Dr. Patricia Beall Gruits
Several years before I had the privilege of meeting Dr Gruits. I had read her book “Understanding God” written in a question and answer format which I found to be interesting and informative. Later I would meet her in person and for me it was a Divine connection with a lady who has since that time greatly influenced my life and ministry.
Dr. Gruits, who is most often referred to as “Sister Pat” was born and raised in Michigan. Her mother, Rev. Myrtle D. Beall founded and pastored Bethessda Missionary Temple in Detroit in the forties. The church grew from a store front mission to more than 5,000 members in just a few years. Rev. Beall, affectionaely known as “Ma Beall” was also a pioneer of the Latter Rain Revival. She continued pastoring at Bethesda until shortly before her death in 1979.
Through the years Sister Pat was actively involved at Bethesda as Minister of Education, writing curriculum and helping to establish many major departments within. Spiritually hungry people began to attend a Monday night prayer meeting held at the church. Out of these meetings a Minister Candidate School was birthed, the focus being on learning to hear, understand and respond to the Holy Spirit in the ministry call. Lessons written for the students challenged them to totally commit their life to Christ and to have a meaningful relationship and fellowship with Him. The school continued at Bethesda for twenty three years under the direction of Rev. Beall along with Sister Pat.
During this time Sister Pat was married to Dr. J. Peter Gruits. The years went by and they became the parents of four sons. Together they forged ahead in ministry. Soon the Lord called them to pioneer a missions project in Haiti. There were many obstacles to overcome as they pursued the call. The sudden death of Dr Peter in 1989 left Sister Pat to continue the mission they had been called to do. Part of the mission was to build a hospital in Haiti. Several years before, God had dropped into her heart these words, “I want you to build a hospital for me in Haiti.” No small task for one who knew nothing about medical facility operations. Neither did she know any of the terminology.
More years passed and one challenge after another presented itself. Haiti was under the rule of a dictator and Christians were the last thing they wanted to see, especially one who said God told her to build Him a hospital there. Sister Pat pushed on. After a long time of waiting, donations of medical supplies, along with many other necessary things and permission to be there was granted. The Gruits Memorial Medical Clinic in Bocazelle became a reality. The poor in this area of Haiti travel long distances for medical care. A maternity hospital has been completed and in operation. Women can now go there to have their babies in a clean environment. The death rate among new borns will be radically reduced. They have clean water and a sterile facility where mother and child will be well cared for. All who go to this medical facility receive care that has never before been available to them.
Back in Michigan, Sister Pat was led of God to open a Minister Candidate School in Rochester, a quaint town some sixty miles north of Detroit. She also began an annual seminar/school, teaching from her book, “Understanding God” with the addition of two other books she has written, “Understanding the Masters Voice” and Understanding Yourself.” Students from around the U.S. attend each year. I was blessed to attend in 2003. It was there that I was introduced to Joy Gruits (daughter in law) who is a very gifted instructor and Dr John Romine who taught several sessions on Christian Counseling using methods that brought the point home.
When I was in Michigan in 2003 Sister Pat asked me to have dinner with her. She said to me that evening ” I am eighty and I will continue as long as I can, no quitting.” She travels back and forth to Haiti for first hand inspections, visits with the staff and graduation of the students from Minister Candidates School and with the medical staff who are responsible for the oversight of the medical facility.
Today, at the age of eighty six, Sister Pat’s determination burns as brightly as it did the day I met her more than twenty years ago. Her ministry has touched the lives of thousands through the years and continues on today. What a lady. To say that she has lived and continues to live a life filled with adventure would be an under statement. There is much more to be said about her. Log on to her website and read all about it. www.rhemainternational.org