these works have been published by two leading religious publishers of America. While listening to a stirring plea of a Marine chaplain, Dr. Fuller felt called of God to enter the service of his country as a chaplain in World War 11. Immediately application was made and in due course ol time he was accepted as a Naval chaplain. The Wealthy Street Baptist Temple voted their pastor a leave of absence for the duration and for a year he bore a faithful testimony to thou- sands of our boys in the armed sevices. The blessing of God rests upon this humble and conscientious servant of Jesus Christ. In the fourteen years of his present pastorate, the church member- ship has increased to ]700, with an annual budget of $91,000. About $55,000 is given' to the twenty missionaries of the church and to various fundamental mission and benevolent projects. Of the fifty young people attending school, the majority are looking forward to definite Christian service. . The Baptist Bible Institute and School of Theology is greatly indebted to both Dr. David Gtis Fuller and the Wealthy Street Baptist Temple for their interest and support of the school in so many practical ways. Therefore, to them we gratefully dedicate the 1948 issue of Kami Ori. Five