Monday Morning Ministers

The series continues on “regular” people from my church who are serving God and ministering to people in their “regular” lives. This week’s interview is with Stacey Bieler, a 54 year old woman with a unique knowledge of China. Stacey and her husband, Tom and daughter, Renee, are longtime attenders at URC.

1. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Delano, CA. I was a teenager during the grape strike in the 1970s. It was a tense time in the town.

2. Tell us about your family—the family you came from and the family you have now.
My parents met at the University of Arizona. After the war they and two small children moved from San Diego to Delano. After several years my father started selling life and health insurance because it was difficult to make a living as a journalist in a small town. I was born 9½ years after my brother. My mom was a music major who played cello. When she arrived in Delano she became active in the Methodist church, in Music Memorial (which gives scholarships to students), organized a trio, etc. They both helped to start a college in the town. They, at 91 and 94, are now in the same room in the skilled nursing facility in Delano.

I met Tom Bieler in the InterVarsity group at UC San Diego. We were married in 1994. He finished his degree in Materials Science at UC Davis in 1989 and we moved to East Lansing for him to become a professor at MSU.

In 1995 Tom and I adopted Renee. It is an open adoption. We saw her the day she was born. We visit with the birthfather and birthmother at least once a year. She is a gift of joy, creativity and activity.

3. How did you become a Christian?
I grew up going to the Methodist church. My mom is a Christian and my dad is not one yet. At age 12 I went to a church camp and heard an altar call.

4. Describe your current vocation and why you decided to do what you are doing.
I was on IV staff for six years, including the last two as an international student specialist with Chinese scholars at UCLA. When we moved to MSU, I decided to study Chinese history. After my advisor at MSU found that I was interested because of my Chinese friends, he suggested that my thesis focus on a journal written by Chinese students in 1905-1931. Perfect! After reading my thesis, three friends (two Chinese and one Taiwanese) asked that I write a book because this was a history they knew nothing about. “Patriots” or “Traitors”? came out in 2003. Recently I wrote three chapters and co-edited a book about ten Chinese Christians called Salt and Light. Another volume will come out this fall.

Writing stories about Chinese students who returned from the U.S. and Chinese Christians is recovering stories that have been denied by the Chinese government and then forgotten by most. It is an honor to learn about them and share their stories with others. Many are my heroes for being presidents of universities, doctors, involved in rural reconstruction, etc. during the 1920-1940s – a time of chaos due to warlords, Anti-Japanese war and then civil war. They knew God’s protection and provision. I ask would I be that faithful?

5. What are some of the blessings of your vocation?
Talking to families about their relatives. Watching God guide me to sources. Honoring God through encouraging Christians to ask God how they can follow the examples of these great men and women in their own careers.

6. What are some of the challenges?
Sitting down and writing. Difficult to find material or pictures. Being distracted by other pressing needs.

7. How is your commitment to Christ challenged, strengthened, and exercised in your vocation?
When I was writing Patriots or Traitors, I only had a MA (that is still all I have). I did not have an agreement with any publisher. I felt called to write and had to trust that God would work out a publisher once the manuscript was done. I worked on it for ten years without knowing. Along the way were encouragements that kept me going, especially from my best editor, Tom. It was published and recently is available in paperback!

8. How has your life and/or vocation been affected by the downturn in the economy?
None. I haven’t yet made money from writing books. Tom’s work pays for this habit.

9. What is one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you were younger?
Take risks to follow God’s calling even if no one else is doing it, even if you lack the gift (writing, in my case). His strength is sufficient and He loves to work through our weaknesses.

10. Any good books you are currently reading or would recommend to others?
Duane Elmer, Cross-Cultural Servanthood – years of wisdom; Rob Gifford, China Road – written by a NPR journalist (a Christian) who traveled across the country; Mischa Berlinski, Fieldwork – novel set in Thailand about missionaries; Boris Pasternak, Dr. Zhivago – great way to understand the Russian Revolution