Lifelong BBFI educator Eli Harju met his Savior face to face December 31, 2015, at the age of 95. He was born November 2, 1920, in Rudyard, MI, to Finish immigrants. He was the youngest of 12 children and did not learn to speak English until kindergarten. During a visit home while a student at the University of Michigan he heard his older brother and two older sisters tell how they had found Christ. They invited him to attend a service at their community church and on December 26, 1948, he accepted Christ as his Savior. His brother told him before he returned to school, “If you can’t find a church like this one, go to a Baptist church. It is more than likely to be right.”
After graduation, Harju attended Temple Baptist Church, Detroit, MI, and became involved with the college and career ministry. During this time, he developed close friendships with G. B. Vick and Wendell Correll. On Memorial Day 1951, Harju drove to Baptist Bible College with his pastor and enrolled in summer school. This is where he met R.O. Woodworth, the school’s business manager, who would become another lifelong friend. Because of needs at the school and Harju’s credentials, he was asked to teach English while also a student. This began his life’s primary ministry. On July 30, 1954, he married Mary Lou Burton.
From 1953-1970 Harju served as faculty at Baptist Bible College teaching Bible History, Life of Paul, Church History, English, Homiletics, Hermeneutics, Bible Introduction, the Book of Jonah, and Church Administration. He served as dean of education from 1965-1970. During this time he also pastored Bible Baptist Church, Crane, MO. In 1970 he moved to Lynwood, CA, to pastor Olivet Baptist Church where James Combs pastored prior to serving at Tribune editor. In 1983, Frank Johnson asked Harju to vice president of Pacific Coast Baptist College. He served in this capacity for six years before returning to Springfield, MO, to work again at his alma mater. He both taught and served as assistant to the president for Leland Kennedy. Even after retirement he continued teaching and investing in others through his Sunday school class at High Street Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Louise Burton Harju, three children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at High Street Baptist Church, Springfield, MO.
Portions of this tribute are from “Eli Haju, BBFI Education” printed in the May 15, 2001, Baptist Bible Tribune, by Mike Randall and can be found at www.tribune.org.
From Eddie Lyons, Eli Harju’s pastor
It has been my great privilege to pastor the church where Mr. and Mrs. Harju were members. The first time I got up to preach, I looked out over the crowd and spotted Mr. Harju. It dawned on me that I would be preaching to a man who had taught pastors and missionaries all over the world for generations. He was a living legend. What I quickly discovered was he was one of the best encouragers in the church. He reminded me often that he prayed for me every day. I will miss those prayers.
One thing we can accomplish as a Fellowship is to train the next generation of leaders. This can only be done because of the dedication and sacrifice of those who serve in our colleges. Mr. Harju’s contribution to our Fellowship lives on through the ministries of his many students. We are grateful for the life and ministry of Eli Harju.
Tribute from Shirley Hackler
Eli Harju is truly one of the giants of the faith. He is a man who endured and has been faithful to not only his cause but also the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ. I knew Mr. Harju when he first came to High Street after serving in the war and attending the University of Michigan. Everyone at High Street knew him as the blonde, smart, young professor at BBC.
When he retired I worked in the recruiting department for BBC. I asked the students working with me, “What do you think when the name Eli Harju is mentioned?” A few responses include: “A spiritual giant whom I love and admire,” “A Baptist through and through and I might add with a capital B,” and “A dedicated man, a man of wisdom.” One other student made the comment, “When Dr. Harju prays it is like sitting in the living room with God.”
After he returned to Springfield in the mid 80s his office was just two doors down from mine. I would never knock on his door until I first looked through the window to make sure he was not down on his knees praying. If he ever told you he would pray for you it meant he would spend time on his knees praying for you. There is an old saying that says, “Make new friends, but keep the old, because one is silver and one is gold.” Eli Harju was truly a friend of gold.