Bold Living with Ruth Beale: Celebrating Her 30 Years of Ministry

One of my first impressions of Ruth, was that she speaks with such confidence and boldness. I have learned her boldness and deep trust comes from navigating the windy road of life, by God’s lamp to her feet.

You may know Ruth from her work with Wellington Christian Fellowship for the Disabled (CFFD), Manuwatū CFFD, her involvement in the All Saints Disability group, the Salvation Army disability group in Palmerston North, or her leadership of the Elevate Philippines Sponsorship Programme. You’d also then know her for the depth of character, and commitment to walking life with Christ.

I have had the privilege of spending time with Ruth in preparation for this article and to honour her service to Elevate. In talking with Ruth, she speaks of His work in her life; stories of provision, divine appointments, God’s hand of protection, love and guiding light in all her decisions.

As a student nurse, Ruth was dismissed on medical grounds from her nursing training after a severe accident. One of her core passions to serve others was torn away from her by physical pain and disability. Time passed. Day after day, for strength to endure, Ruth persevered and sought out what God had for her life. Ruth continued walking her road with God in faith that God had her in His hands.

Ruth first came to know Wellington CFFD in 1985, and was involved for the following ten years, and five of which she spent as the Chairperson. Stepping out in faith, she followed what God put on her heart to go to Bible College and then head to the Philippines in 1995, as the first Christian Ministries with Disabled Trust, as Elevate was known then. Ruth then faced enormous health challenges after catching amebic dysentery which resulted in surgery, a long stay in a Filipino in a developing-world hospital which was terrifying for Ruth with her nursing experience, and returned to New Zealand after only eight months.

Ruth’s life looked very different following her illness, with numerous hospital visits and needing to limit her involvement in the community to what her health would allow.

Throughout the past forty years, Ruth has been involved in Elevate Christian Disability Trust and elevating Christian disability
in various capacities. In her and her husband’s (Paul Beale) long-service come across many challenges. Both personally and
in leadership. Ruth’s advice to new leaders and volunteers looking to step up, and become involved in Elevate or other
causes is this:

“Persevere. There are going to be hard
times. Even Christian organisations there
are times where you will be dejected and
misunderstood. Find a group of friends who
you can connect with, pray with, and that
will encourage you. Because if you’re
disheartened and despondent, you need
encouragement not to work harder. Don’t
relinquish your leadership position if it is
hard, take a break. Get someone to cover
for you for a few weeks. Go away on holiday.
Turn your phone off. We always think that we
are totally indispensable, but we are not…
somebody else would pick it up and do it…
God does not work through one person
alone.”

If you were to wander into Ruth’s living room now, you’d notice two things:

1. She lives in a converted Church, so the living room is huge as it was the youth hall of the church.

2. There is knitting everywhere.

Ruth and her husband continue to generously donate their home and time to support an initiative she was “volun-given” (not quite
“volun-told”). They currently use their home to act as a base for ‘Operation Cover-up’, sending blankets and knitted items to Eastern Europe and Ukraine. They fill their large lounge, box it all up, and ship it all overseas. Quite the job.

Her calendar is still full, despite being semi-retired, with Church activities, running rest home church services and the Missions
Without Borders work. She’s still involved with Christian Fellowship for the Disabled.

Time passes, and Ruth continues giving. Whether it be career, relationships, or pursuing God’s call for her life. Ruth is a testament to the power of inviting Christ into every moment; the pain, the heartbreak, the loss, the grief, the joy, the adventure, the challenge, and the fear.

So, if, you have had the privilege of knowing Ruth, listening to her speak, or meeting her at an event, or for lunch; you can know she has
something to catch ahold of. An everlasting love for her Father, with a deep understanding of her Father’s love for her. This article, we hope, has shone a light on some of the journey and leadership of Ruth Beale.

To Ruth – We wish you all the best for everything each week brings, thank you for gift of over thirty years of service to Elevate Christian Disability Trust. It is an honour to have you as one of the leaders who make Elevate, Elevate.

By Ella Lander