ELKHART, Ind. (Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission/Mennonite Mission Network) – Rudolph C. (Rudy) Martens – pastor, teacher, translator, administrator, musician, photographer, and man who could make junk live again – died peacefully at Greencroft Healthcare, Goshen, Ind., on Oct. 19. He was 87.
Just two days before, he had been correcting the Greek and Hebrew pronunciation of biblical names as his granddaughter, Annie Martens, read to him from Acts.
Last year, the Council of International Anabaptist Ministries honored Rudy Martens and his wife, Elvina, for their 18 years of ministry in the Democratic Republic of Congo through Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM).
Responding to the news of Martens’ death, Joly Birakara, vice president of the largest of the Congolese Mennonite denominations, Communauté Mennonite au Congo, wrote: “This man served Congo well. May his good works follow him and commend him, as the biblical book of Revelation says.”
Born March 24, 1926, in Tavistock, Ontario, to Cornelius and Elizabeth (Suderman) Martens, Rudy received his Bachelor’s degree from University of Western Ontario in 1948. He went on to receive theological training from Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Chicago. It was there that he married a medical doctor, Elvina N. Neufeld, in 1951 and, the following year, the couple began ministry in Congo. In 1975, between terms overseas, Martens completed his Master’s degree in divinity at Wartburg Theological Seminary, located in Dubuque, Iowa.
During their first two terms in Congo – at Ndjoko Punda and then at Mukedi – Rudy directed and taught in teacher-training schools, while Elvina oversaw large medical programs, including the administration of all eight Mennonite church hospitals in Congo.
In addition to teaching, Rudy is remembered for the many hours he spent training Congolese students and pastors to repair radios and watches, as well as in photography. He wanted to give them ways to supplement the limited income provided by their congregations.
“Dad used his enormous technical gifts to maintain hospital and mission equipment in nearly impossible conditions,” said son, Philip Martens.
In 1960, following the mass evacuation of missionary personnel during Congo’s struggle for independence, the Martens couple gave themselves to a decade of ministry in the United States, Rudy as a pastor and Elvina as a physician. They served in Fairview, Mich., and Wayland, Iowa.
Returning to Congo in 1970, Elvina and Rudy were placed at Kalonda to continue their ministries in medicine and education. Jim Bertsche, who also served as a mission worker in Congo and, then, as AIMM’s executive secretary from 1978-1984, wrote in CIM/AIMM: A Story of Vision, Commitment and Grace: “Rudy Martens served as the [Kalonda Bible] Institute director for four years. [After that, he] was asked to organize and renew the Theological Extension Education thrust as an extended training arm of the school. With fresh materials and clear structure, the response was immediate.”
In 1980, health problems forced Elvina and Rudy Martens back to the United States. They were called to work among the Cheyenne/Arapaho communities near Hammon, Okla. In 1986, they moved to Illinois to serve as pastors of the West Sterling Mennonite Church. They retired in 1993.
“Given their training, Rudy and Elvina could easily have opted for more lucrative careers in the States,” Bertsche said. “They will, however, always be remembered on both sides of the Atlantic for their unassuming manner, their compassionate spirit, and their servanthood stance.”
Rudy Martens was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Wanda Martens; and his wife of 60 years, who died April 11, 2012.
Surviving are two sons, John (Danile) Martens of Mishawaka, Ind., and Philip (Janet Liechty) Martens of Champaign, Ill.; a daughter, Elizabeth (Cleon) Claassen of Moses Lake, Wash.; six grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and two step-brothers, Waldemar Dirks of Petersburg, Ontario, and Otto Dirks of Saint Catherines, Ontario.
Martens was a member of Silverwood Mennonite Church in Goshen, Ind., where a memorial service will be conducted Saturday, Oct. 26, at 10:30 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be given to Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM).
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For immediate release
Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact news@mennonitemission.net.
