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Farmer’s Wife Becomes Evangelist
in Hawarden, a huge storm attacked the area and blew the large tent and one of the small
ones to the ground.
The Sypes’ attitude was that this was the Lord’s work, and if He wanted it done all
over again, that’s what they would do. Between showers, sometimes working in the rain,
they raised the tent again.
Mrs. Sype wrote, “We have been hindered by rains and storms, but have improved the
opportunities as they came along, and the Lord is blessing us. We are of good courage. The
way never looked brighter; and we know Jesus is soon coming.” (Taken from Field
Reports. Hawarden,” Iowa Workers’ Bulletin, July 14, 1908: 2; emphasis added.)
In spite of opposition, Minnie Sype started S abbath services. Her work in Hawarden
grew to such an extent that when J. W. McComas, another licensed minister, closed his
meetings because of minimal results, he was sent to assist Mrs. Sype for a time.
When the tent meetings closed, Minnie Sype could report nine adults keeping all the
commandments of God. She and her assistants held Bible studies in the homes of 28
families weekly. Attendance at Sabbath worship services kept growing. A church was
organized in Hawarden and then a church school.
Mrs. Sype baptized at least one candidate whom she prepared for church membership
while in Hawarden, Thomas Durst has reported in a letter to the editor of Insight magazine and in correspondence with the writer. Thomas’ mother, Lillian Durst, frequently
spoke over the years about her baptism in a stock tank by Mrs. Minnie Sype, a full-time
minister. (Taken from Thomas E. Durst, “A Real Lady Preacher, Insight, May 7, 1974: 2-3
(see page 2 of this book); Also from a personal letter and a general letter sent to the writer by
Thomas E. Durst, Colville, Washington, May 28, 1984, See appendix A, 2.4.)
Possibly because Hawarden was remote from the conference office, located as it was
far in the northwestern corner of the state on the South Dakota border, the conference
leadership sometimes allowed Mrs. Sype to baptize the candidates whom she prepared, if
no ordained minister could be scheduled.
When Mr. Sype’s throat condition would no longer allow him to lead the singing for
the meetings, he stayed with Minnie’s sister on her farm in a neighboring state, taking
along James, the second son. During this time Minnie was lonely and greatly missed her
husband’s assistance leading the singing for the meetings. After a short time she visited
her husband and James and told them she thought she would live at the farm, too, in
order to be with them. However, both husband and son strongly opposed her giving up
her work. Her family, recognizing her gift, always wanted her to be active in evangelism.
Strengthened by her family’s support, Minnie returned, determined to do her best. It
was a challenge. Often she spent all day in the homes of interested people, believing as
she did in the importance of one-to-one contact; but then she would return to her lonely
home and cry herself to sleep at night.
By the time Mrs. Sype’s work moved primarily to Cedar Rapids several months later,
her husband was well enough to join her; James returned with him. Mrs. Sype served as

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