Mission History
Over 100 years ago, two bold people from the Netherlands (via Grand Rapids, Michigan) ventured into the village of Zuni. Burning within them was an intense desire to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not from the safety and comfort of a distant location, but from within Zuni Pueblo itself.
1897
In 1897, Andrew and Effa Vander Wagen established a permanent mission in Zuni on behalf of the Christian Reformed Church. Their passion and love for their Zuni brothers and sisters made a lasting impression on all they touched. They became fluent in the Zuni language and persevered in spite of physical threats to their lives.
The breakthrough for the fledgling Mission came when the Vander Wagens (with their infant children) refused to leave Zuni during a serious smallpox epidemic. Instead of fleeing – as did the officials at the Bureau of Indian Affairs who were responsible for medical care in Zuni – the young couple went door to door caring for and administering medicine to their Zuni neighbors. In that and later acts of mercy, the Vander Wagens followed Christ’s own example that in order to minister to people's spiritual needs one must also be willing to demonstrate compassion and care for their physical needs.
1906
1982
1908
1927
With that groundwork laid, the first ordained missionaries were assigned to the Zuni Christian Reformed Mission in 1906. Rev. Herman and Jennie Fryling served "quietly and carefully thru teaching and preaching thus laying a solid foundation to build upon." (Rev. J. Dolfin.)
“Fryling felt more and more convinced that the younger generation must be won for Christ, and therefore emphasized Bible classes, not only at the Mission, but also at the Zuni and Blackrock government schools.
As he faithfully sowed the seed in these young hearts, he left the harvest to Him whose Word never returns void, praying that His Holy Spirit might bless this humbles ministry.” (C. Kuipers)
In 1925, when the local Catholic school had built a new enlarged building, pleas were made for the Christian Reformed people to do the same. Those pleas and prayers were soon answered, and at the time of the 30 year commemorative events in 1927 the school and the entire church/teacherage complex was finished at a cost of $28,000. These buildings served well for many years.
1935
In 1908, first Teacher Miss Nellie DeJong came to Zuni. Along with the Fryling children, four Zuni children were also enrolled in the small “school” which had begun in the rear room of the chapel. From that humble beginning, the school expanded rapidly and soon claimed an important role in building relationships in the community, in educating the children and in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the children and their families.
Throughout the years, mission staff, joined in time by Zuni Christians, continued the rich tradition of proclaiming the same message of love and salvation through Jesus Christ. Supported by the prayers and financial resources of God's people across North America, faithful servants of God have served generations of Zuni people.
1971
Although the church and school have been housed in the same location within the Pueblo since its inception, there have been many changes in the facilities. A major setback occurred in 1971 when a devastating fire raged through the Mission, completely destroying the church and school. Portable classrooms were brought in and "temporary" facilities were constructed. Modular classrooms and homes remained in use until the fall of 2012. The gym provided a home for the church and an activity center for the mission.
2018-Present
Today, Zuni Christian Reformed Church (ZCRC) and Zuni Christian Mission School (ZCMS) continue the legacy of those who have served before. Our mission forebears looked forward to the time when Zuni Christians would provide leadership to the mission and would themselves give witness to the Gospel within the Zuni community. This has come to pass. For this, we give thanks to God.
1935 marked the first 8th grade graduating class consisting of four students. Joe Leekity, Eleanor Wallace, Ada Zuni, and Curtis Peynitsa worked Saturdays and after school to earn their new clothes for graduation. As their class motto, they chose the national motto, “In God We Trust”.
2010
In 2010, we began an amazing venture to rebuild the entire campus. Our beautiful new school was completed for the 2012-2013 school year. Two duplexes for staff were built over the next two years. Site preparation for the final building phase was completed in 2014-2015. The playground was completed in the summer of 2015. The gym/ministry center was dedicated in 2017, followed by four residential units to complete the campus. We praise God for His faithfulness in sustaining our ministry over so many years, and for the countless friends - near and far - who have walked alongside us!
On August 12, 1982, a week before the school year was scheduled to begin, the worst flash flood in memory ripped through the pueblo. The surge overflowed the dry Zuni riverbed, tore out a bridge, drowned two Zuni boys and poured water into scores of homes – including the houses, mobile classrooms and church buildings of the Mission. Within minutes of the disaster, people from the community came to offer help evacuating staff, and organized efforts to place sandbags along the banks to drive back the floodwaters. Time and time again, despite contrasting beliefs, the Zuni community has shown that the Mission is apart of this place and fought to protect it.