Hi-Line Hero - Dale Mueller

A hero is a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his or her brave deeds and noble qualities. Heroes come in many forms in life. We look up to our heroes. They are role models, shining examples of what we should be. They are selfless, genuinely good persons. Often, they are willing to risk their own life to save another.

Let me introduce you to a hero named Dale Mueller. Most people in Havre and on the Hi-Line aren't familiar with the name Dale Mueller. Those that do know him readily agree that Dale Mueller is a giant amongst those that have willingly left the beauty of this area to make life better for others. For the past 37 years Dale has served as a missionary, primarily in Navotas, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Dale was born June 13, 1949, at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Havre, Montana to Ben and Doris (Pasma) Mueller. He attended Lincoln-McKinley, Devlin, Junior High, graduating in 1968 from Havre High School. Some of his favorite teachers were Vendla Sturm, Sylvia Kafka and John Rominger.

Dale's father, Ben, worked first at Heltne's operating the fuel delivery truck and later at the Vita Rich Dairy maintaining the fleet of delivery trucks. While growing up, Dale often helped his father at Vita Rich. His mother, Doris, worked many years as the bookkeeper for Heltne Oil. He has an older brother Gary living in Billings.

Following his high school graduation, Dale enrolled at Northern Montana College and received a bachelor's degree in math and chemistry in 1972. He then enrolled at the University of Montana and in 1974 received a Master of Arts degree in mathematics followed by a PhD in mathematics in 1976. During his time in Missoula, he taught at the University of Montana as a graduate teaching assistant.

In the fall of 1976, Dale began teaching math and computer science at the University of Puget Sound. While there, he began advising Christian groups of students involved in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, taking them on short-term mission trips to such places as Mexico, Philippines, Haiti and China.

In 1982, Dale Mueller heard God's call to be a missionary. He finished out his contract at the University of Puget Sound and enrolled at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He graduated in 1985 with a Masters in Divinity. To which he quips, "I've got more education than I know what to do with!"

Dale goes on, "I prayed Lord, please don't send me to a big city. Please send me where others don't want to go. And where did I go? Navotas, Metro Manila."

The current population of Manila is 13,485,000 and Navotas is one of the poorest sections.

Then Sixth Avenue and now Fifth Avenue Christian Church has been his primary sending organization. Former ministers Jack Rampelburg and Kermit Owens were big influences. Besides Fifth Avenue, Moses Lake, Washington, Christian Church and Clifton, Colorado, Christian Church have been long time strong supporters. These churches are associated with the Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, whose heritage is rooted in the Restoration Movement. They are nondenominational and seek to establish independent and nondenominational churches and institutions for the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations.

In 1986, Dale moved to Navotas, metro Manila and taught at a Bible College. He continued to ask God to send him to where others wouldn't go. He met a missionary whose aunt operated a private school. They needed someone to teach the Bible to students and teachers. While leading a Bible study at Governor Andreas Pasqual High School, the students asked for a church.

Faith, Hope and Love Church was started. It grew and grew and grew! The congregation began meeting the needs of the urban area they were meeting in as well as starting another five churches in surrounding mountains and islands.

At one point Dale was confronted at gunpoint. He was accused of being a CIA agent. "But over time, they came to accept me and even protected me. I've learned the hard way that you can't get too friendly with the military or the rebels. Stay neutral." WWII veterans almost worshipped Dale because he reminded them of the soldiers who had come to free them during the occupation.

When they go to a new area, almost always the adults are skeptical and so Dale and his teams start with a Vacation Bible School for the kids. This method has been ultra-successful.

Numerous Havre church members have joined Dale for short-term endeavors in the Philippines: Hugh and Charlotte Gwynn, Cal and Aileen Couch, Randy Hinebaugh, Chad, Jennifer, Jenessa and Jobi Leathermon, Frank Donato, Jody, Sarah and Sawyer Manuel, Marie Jund, Chris Parsons, Isaac Hutton, Sharon Dolph, Jay Springer, Jadey Lipp, Kevin Tweeten, Darren Torgerson, Britni Sessler, Kelly Albright, Dwayne Whitaker, Doug Jenkins, Mike Badgley, Chris Doll, Amy McMullen, Noah Gjesdahl.

Besides the Philippines, China beckoned for Dale to visit and share the Gospel. It's not easy for anyone as tall as Dale to blend in. He has chosen to work with the government churches and this has been extremely successful. From the Chinese churches he has worked with many, many people throughout China have come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Another area impacted by Dale Mueller has been Viet Nam. He met a couple named Thuan and Esther who were visiting in Manila and interested in starting a Bible College in Viet Nam. Dale went to Viet Nam on behalf of Chad and Jen (Chivilicek) Leathermon, worship minister at Fifth Avenue Christian Church and Northern Montana Hospital registered nurse, who were seeking a place to serve. Jen is from Havre and had served in Viet Nam teaching English as a second language.

He found that Viet Nam was not a good fit for one using their nursing skills and recommended Chad and Jen look elsewhere which led them to Cambodia. However, Dale found a new ministry working with Thuan and Esther in music ministry. The work is exploding,

But Havre and the Hi-Line will always be home for Dale Mueller. In recent times Dale has had some health issues. He returns to Montana from time to time to keep in touch with his supporting churches and seek medical direction. But as much as he loves our area, he is always looking forward with the anticipation of returning to the Philippines. He maintains an apartment at the Eagles Manor and when in Havre, is a very active member of Fifth Avenue Christian Church.

Is Dale Mueller a Hi-Line Hero? Absolutely, without a doubt! Many years ago, he responded to Acts 2:37 and 38 "What must we do? Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Dale Mueller gave up being a college professor to live in one of the most poverty-stricken areas of the world ... for 37 years! He has also responded to the Great Commission: "Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

Thank you, Dale, for going where others would not go. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many throughout our world. The Hi-Line is proud of you. Dale Mueller, you're our hero!

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Ila McClenahan is a retired chaplain and activity director living in the Amos area north of Havre. She spends her time writing, speaking at various events, volunteering and trying to be a good grandmother, mother and wife.