1964 President O.J. Finch injured in car crash in which his wife is killed.

During the last week in February 1964, President O.J. Finch preached in chapel on the "Ministry of Suffering." Taking the story of Lazarus as his text, Finch told the students that Christ "arranges the circumstances of our lives" and that "nothing happens outside the will of God." Therefore, when we suffer, it is to prepare us to minister to others who hurt and suffer, to demonstrate the trust and allegiance of the sufferer, to allow a miracle to be witnessed, and to bring unity to believers. The next day, Finch and his wife left for Colorado where they bought a new car. On their return they encountered a bad snowstorm near Kingman, Arizona, and were hit head-on by a car out of control. President Finch received several fractures and lacerations. His wife was killed.

Incapacitated in the hospital, the president offered his resignation to the board of trustees. They refused it and offered to hold the position for him until he was recovered.

From For Zion's Sake, by Ron Kirkemo



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