On March 4 at 10:20 a.m. the Lord took to himself one of His faithful servants after four days of suffering from typhoid fever and complications. With his wife he had spent forty years in missionary work in the Dominican Republic and in Mexico. Now he entered the joy of the Lord where all tears are wiped away and sighings are replaced by songs of everlasting praise.

J. Larry Roberts, son of John Meredith Roberts and Callie Nichols, was born on April 17, 1917, at Ashland, Mo. Here he grew up in a Christian family but without any conscious surrender to the Savior. At an early age he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During the last year a friend persuaded him to attend a service in a Serviceman’s Center in San Diego, Calif. Now the Lord laid His hand upon the young man’s life. And in gratitude for that great salvation he determined to enter missionary service.

He received the necessary education at BIOLA college and thereafter at the Baptist Theological Seminary, both in Los Angeles, California. Here he met Laureta Edna Haine of Ceres, California , who on April 17, 1943, became his devoted wife and coworker. Both had shortly before been introduced to the riches of the Reformed faith by the pastor of a small Presbyterian church. To them he opened the Scriptures to thrill and strengthen their hearts. Both had also committed their lives to missionary service, hoping to engage in pioneer evangelism in either Brazil or Peru. But upon their graduation these doors were closed because of World War II.

Now their eyes were turned to Mexico. A small house became available in Navajao, Sonora, when a Wycliffe translator had to leave because of ill health. A few Christian friends pledged to send support. Here they worked under trying conditions among the Mayo Indians. Soon they were reduced to less than the barest essentials for living. Often their friends seemed to have forgotten their needs. Mrs. Roberts contracted, also because of undernourishment, a severe case of amoebic dysentery which threatened her life. After a month in the U.S. she could return, and the couple moved to Hermosillo. In all these trials their faith was deepened as they experienced the gracious leading of their Lord.

When a second child was expected, they deemed it necessary to return to the United States. A new door was opened, when brother Roberts received the call fro m a small Bible church in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Here they spent two busy, happy and fruitful years. Always, however, they prayed that the Lord might again open a door to missionary work.

Searching for someone with training and experience, the West Indies Mission called them to the work in the Dominican Republic. Arriving there in the fall of 1948, they continued until forced to repatriate because of the violent revolution of 1965. In this beautiful island they found fields ripe for a rich harvest. Here in cities, villages and countryside they could preach and teach the Gospel where it had never been heard before. The impoverished people lived in the darkness of superstition and a formal Catholicism. Shortly after arriving on the field Larry was appointed superintendent of the work on that island as well as director of the small Bible school which had been begun earlier. Soon small groups of believers were gathered as emerging churches. And as a fruit of his searching of the Scriptures, our brother realized that one of the most pressing needs was that of systematic training of young converts for leadership. Thus, besides going out faithfully to new villages and towns, he with his wife labored to strengthen the Bible school. During his years there, no less than seventy-six evangelists, teachers and pastors were trained for service. Nearly all of these had first heard the Gospel from his lips. Six months every year they would be instructed; then to supply the needs of themselves and their families they would return for six months to their villages, eager to teach what they had learned. In this way a growing number of congregations sprang up, many of them self–supporting and self-propagating from the beginning.

How disappointed the Roberts were when the revolution of 1965 compelled their repatriation. But they had learned well how to wait upon the Lord. They experienced again that their disappointments were God’s appointments.

Not long before their return to the United States the Christian Reformed Church, through its mission board had, upon invitation of the Independent Presbyterian Church of Mexico, decided to cooperate with that body in evangelizing that spiritually needy country. Now the young couple, receiving an appointment from the board, found that what they had learned could be put into practice with even greater effectiveness and fruitfulness.

In the fall of 1965 Larry assisted brother Robert Ruis and family to settle in the work in Tijuana. The very next year he was appointed as one of the early professors of the “Seminario Juan Calvina” in Mexico City. Along with this he learned to know that church with its strong commitment to the Reformed faith.

A large but long–neglected field lay open to the Gospel among the Maya Indians in the Yucatan. Because of the coming of other teachers to the seminary, he volunteered to serve with his family there in 1967. Settling in Merida , the capital of that state, he and his wife continued their bringing of the Gospel, she working among the women. But again the need for training leaders weighed heavily on their hearts. They requested permission to open a Bible school. The mission board granted permission, on condition that the cost would not exceed what had been paid out in rent for them in Mexico City. Once again the Lord answered prayers. A large hacienda, with living quarters for the family , rooms for the students and classrooms, could be rented at a nominal cost. Members of the small Mayan congregations promised to supply food for the students. Soon this venture prospered under the hand of God. A large number of students enrolled, completed their course in time, with some of them eager to go on into seminary training. Always Larry stressed education, convinced that the best was none too good as preparation for serving the Lord’s churches. Also because of its value for strengthening and enlarging the local congregations, another Bible school was begun in Mexico City in addition to the seminary.

When the Rev. Roger Greenway left the Mexican field for advanced study, the Roberts were recalled to Mexico City, now to serve especially in the Bible school there. This they did with devotion from 1970 to 1975. Unexpectedly at that time, after only a few minutes of discussion, the Field Council decided, in the interests of hopefully saving costs, to close the Bible schools. A new pattern for training would be followed, that of “Theological Education by Extension” which could leave men while learning in their own villages. The Roberts were by no means opposed to this new pattern, but believed that, even with this, the Bible school filled a great need in preparing young men for seminary training.

Although disappointed by this decision, they now went to Campeche. Here he was to engage in pioneer evangelism throughout the five southeastern states of Mexico: Campeche, Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and eastern Chiapas. Much of this work was among Indian peoples, the Mayas, Tzoltils, Tzeltals and others who had never heard the good news of God. Here they lived and labored from 1975 to 1980.

Traveling far and wide this pioneer missionary soon found himself again a church planter. Often isolated villages and hamlets in the savanna, jungle and hill country could only be reached by mule or on foot. Nearly all the people, except those near the cities, were without formal education. Yet the goal of establishing congregations which would be self-governing, self-supporting and self-propagating inspired him. Soon he also began again with leadership training, so that the young churches might be supplied with knowledgeable elders, deacons and pastors. This required, too, training the people in Christian stewardship and tithing so that their pastors might be adequately supported. Living by hand-outs from a foreign board. he persuaded them, was neither in harmony with Scripture nor conducive to their self-respect. And when the first congregation, in Campeche, adopted the pattern of budgeting and tithing it could within six months triple the salary for the pastor and his family. Soon the churches grew not only in numbers but also spiritual vigor. Now two new presbyteries could be officially constituted in that area.

What joy it was for brother Roberts when in 1979, because of the increased number of presbyteries (classes), the Independent Presbyterian Church could officially constitute itself a synod in control of its own ecclesiastical affairs. Under the new arrangement the seminary and book stores came under its supervision. And one of the decisions of this first synod was the appointment of Roberts’ son, John Paul, as a professor at the seminary; the first to be directly appointed by the churches themselves.

On March 4 at 10:20 a.m. the Lord took to himself one of His faithful servants after four days of suffering from typhoid fever and complications. With his wife he had spent forty years in missionary work in the Dominican Republic and in Mexico. Now he entered the joy of the Lord where all tears are wiped away and sighings are replaced by songs of everlasting praise.

J. Larry Roberts, son of John Meredith Roberts and Callie Nichols, was born on April 17, 1917, at Ashland, Mo. Here he grew up in a Christian family but without any conscious surrender to the Savior. At an early age he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During the last year a friend persuaded him to attend a service in a Serviceman’s Center in San Diego, Calif. Now the Lord laid His hand upon the young man’s life. And in gratitude for that great salvation he determined to enter missionary service.

He received the necessary education at BIOLA college and thereafter at the Baptist Theological Seminary, both in Los Angeles, California. Here he met Laureta Edna Haine of Ceres, California , who on April 17, 1943, became his devoted wife and coworker. Both had shortly before been introduced to the riches of the Reformed faith by the pastor of a small Presbyterian church. To them he opened the Scriptures to thrill and strengthen their hearts. Both had also committed their lives to missionary service, hoping to engage in pioneer evangelism in either Brazil or Peru. But upon their graduation these doors were closed because of World War II.

Now their eyes were turned to Mexico. A small house became available in Navajao, Sonora, when a Wycliffe translator had to leave because of ill health. A few Christian friends pledged to send support. Here they worked under trying conditions among the Mayo Indians. Soon they were reduced to less than the barest essentials for living. Often their friends seemed to have forgotten their needs. Mrs. Roberts contracted, also because of undernourishment, a severe case of amoebic dysentery which threatened her life. After a month in the U.S. she could return, and the couple moved to Hermosillo. In all these trials their faith was deepened as they experienced the gracious leading of their Lord.

When a second child was expected, they deemed it necessary to return to the United States. A new door was opened, when brother Roberts received the call fro m a small Bible church in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Here they spent two busy, happy and fruitful years. Always, however, they prayed that the Lord might again open a door to missionary work.

Searching for someone with training and experience, the West Indies Mission called them to the work in the Dominican Republic. Arriving there in the fall of 1948, they continued until forced to repatriate because of the violent revolution of 1965. In this beautiful island they found fields ripe for a rich harvest. Here in cities, villages and countryside they could preach and teach the Gospel where it had never been heard before. The impoverished people lived in the darkness of superstition and a formal Catholicism. Shortly after arriving on the field Larry was appointed superintendent of the work on that island as well as director of the small Bible school which had been begun earlier. Soon small groups of believers were gathered as emerging churches. And as a fruit of his searching of the Scriptures, our brother realized that one of the most pressing needs was that of systematic training of young converts for leadership. Thus, besides going out faithfully to new villages and towns, he with his wife labored to strengthen the Bible school. During his years there, no less than seventy-six evangelists, teachers and pastors were trained for service. Nearly all of these had first heard the Gospel from his lips. Six months every year they would be instructed; then to supply the needs of themselves and their families they would return for six months to their villages, eager to teach what they had learned. In this way a growing number of congregations sprang up, many of them self–supporting and self-propagating from the beginning.

How disappointed the Roberts were when the revolution of 1965 compelled their repatriation. But they had learned well how to wait upon the Lord. They experienced again that their disappointments were God’s appointments.

Not long before their return to the United States the Christian Reformed Church, through its mission board had, upon invitation of the Independent Presbyterian Church of Mexico, decided to cooperate with that body in evangelizing that spiritually needy country. Now the young couple, receiving an appointment from the board, found that what they had learned could be put into practice with even greater effectiveness and fruitfulness.

In the fall of 1965 Larry assisted brother Robert Ruis and family to settle in the work in Tijuana. The very next year he was appointed as one of the early professors of the “Seminario Juan Calvina” in Mexico City. Along with this he learned to know that church with its strong commitment to the Reformed faith.

A large but long–neglected field lay open to the Gospel among the Maya Indians in the Yucatan. Because of the coming of other teachers to the seminary, he volunteered to serve with his family there in 1967. Settling in Merida , the capital of that state, he and his wife continued their bringing of the Gospel, she working among the women. But again the need for training leaders weighed heavily on their hearts. They requested permission to open a Bible school. The mission board granted permission, on condition that the cost would not exceed what had been paid out in rent for them in Mexico City. Once again the Lord answered prayers. A large hacienda, with living quarters for the family , rooms for the students and classrooms, could be rented at a nominal cost. Members of the small Mayan congregations promised to supply food for the students. Soon this venture prospered under the hand of God. A large number of students enrolled, completed their course in time, with some of them eager to go on into seminary training. Always Larry stressed education, convinced that the best was none too good as preparation for serving the Lord’s churches. Also because of its value for strengthening and enlarging the local congregations, another Bible school was begun in Mexico City in addition to the seminary.

When the Rev. Roger Greenway left the Mexican field for advanced study, the Roberts were recalled to Mexico City, now to serve especially in the Bible school there. This they did with devotion from 1970 to 1975. Unexpectedly at that time, after only a few minutes of discussion, the Field Council decided, in the interests of hopefully saving costs, to close the Bible schools. A new pattern for training would be followed, that of “Theological Education by Extension” which could leave men while learning in their own villages. The Roberts were by no means opposed to this new pattern, but believed that, even with this, the Bible school filled a great need in preparing young men for seminary training.

Although disappointed by this decision, they now went to Campeche. Here he was to engage in pioneer evangelism throughout the five southeastern states of Mexico: Campeche, Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and eastern Chiapas. Much of this work was among Indian peoples, the Mayas, Tzoltils, Tzeltals and others who had never heard the good news of God. Here they lived and labored from 1975 to 1980.

Traveling far and wide this pioneer missionary soon found himself again a church planter. Often isolated villages and hamlets in the savanna, jungle and hill country could only be reached by mule or on foot. Nearly all the people, except those near the cities, were without formal education. Yet the goal of establishing congregations which would be self-governing, self-supporting and self-propagating inspired him. Soon he also began again with leadership training, so that the young churches might be supplied with knowledgeable elders, deacons and pastors. This required, too, training the people in Christian stewardship and tithing so that their pastors might be adequately supported. Living by hand-outs from a foreign board. he persuaded them, was neither in harmony with Scripture nor conducive to their self-respect. And when the first congregation, in Campeche, adopted the pattern of budgeting and tithing it could within six months triple the salary for the pastor and his family. Soon the churches grew not only in numbers but also spiritual vigor. Now two new presbyteries could be officially constituted in that area.

What joy it was for brother Roberts when in 1979, because of the increased number of presbyteries (classes), the Independent Presbyterian Church could officially constitute itself a synod in control of its own ecclesiastical affairs. Under the new arrangement the seminary and book stores came under its supervision. And one of the decisions of this first synod was the appointment of Roberts’ son, John Paul, as a professor at the seminary; the first to be directly appointed by the churches themselves.

By this time, however, dark clouds were lowering over the Mexican mission enterprise. Strained relationships between the CRC missionaries and the Independent Presbyterian Church increased in intensity. Not all the missionaries appreciated the goal of a fully self-governing church. By 1981 an official Act of Agreement, spelling out the relationships between church and mission, was adopted by both the Independent Presbyterian Church and the CR Board of World Missions. Hopefully this would relieve the tensions, so that the work could go on. But soon it became apparent that this did not satisfy several of the missionaries who had been working quite independently of church supervision. Almost from the beginning, aspects of the official agreement were ignored or violated. Out of this sprang the schism which rent the national churches. Some day this story needs to be told in its details. Nothing grieved the Roberts more than these events, at times seemingly taken too lightly by many in the denomination which he had come to love dearly and for which he had labored so long and faithfully.

Reaching retirement age, he and his wife removed to Ripon, California, where the First Church had called and supported him as one of its missionaries.

His heart, however, longed to see again the fields in which he had spent so many years. In October, 1985 they were able to leave home for an extended visit to both the Dominican Republic (from which he and she had been absent since 1965) and Mexico. After visiting relatives and friends in southern California, Arizona, Kansas, Michigan and Florida, they went by air to the Dominican Republic for two months. Here the warmest welcome, together with a busy schedule of preaching, teaching and holding conferences awaited them. With tears of joy, those whom he had first led to the Lord received him with their children and grandchildren. One conference with young people was attended by no less than 200. All remembered him and her as missionaries who loved and identified themselves with the people. One touching incident deserves mention. An older man, now a pastor of a church, asked brother Roberts: “Don’t you remember me? I used to shine your shoes. Each time you gave me 25 cents instead of the usual 5 cents. And when I told you 25 cents was too much, you said, [‘]But my shoes you will remember were big, much bigger than others.’” Here at Christmas time they were joined by their daughter, Rebecca, who had been born on the island.

Shortly after New Year they returned to Florida. Now they were joined by Harold and Justine Ten Brink (from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Lake Worth) who for ten years had gone as volunteers for two or three months each winter to assist the Roberts. They knew their work at first hand as no others.

Traveling together they stopped in Texas to visit John Paul’s family and friends; then on to Mexico City to renew acquaintance with the seminary and the congregations. Here they were joined by two pastors of the Free Reformed Church, interested in work in Mexico.

Four weeks and more were spent in the Campeche area. Again the schedule was busy but filled with happy experiences. Every evening here and in Merida and surrounding congregations, large groups met for worship and instruction in the faith. In all this they were ably assisted by the Ten Brinks.

One of brother Roberts’ great desires was to make contact with what was being done to bring the Gospel to the Totonac Indians living in the coffee–planation country of Puebla state. Here the two couples spent their last days together. Then, already feeling ill, he with Mrs. Roberts left for Mexico City. Arriving in distress and pain, he was hospitalized at the urging of the physician. Within four days he was released by the Lord from the joys and sorrows of this life to the glory of his Lord and Savior.

His body was brought back to the seminary where he had taught. Crowds of mourners necessitated the holding of not less than four memorial services with several pastors and professors officiating, including the rector, the Rev. Jose Miguel Velazquez. This was not only a time of sorrow for the passing of one whom they deeply loved and leaned on for counsel; it was also a season of praise to the sovereign God who had so richly blessed forty years of missionary service.

On Friday morning, March 7, his body was laid to rest with appropriate services conducted by the Revs. Manuel Martin and Samuel Espinoza. These remains await the day of resurrection in the hillside cemetery which overlooks the vast metropolis of Mexico City with its 18,000,000 people. While this servant has been taken away, the Lord is even now raising up others trained by him to bring that same Gospel to a needy land. On the gravestone are inscribed the words of Rev. 14:13 and 14, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord . . . they rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

Brother Roberts is survived by his widow, one son, two daughters, five grandsons, one brother and two sisters. May the God of all comfort sustain them with that peace which passes all understanding.

Peter Y. De Jong is a retired C. R. pastor and seminary professor living at Orange City, Iowa.