Rev. John G. Kruis

Rev. John G. Kruis

Y2C

It was the fourth of April, 1923 that I came onto the world scene, the 11th of twelve children. I was born on a farm near Grand Rapids, Michigan. I lived in the greater Grand Rapids area, after moving off the farm in 1937. I was drafted into the U.S. Navy and entered the Great Lakes Naval Training Station on September 30, 1943. After Boot Camp at Great Lakes, I had a short leave and was sent to Pearl Harbor where I was assigned to the U.S.S. Nassau. I boarded the Nassau on the 23rd of December as she was anchored at Pearl Harbor. She had just returned from taking part in capturing the Gilbert Islands from the Japanese.

I was assigned to the V-l Division, pushing planes for take off and landing, and standing watch at times when we were not in flight operations. This involved seeing to it that the planes were well secured with lines, and the chalks were in place at the wheels, to prevent them from moving.

I had a tough experience on the 12 to 4 watch one night. We hit a terrific storm. Barlow and I could not make the rounds fast enough to feel the lines tight. A plane loaded, with 500 Ib. bombs, for take off in the morning (to bomb the Japanese on the Marshall Islands) broke loose, and struck the tail of the plane in front of it. The officer on deck immediately called for more men to help us. Barlow and I were investigated to determine whether or not we were doing our Job like we should. Were we ever scared for awhile! But happily, we were commended for our good work, instead of being found guilty of neglect of duty. In May of 1944 I became a Yeoman striker, and began to work in the Executive Officer's office under Commander Hawkins. In October, I became Yeoman 3C, and was assigned to be the Navigator's Yeoman (N Division). My primary duty was to type the ship's log each day, in addition to sending monthly and quarterly reports to various Naval offices. There's where I served until I was transferred off the Nassau on the 26th of September, 1945, which was, of course, soon after the end of the war with japan.

A fantastic experience in the Navigator's Office and one I shall never forget, nor will some of my shipmates is as follows. Gradually I developed a great longing to see others of the Nassau crew come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior, and the tremendous joy there is in serving the Lord. Since I was almost always alone in the office in the evenings, I invited some of our buddies to join me up there for Bible Study, one evening a week. Six or seven of the fellows accepted my invitation, some of whom were strangers to the Christian faith, but became interested in learning what I was all about. Very interesting to me was the fact that some had observed that I had a joyful countenance, and that I would not in any way participate in any immoral behavior. They wanted to know what made this guy tick.

Some of the initial group did not continue with the Bible study. However, others joined us, so that we had an average of about five guys together each time. We usually had a great time together. SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL HAPPENED ONE EVENING. Wilbur Zink arid Paul Oliver came to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. They dedicated themselves to Christian living and found a tremendous peace and joy in their hearts. That happened the evening of June 3, 1945.

AS PAUL HARVEY WOULD SAY: NOW HEAR THE REST OF THE STORY.... Thanks to Sam Moore, through his hundreds of hours of persistent efforts, the Nassau Association was formed and reunions have been held. Consequently, after 52 years, Wilbur Zink, Paul Oliver and I met again, at the reunion at Shaumberg, Illinois, near Chicago, in September of 1997. How this happened is a unique story, all by itself. I arrived at the hotel on Friday evening. On Saturday, I went down to the targe, crowded restaurant for breakfast. Within about five minutes, in came a man (along with his wife), who then sat at a table three feet from me. On his lapel was the name, WILBUR ZINK. As I introduced myself to him he shouted. Praise the Lord! Paul Oliver and I have been looking for you (at the reunions) for ten years...You turned my life around..." What an exciting breakfast time we did have as we chatted together. I learned that he has been a Christian minister, and Paul Oliver has been deeply involved in his local church and a witness for the Lord. After we completed our breakfast, we found Paul Oliver, with whom I also had a very joyful reunion. I could share with them that I too am privileged to be an ordained minister of the wonderful gospel of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

When I was transferred off the Nassau, we were at Pearl Harbor. I was sent back to the states and assigned to the separation center at the Naval Air Station near New Orleans, Louisiana, to help discharge the happy guys who were heading for home. With much pleasure, I served there, (got my Yeoman 2C rating), until I was eligible for discharge from the Navy. I was discharged at Great Lakes on May 5, 1946.

I took up life at my parent's home near Grand Rapids, again. Another great thing happened in my life. White on my 30-day rehabilitation leave from New Orleans, I had met a beautiful, nineteen year old girl, (Gene Keyzer), who was a shining example of what a Christian young lady ought to be. We dated several times, and I established a beach head with her. While I was a New Orleans, our relationship grew through letter writing. Back in civilian life, it soon blossomed out just beautifully. The Lord united us in marriage on May 2, 1947. We have been blessed with five children and eleven grandchildren.

The Lord has been exceedingly good to us. I attended the Reformed Bible Institute in Grand Rapids, and graduated in 1950, after which I served as an evangelist near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. We returned to Grand Rapids in 1952 where I attended Calvin College and Seminary. After graduation, I was ordained into the gospel ministry and eventually served as a pastor for four different churches. In 1982, I established the Biblical Counseling When I was transferred off the Nassau, we were at Pearl Harbor. I was sent back to the states and assigned to the separation center at the Naval Air Station near New Orleans, Louisiana, to help discharge the happy guys who were heading for home. With much pleasure, I served there, (got my Yeoman 2C rating), until I was eligible for discharge from the Navy. I was discharged at Great Lakes on May 5, 1946.

The Lord has been exceedingly good to us. I attended the Reformed Bible Institute in Grand Rapids, and graduated in 1950, after which I served as an evangelist near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. We returned to Grand Rapids in 1952 where I attended Calvin College and Seminary. After graduation, I was ordained into the gospel ministry and eventually served as a pastor for four different churches. In 1982, I established the Biblical Counseling Center in Jenison, Michigan, which is near Grand Rapids, and at which I still counsel part-time. I authored the book. Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling, now being sold worldwide, in its third edition. It's also available in four other languages and on CD ROM.

I still thank the Lord for directing my way, leading me to serve in the Navy, and for the experiences I had on the Nassau. These He used to prepare me for my life's primary occupation, and to give me the privilege of ministering to many.