View source for Fast, Johann J. (1834-1898)

Johann J. Fast, a nephew of [[Fast, Daniel (b. 1826)|Daniel Fast]], was born in South [[Russia|Russia]] in 1834, and through reading and independent study he became a well-informed and powerful minister in the [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren Church]] of Russia. Five sons and one daughter reached maturity: Johann, Peter, Bernhard, Isaak, and Justina stayed in Russia, most of them perishing behind the Iron Curtain, while Daniel came to [[Canada|Canada]] in 1904, entered the teaching profession, and located in [[Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada)|Vancouver]], [[British Columbia (Canada)|British Columbia]].

Johann J. Fast began with a prosperous lumber business, but when this was destroyed by fire, he gave himself more and more to the ministry of the Gospel. Although he lived in several villages of the [[Molotschna Mennonite Settlement (Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine)|Molotschna]], he settled in [[Rückenau (Molotschna Mennonite Settlement, Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine)|Rückenau]], close to the church, where he worked in close fellowship with the renowned Mennonite Brethren Bible expositor, [[Reimer, Jacob Wilhelm (1860-1948)|J. W. Reimer]]. In his preaching Fast was not particularly dramatic but the fervency of his spirit and the excellent testimony of the purity of his life gave his presentation of the Gospel a dynamic impact. He made a particular contribution in the work of house-visitation and personal contacts with neighbors and friends, and thus led many to the saving knowledge of Christ. He died in Rückenau in August 1898, his last admonition being, "Brethren, cover up and forget."
= Bibliography =
Hege, Christian and Christian Neff. <em>Mennonitisches Lexikon, </em>4 vols. Frankfurt &amp; Weierhof: Hege; Karlsruhe: Schneider, 1913-1967: v. I, 635.
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