After nearly 50 years of ascension ministry and at the age of 85, Christian growth author Miles J. Stanford stepped into the Lord's glory on September 21, 1999. In addition to his prolific writings, he maintained worldwide correspondence with scores of hungry-hearted believers, typically signing his doctrinally rich letters with "Resting in Him."
(1914 - 1999)
Miles Joseph Stanford was a writer of Christian materials and one of the most outspoken proponents of his day on the subjects of Dispensationalism and the Growth Truths of Romans 6-8. He was fully committed to this ministry and faithfully served the Body of Christ for nearly 50 years, until his home-going on September 21, 1999, at the age of 85. He is survived by his wife, Cornelia; by two brothers, Art and Robert; and a sister, Bettie Sundine.
Untold numbers of believers have been impacted by Miles' ministry, through his books, papers, tapes, and personal correspondence. Included in the nearly 20 books he wrote are such titles as: The Principle of Position, The Ground of Growth, Abide Above, The Reckoning That Counts, and The Line Drawn. His best known publication was The Green Letters, which was first published in book form in 1964, and has since been translated into nearly a dozen foreign languages. Another major work, The Complete Green Letters, which combined the five earlier books in one volume, and was published by Zondervan in 1984.
Because he put so much of his material in writing, and because his writings are now available on the Internet and in compact disc form, his influence will extend well into the future. Miles would have told you, however, that the far-reaching effect of his ministry was not because of him, but because of the Truth that he was proclaiming.
Miles, whose first name was his mother's maiden name, was born in Wheaton, Illinois, on January 4, 1914. His early life centered on the golf course and baseball diamond. He had little or no Sunday School background, and had never heard the Gospel, not even knowing John 3:16. But in spite of this, he began to realize, at age 27, that God was holy and that he was a lost sinner. He later said that this was "Our sovereign God at work!" His conviction of sin continued to deepen, and on September 19, 1940, while alone in his room, he finally received the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour.
The following year was spent getting used to church and to Christians at Wheaton College Church, while studying the Bible eight to ten hours every day. Then, in 1942, the Lord placed him in the Army Engineers as a cartographer (a map-maker) sending him overseas for a year in England and nearly two years in Germany. During this time a ministry of correspondence with other Christians developed, so that upon his discharge in late 1945, he was writing to nearly 200 individuals.
In the mid-1940's, due to a deep heart-hunger for spiritual growth, he became dissatisfied with the Wheaton churches. After waiting on the Lord for a time, the Lord settled him in a room in Brooklyn, New York. There, he continued to study God's Word, along with numerous authors, which he would later frequently quote in his writings. At the same time, the correspondence ministry continued to expand.
After five wonderful years of study, he said the Lord gave him an even more wonderful wife. He married Cornelia Schwab on January 20, 1951. The Lord had given Cornelia a similar heart-hunger for growth and to help other believers develop spiritually, and they began holding weekly evening meetings in a home, for those who hungered to go on with the Lord. The first two volumes of Ruth Paxson's Life on the Highest Plane was their textbook for what they called the "Paxson Meetings," which went on for five years.
The Lord then moved them back to the Wheaton area in the Spring of 1955. During the following seven years, the correspondence ministry expanded, many home meetings were held, and they had heavy responsibilities in a Bible church. Then, in 1962, they moved to Colorado Springs.
In 1973 Miles introduced the Spiritual Sharing Service. This "Tri-S Series," as it was called, covered much of the spiritual growth realm, including information concerning various Christian writers. In the late 1970's, he also wrote a series of devotional booklets, known as None But the Hungry Heart, and published The New Birth Explained, designed for the unsaved, as well as for new Christians.
In 1979, after 17 years in the Springs, the Lord moved Miles and Cornelia to the Denver area. There they became more involved with Miles' sister Bettie and her husband in the unique ministry of "Ed & Bettie's Christian Books." This bookstore became the center for their mail-order operation, and also provided a large meeting room in which Miles led growth classes.
In 1984 he began to prepare a series of "Position Papers," extracted from the best books in his library. These were shared a few at a time in correspondence, and were eventually published in a three-volume set entitled Position Papers - A Spiritual Anthology. In the fall of 1985, Miles and Cornelia moved back to Colorado Springs, which they loved so much.
In late 1996, Miles' website was established by a long-time friend, Dan Smedra. Then, in early 1997, the mail-order ministry was placed in the hands of Michael and Donna Doyle, and Miles entered the universe of E-mail and the World Wide Web. From that time, until the day of his home-going, the heart of his outreach continued to be personal correspondence and e-mail with believers who were hungry to "grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ"
Like many others, my wife Jane and I first heard of the Miles through one of his books, The Green Letters, back in the mid-60's. We then met Miles and Cornelia in the mid-1970's when we started to attend Mesa Hills Bible Church. They have both had quite an impact on our lives, and we appreciate them deeply!
Over the years, we found Miles to be an exceptionally hard working servant of the Lord, totally dedicated to his ministry. He was a man of strong character, and he had an excellent sense of humor. He will certainly be greatly missed by his Cornelia; by Art, Robert, and Bettie; by his friends, and by the many, many people to whom he ministered.
In the last week-and-a-half, Cornelia has been a living testimony to the enabling power of the Lord. She asked me to read something that was enclosed in one of the sympathy cards she received. She said that the words clearly reflect her testimony--the way she feels--and why she can rejoice at such a time as this.
Jim Wince
"When He giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?" (Job 34:29)
How can I grieve, when comfort abounds within my breast?
How can I speak of turmoil, when God has given rest?
How can I think of weeping, or bitter, burning tears,
When all I know is worship unspoiled by doubts or fears?
How can I wear black garments of misery and woe,
When God by grace has clothed me in sparkling white, I know?
How can I be unwanted, how can I suffer loss,
When God's dear Son has found me by dying on the cross?
How can I fear for Satan, when God is on His throne?
How can I ever be lonely, when I'm not alone?
How can I mourn the passing of any earthly thing,
When Jesus Christ indwells me and makes my spirit sing?
Cornelius Vanderbreggen, Jr.
Audio and video recordings of the memorial service held for Miles J. Stanford
are available for $1.25 and $5.00, respectively. Price includes shipping and handling.
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