Photos from the Memorial for Joe Kitts at Truro

Check out photos from the Memorial for Joe Kitts at Truro Church (Fairfax, VA) on Saturday, October 6th here.

Joe and I served together at Truro during the interim time between the departure of John Howe and the arrival of Martyn Minns.

What a wonderful time that was as Joe did what he did so well in pointing people to Jesus through his pastoral work, his gifts for evangelism, and his fervent preaching.

As a newly ordained priest, I learned many important things about life and ministry from Joe, and I am deeply indebted to him for the many times he shared his perspectives with me.

 But one of our favorite memories predates that interim experience. Joe baptized our daughter Meredith in 1985. There were several babies being baptized that day, and one was clearly unhappy. Joe scooped him up in his arms, pronounced the baptism blessing as the baby continued to fuss, gently handed him back to his parents, and declared with a broad smile, “Objection overruled!”

 Joe’s love for the Lord was as infectious as it was inspirational, and we count it a privilege to have known him and served Truro with him. We carry many special memories in our hearts as we celebrate God’s goodness shown to us in the lives of Joe and Freda.

 John and Nina Whitnah

Out of the Coal Mine and into the World

Memorial Service: 
Oct 5, 2013 • 10:00 am • Truro Anglican Church
10520 Main Street • Fairfax, Virginia
Reception follows

All are welcome.

Funeral and Memorial Services for the Rev. Joe Kitts

Joe Kitts was born the January 5, 1927, in St. Helens, Lancashire, England.  He went down into the mines as a Bevin boy during World War II. According to Wiki, Bevin Boys were "young British men conscripted to work in the coal mines of the United Kingdom (1943 until 1948). Chosen at random from conscripts, but also including volunteers, nearly 48,000 Bevin Boys performed vital but largely unrecognized service in the mines, many of them not released from service until years after the Second World War ended."

Joe was supervisor of his shift and enthusiastically shared the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the miners.  Since Joe worked full-time in the mines and never went to college, he studied at night in order to pass exams to enter Tyndale seminary in Bristol, where he was accepted for ministry training and ordination in the Church of England.

In 1949, Joe married Freda Jones in St. Helens.  They lived in St Helens, England, through Joe’s seminary years. During that time, Freda worked as a nurse to support him and their growing family.

Joe’s first job after ordination was as a curate of St. Peters Church, Parr, St Helens. He went from there to serve as curate at St. Mary’s (now demolished) at Bootle near Liverpool. From there he went to Southport, Lancashire, where he was Vicar of St. Simon and St. Jude.

While at seminary, Joe had met the Rev. John Guest.  John Guest encouraged Joe to come and work in the ministry in the United States. In 1974, Joe received the call to be rector of Church of the Redeemer in Okulgee, OK, and served there until 1976.

At that time, his old friend from seminary John Guest was rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Sewickly, PA.  The Associate Rector of St. Stephen's was the Rev. John W. Howe.  It was there at St. Stephen's that John Howe met Joe Kitts.

In fact, while visiting the U.K. in 1974, John Howe and his wife Karen stayed at Joe and Freda's “Cottage" (built on the side of a hill) in Wales. It was during that visit in the U.K. that John and Karen and John Guest were seeking wisdom and support for what ended up becoming Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA.

John Howe was called in 1976 to be rector of Truro Church in Fairfax, VA, and shortly after he arrived he asked Joe Kitts to join the Truro staff as Assistant Rector for pastoral care and evangelism.

Joe served through the ministries of two rectors (the Rev. Martyn Minns arrived at Truro to be rector in 1991) and an interim during his eighteen years at Truro, retiring back to England in 1994.  He and Freda settled in St. Martin’s, Oswestry, England, and to their farmhouse, "Windy Ridge" on Cottage Lane.

They enjoyed their many years together in England, sharing their warm hospitality to all who came to visit. I remember visiting Joe and Freda at their home in England and Joe took me for an unforgettable ride on the historic Snowdon Mountain Railway in Gwynedd, Wales.

In 2008, Freda went home to the Lord.  Joe continued to joyfully receive friends and guests, sharing the good news and love of Jesus.

Joe and Freda are survived by their three children, Keith Brainerd (and his wife, Beatrix) Kitts, Gillian Ann (and her husband Mike) Bigg, and Denise Ruth Kitts, as well as eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, with one on the way.

The funeral for the Rev. Joe Kitts will be on Tuesday, September 10, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Martin's Church in St. Martin, Oswestry, England. The Rt. Rev. Martyn Minns (former rector of Truro, 1991-2007) will be taking part in the funeral there.

There will also be a memorial service on October 5, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at Truro Anglican Church (10520 Main Street, Fairfax, VA). The Rt. Rev. John Howe (former rector of Truro, 1975-1989) will be preaching.

The Good News of Jesus Christ

Joe Kitts was born the January 5,1927, in St. Helens, Lancashire, England.

Joe Kitts was born the January 5,1927, in St. Helens, Lancashire, England.  He went down into the mines as a Bevin boy during World War II. According to Wiki, Bevin Boys were "young British men conscripted to work in the coal mines of the United Kingdom (1943 until 1948). Chosen at random from conscripts, but also including volunteers, nearly 48,000 Bevin Boys performed vital but largely unrecognised service in the mines, many of them not released from service until years after the Second World War ended."  This was where Joe's ministry began.

Joe was supervisor of his shift and enthusiastically shared the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the miners.  Since Joe worked full-time in the mines and never went to college, he studied at night in order to pass exams to enter Tyndale seminary in Bristol, where he was accepted for ministry training and ordination in the Church of England.

In 1949, Joe married Freda Jones in St. Helens.  They lived in St Helens, England, through Joe’s seminary years. During that time, Freda worked as a nurse to support him and their growing family.

Joe’s first job after ordination was as a curate of St. Peters Church, Parr, St Helens. He went from there to serve as curate at St. Mary’s (now demolished) at Bootle near Liverpool. From there he went to Southport, Lancashire, where he was Vicar of St. Simon and St. Jude.

While at seminary, Joe had met the Rev. John Guest.  John Guest encouraged Joe to come and work in the ministry in the United States. In 1974, Joe received the call to be rector of Church of the Redeemer in Okmulgee, OK, and served there until 1976.

At that time, his old friend from seminary John Guest was rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Sewickly, PA.  The Associate Rector of St. Stephen's was the Rev. John W. Howe.  It was there at St. Stephen's that John Howe met Joe Kitts.

In fact, while visiting the U.K. in 1974, John Howe and his wife Karen stayed at Joe and Freda's “Cottage" (built in the side of a hill) in Wales. It was during that visit in the U.K. that John and Karen and John Guest were seeking wisdom and support for what ended up becoming Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA.

John Howe was called in 1976 to be rector of Truro Church in Fairfax, VA, and shortly after he arrived he asked Joe Kitts to join the Truro staff as Assistant Rector for pastoral care and evangelism.

Joe served through the ministries of two rectors (the Rev. Martyn Minns arrived at Truro to be rector in 1991) and an interim during his eighteen years at Truro, retiring back to England in 1994.  He and Freda settled in St. Martin’s, Oswestry, England, and to their farmhouse, "Windy Ridge" on Cottage Lane.

They enjoyed their many years together in England, sharing their warm hospitality to all who came to visit. I remember visiting Joe and Freda at their home in England and Joe took me for an unforgettable ride on the historic Snowdon Mountain Railway in Gwynedd, Wales.

In 2008, Freda went home to the Lord.  Joe continued to joyfully receive friends and guests, sharing the good news and love of Jesus.

Joe and Freda are survived by their three children, Keith Brainerd (and his wife, Beatrix) Kitts, Gillian Ann (and her husband Mike) Bigg, and Denise Ruth Kitts, as well as eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, with one on the way.

The funeral for the Rev. Joe Kitts will be on Tuesday, September 10, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Martin's Church in St. Martin, Oswestry, England. The Rt. Rev. Martyn Minns (former rector of Truro, 1991-2007) will be taking part in the funeral there.

There will also be a memorial service on October 5, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at Truro Anglican Church (10520 Main Street, Fairfax, VA). The Rt. Rev. John Howe (former rector of Truro, 1975-1989) will be preaching.

Joe and Freda Kitts with friends

With thanks to Barbara Bazley and Roberta Klooster.

One year, when my youngest daughter June was about 3 or 4, we were at a Christmas service at Truro.

At the conclusion, they sang Happy Birthday Jesus.

Now June knew that if you sang happy birthday to someone, they were in the room so she started searching the room to find Jesus. Finally her eyes landed on Joe who was sitting on the "stage."You could see the light in her eyes as she saw who she was sure was Jesus.

And truly, Joe DID so clearly reflect Jesus to all who knew him.

 Adele Aiken

Funeral for Joe Kitts in England

Joe's funeral and burial will be Tuesday September 10 at 2:00 p.m. Brainerd Kitts, Joe's son, writes that if you would care to send a message, he will read it at the funeral. Brainerd's e-mail address is: brainerdk@btinternet.com.

When I was a young man at Truro, Joe was my confessor and counselor.

His heartfelt support for us has not been forgotten.

My favorite memory of Joe was the weekday morning that I came across the front lawn at Truro and called out to him, “How are ye doing today, Joe?" His response was typical Joe Kitts. He enthusiastically raised his hand and shouted back, “REJOICING!" I'm sure he had Psalm 95 on his mind and now he can “Rejoice in the Lord Always!" 

Dale E. Forrester

In 1977 I was single and stationed at the Pentagon with the USAF having just come back from assignment in Korea.

I was being mentored toward knowing Christ by the late Ken Smith who as a lawyer had helped me through the difficulties of a divorce. I spent many hours with Ken and we became good friends. I wanted to know all there was about accepting Christ into my life. Ken was the leader of the Singles Group at Truro and since Joe Kitts was the advisor to the Singles Group I got to know him.

One day in October of '77 while at work I got a personal call from Joe. He told me he wanted to talk to me. We arranged to meet at my house where I lived alone. My first reaction was that I was in trouble and somehow he had found out about my past and the kind of person I was. As we talked, Joe said I needed to accept Christ now. I told him I had a lot of issues in my past to deal with, that he didn't know who I was, and that I wasn't ready. He said, “You'll never be ready, you need to pray now." I said OK Joe go ahead and pray. He said “No, you pray." Well I'm not sure what the prayer was but Joe hugged me, prayed with me again and I have been a new creation ever since.

A little over a year later Joe officiated at my marriage to Diana Hilgartner, who I met through the Singles Group at Truro. She was my best friend then and still is today. We named our first son Andrew 'Joseph' - in honor of Joe. We call Andrew 'AJ,' but Joe always called him 'A.Joe.'

The world will miss Joe Kitts, but Heaven is now a much better place. I'm looking forward to seeing him again.

 Dave Boyd

I was working with Joe at the time establishing a Seniors' Fellowship.

My elderly mother participated in the fellowship, though towards the end of her life life she was not mentally capable. She just did everything that I told her to do. It certainly made care-giving easier but it did not answer one huge question that I had. “Did she really know the Lord or was she just following and agreeing with everything I said and did?"

 I expressed my concerns to Joe. The very next day he was on my doorstep. He came in and talked with my Mother and gently led her to express her faith. After that he simply said, “Well! That's done." 

And we all knew that it was. I never again doubted her relationship with God, our Heavenly Father and neither did she. Thank you, dear Joe and praise to the Lord of the universe.

 June Leeuwrik

Things i learned from Joe Kitts ...

1. Don't get in arguments about God. Some people will argue for arguing sake (for example, Who did Cain marry?). 
2. Talk to the person about Jesus. This will either end the conversation abruptly or take you to a salvation talk. 
3. Learn how to give a Gospel message in one or two sentences, in a minute or less time. 
4. Gather prayer support when you go out to minister to people or on a door to door visit around a neighborhood. 
5. And always go in twos or threes. 

Saved through conversations with his grandfather when he was seven, Joe was blessed with a testimony of God's protective love. I was blessed to serve on the prayer team he set up to support the door to door ministry. He had such a heart for the lost and the un-churched, and such a love for Christ and strong faith in God that all of us who served with him caught his vision.

Ann Westerman

Only a couple of years ago, after Freda died, we went to see Joe where he was living alone in his cottage on the Welshborder.

His lungs were bad from the illness contracted many years ago down in the coalmine, and he was hoarse and short of breath.

Nevertheless he told us that he went for a daily walk down the lane near his home. “I'm practicing," he said. “I sing hymns in the lane. Soon I'll be singing them in the presence of the Lord, so I'm practicing."

He used to joke that the story of his life was “From Coalpit to Pulpit."

Praise God he is now breathing easily, and singing what he rehearsed so long.

 Barbara Bazley

We have wonderful memories as we have been to visit Joe during our two years in London.

We first saw him in his home and he insisted on walking us to the car although he was not steady on his feet. Soon after that his children thought it best for him to be in a nursing home close by his home. However Joe always believed in “Blooming where you are planted." He was the life and soul of the nursing home talking about His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at every opportunity. We were blessed to visit him there several times and it was well worth the six hours of travel it took to get there!

From the moment we arrived at Truro, he took us all under his wing and Joe was always supportive and guided Martyn. At the first service Joe literally pushed Martyn into where he should stand.

One funny incident was when Martyn gave Joe an answering machine. Joe was adamant that he did not need one as he always answered his phone when he was home. He said he was not like Martyn who never answered his phone. However he was never at home as he was always visiting!

 When he left for England he would not give us a list of those whom he visited. His answer was that he himself would continue to look after them from England. This he did returning and visiting.

We love Joe Kitts. We look forward to our reunion in heaven. We give thanks to God for the gift of his life. To God be the glory great things he has done!

 Angela Minns

I used to go with Joe on evangelism visits to those folks who attended Truro for the first or second time.

On the way he loved to use the car phone he had (one of those early phone before cells or bluetooth) to call ahead and see if the people were home (it was kinda like a big-boy toy for him, I think...). Once at their home, he could start a conversation using any object he might see - like a photo, book, clock, piece of art, you name it. He would gradually lead into sharing the Gospel using his unique creativity, and had such a winsome way that people had difficulty resisting his approach. He often urged me to share some part of my testimony or the Gospel to give me some experience. I attribute his training (along with Ed Pritchard's) as indispensable in becoming comfortable with sharing the gospel myself. On the way back to church he would de-brief the evening and encourage me. What a master he was! 

Karen Phillips

Joe Kitts.

A gentle soul.

 Amy Walton Williams

What a man of God!

I just loved Joe. If you admired something in his house, he'd GIVE it to you!!!! You had to be careful.

Harry Strong

The Rev. Joe Kitts, yes-a friend, but always, it seemed, the quintessential, priestly “father figure" to so many.

Following his retirement, anytime he returned to his beloved Truro, he would swing right and left, to-and-fro, pressing the flesh of so many who appreciated him and wanting to be remembered by him. There never was enough time to reach them all! Dear Joe, we are happy for where you are now ... but you will be sorely missed.

 Will & Tammy Putz

One Christmas day we had invited the Kitts to join us for the afternoon.

Joe appeared and after greetings, asked what our young teen-aged boys were doing. They were playing ping pong in the basement. Off went Joe to join them in a half hour or so of spirited paddle work. Then, like Mark, Joe was immediately off to his next call having brought such joy to our sons with his presence, which was a Christmas present.  How like Joe!

 Eldon and Louisa Rucker

My most vivid memory of Joe is a Friday night sermon he preached on the text of being ambassadors for Christ.

Being a Washington congregation, we knew all about ambassadorships, but Joe did such a splendid job of relating the earthly to the spiritual that by the time he finished, I think we were all ready to go serve.

Julia Henderson

Other than Joe checking his watch right after Eucharist in the old 9:30 service to make sure they could clear the parking lot for the folks coming to the next service ...

... Perhaps the clearest memories I have of Joe are these:

I remember at the end of one Service Martyn Minns saying Joe had an announcement to make or wanted to say a few words. That seemed curious. Joe came out and shared that the staff had been getting a lot of flack for the Old Testament reading the week (or possibly 2 weeks) before, which had been from the Apocrypha (the book of Tobit, if I recall correctly). Joe said something along the lines of “The 39 Articles says that the Apocrypha is profitable for reading and teaching." Then he said something else to the effect of “get over it" - I think he thought we were being a little Pharisaical - and sort of stomped off. An interesting moment that showed Joe's love for the historic Anglican church.

I also remember the beatific look on Joe's face when he was “slain in the Spirit" at a Men's Breakfast with evangelist Mahesh Chavda in the Truro Undercroft. There were probably thirty people there and it was quite a meeting!

And Joe did a wonderful job singing the liturgy.

David Smith

Our son James was in a horrible situation when he was in middle school ...

... where he was horribly harassed by bullies. James was at the end of his rope when Joe intervened in his life and surrounded him with the love of Christ. Joe's love and care was the beginning of the turnaround in James' life. James is now in his internship as a mental health counselor, working to help troubled youth. Thank you, Joe, for being Christ's hands and heart in the life of our son!

Joanna Craft

One of our first personal moments with Joe was in the 24 hours before the birth of our first daughter, Emily.

Alice was eight days over her due date, and, of course, we were a bit anxious! So after the morning service, we went to the railing for prayer. Joe prayed a powerful prayer and sent us home with the advice to trust God and relax.

In the middle of the next day, labor began, and, 19 years later, Emily is in her second year in college. We were quite sure Joe’s prayer prompted Him to ‘move us along’ toward the happy event. It’s a fond memory of Joe we’ll never forget.

 Bruce and Alice Hunt

Joe literally led me, step by step, to the Lord.

I'll never forget him saying, to my question about how to know if the Lord is there for me, he said: “believe and then expect Him to act in your life. Faith's seed will grow."

When Theresa Mulligan Newell was leading our group in Israel, Joe and Freda were our clergy couple. Coming back from Masada (1984), she told us that it was getting late and we would not be able to float in the Dead Sea. Following Joe's lead, about eight more of us jumped into the Dead Sea with all our clothes on. What a sight to see us encrusted in salt and walking through the lobby of the Hilton Hotel!

Diane Hutchins

John Howe brought Joe in early in his career here.

A hallmark was Joe’s gentle manner. His love of Jesus was infectious. And he could put more spin on a tennis ball than I thought possible. I don’t recall ever winning a set from him.

 Paul Julienne

The Rev. Joe Kitts in 2008.
Thank you to Roberta Klooster!

Just before the processional on his first Sunday as Truro's new rector, suddenly Martyn Minns totally panicked and didn't know what to do.

He turned to Joe, and said, “What do I do? Where am I supposed to be?" And Joe replied, “It's your church, do whatever you want!"

 Alan Bonsall

Joe was an amazing man.

Whenever I thought I had a difficult challenge I'd think of Joe as a young man, down in the coal pit, and thinking about becoming a preacher.

And I loved listening in to he and Martyn Minns when no one else was around. Their English would become northern and their expressions, verbs, and many nouns would just go right over my head and I'd ask for the American translation.

Finally, I learned much of what I know about walking in to hospital rooms and tough places from Joe. He loved The Lord and I'm sure he has heard: “Well done good and faithful servant."

Paul Frey

What a blessing he was!

Still remember his sermon on the privilege of tithing. Looking forward to seeing him at the Wedding Feast!

Tara Frodigh

Wonderful mentor and friend!

Joe married Theresa and me on Sep 1, 1990.

Bruce Newell

When the Western Fairfax Mission was ready to form one Sunday ...

...there was an altar call for those interested in being a part of this church plant (later Christ the Redeemer, Thomas Herrick, Vicar). A few weeks later, I had cold feet and was scared to death to leave my “mother church," Truro.

On Sunday morning I went up for prayer and I will never forget what Joe said. “Cheryl," he said, “you need to go and be there and the Lord will speak to you."

And he was exactly right! The first gathering of the Western Fairfax Mission, Bill and I knew that this was His will and we never looked back! That was a profound moment to hear that word from Joe, because I can look back on our life and so much of where we are and the ministry we have now is based on that decision that was made to step out of fear and into Jesus. Thank you, Joe Kitts!!! You are so dear loved!

 Cheryl McCarthy

In July 1988 my mother came to Truro with me.

Joe was being the saint in white robes saying hello to folks during the preservice time. He stopped to meet Mom. She died in her sleep a day later at my house. I returned the next week and spoke to Joe about his touching Mom's heart just before her going to be with Jesus.

 Kari Marretta Reed

During the time we were assistants at Truro ...

... Joe would talk with me about the Welsh Revival, which was often overlooked in church history, but of great interest to him, as a native of the British Isles. Since my grandfather was born in Wales, I took note of this. Joe had strong gifts in evangelism and in pastoral care.

 Jamie Jones

Always kind and willing to listen.

Always ready to pray with you.

Cynthia Campbell 

I have many memories of Joe from when I was a kid ...

... but one that stands out was when I was in the church office doing something with Good News Camp. I overturned a can of coke that I had set down on the carpet just as Joe came into the room. I jumped up to clean it up and started to profusely apologize. I was a bit clumsy as a kid and was used to getting pretty well chastised for my carelessness by whoever was around when I knocked something over. Joe wasn't at all bothered by it and said not to worry a bit about it. I was stunned. I was so happy to learn that there is no need to get upset over things like that, and I have never gotten upset over a spilled thing ever since.

 More recently, I got to pass this grace on to a student who, similarly to me, was clumsy. She dropped a valuable glass jar in her classroom while I was with her, and she was so surprised that I didn't get mad about it. It really shook her world too. I am amazed at how God's grace can shine through the seemingly littlest things.

 Alicia Julienne Bradford

I have many wonderful memories of Joe.

One that comes to mind quickly is a story he told about a young boy who yelled down the steps to his mother, “Is this shirt clean enough to wear?” His mother’s answer was, “If it’s doubtful, it’s dirty!” And thus any questionable situation that was doubtful might need a good wash!

I also remember playing tennis with Joe at  annual Truro Singles Beach Trip. He was a natural athlete and a much better player than any of us, yet he put up with us all! I chuckled when he called the score, “Van (pronounced “vahn”) in and Van-out instead of Ad-in and Ad-out! His Welsh dialect was a joy!

When my husband died, Joe kept in touch with me. I confessed to him that I was angry with God and he told me that God could certainly handle my anger, but that perhaps it was time to let go of it. Joe was truly a man of God and filled with the Spirit! It was a blessing to receive his ministry!

 Gayle Yates Wirschnitzer

I don't know of anybody who loved His Lord any more than Joe did.

How I would have loved to have been there when they met. Think about that. They both loved each other so much. I would have loved to see them – embracing each other – meeting in person after all the years of loving each other in their hearts.

Enjoy eternity there, Joe.  You're home!

 Amen and amen.

 Louis Malvaney

Joe, Freda, and I became close friends when he sent me back to the mountains.

I'd left the valley there when one of the locals told everyone no woman should be teaching men - or anyone else, for that matter. But that's not the story.  One day Joe was tell me about about his mounting work load so I volunteered to come to Fairfax one day per week to help with pastoral care.

Little did I know, Joe had decided he'd train me for my own good and for the care of those I might serve. I'd arrive in the morning and we'd pray. Then I'd ask for the schedule for the day. There wasn't any. Some days, we'd walk outside and Joe would say, "The Lord is saying we go in this direction. Another day, we'd wait in silence until the Lord told him who we were going to see. 

Efficient? No indeed! Incredibly accurate? Our visits were always amazingly timely!

 Jeannie Light

My favorite memory of Joe was when he would be preaching at Truro ...

... and the message and the delivery were so powerful that the congregation would burst into clapping, spontaneous and loud. Joe would smile and with his right arm upraised and his finger pointing toward God, he would praise his Lord and give Him all the credit for what had just occurred.

 He was so humble and knew Jesus in such a personal way that he let his light shine before men and drew so many to the Lord. I am blessed to have know him and will treasure his memory.

Brenda Rugless

During a time of some personal struggle and soul-searching, Joe simply exhorted me to “Follow the peace.”

His words brought much-needed hope and clarity. Joe always seemed to offer simple, Christ-filled hope to everyone he encountered! He knew how to follow Christ and to make the way known to us all. Welcome home, good brother!

 Rick Wallis

I first met Joe when we both found ourselves at a clergy selection conference ...

... in Birmingham (England) in 1957. The conference began with each of the prospective candidates having to present themselves to the group (about 30 of us altogether). Joe was one of the early ones and he made everyone's eye's open with amazement as he spoke. "My name is Joe Kitts", he began in his then broad Lancashire accent.

"I'm a coal miner from St. Helen's. I was born in 1926. I was born again in 1937......." There were many of us there who had shared Joe's conversion experience. But in a conference like that, you were usually careful in the way you expressed that kind of thing. But Joe's forthright words encouraged us all to do the same and it became almost like a testimony meeting much to the dismay of those of a more liberal or catholic tendency.

 That was Joe. We have maintained our friendship over the years. I visited him a few times in Truro and spent a week there doing a teach-in on Mission based on our work in Chile. Our friendship was renewed when he and Freda returned to the UK and Barbara and I have tried to visit Joe as regularly as possible in the home where he has spent the last couple of years.

Hope you get some great testimonies from people who have been blessed through Joe's life and ministry. He was an extraordinary man of God.

Colin Bazley

I first met Rev. Kitts when I was six years old.

My parents took me on a trip to England, and while we were there, we visited Joe and Frieda in their cottage in Wales. I remember little about it, except that the house reminded me of a cozy hobbit home, and Frieda introduced me to the joy of having a hot water bottle put at my feet in bed at night. I remember chasing a little lamb in the green fields that they called home. I never could catch it, though.

Later, my father, the Rev. John Howe, invited the "man from England" to come and serve on his staff at Truro. I remember feeling very happy that he was coming, and I always found him and Frieda to be warm and kind and gentle folks. I loved listening to their accents.

 Dad often sent Joe to minister to those church members who were hospital-bound. Joe had a special kindness and gentleness that was perfectly suited for that ministry, as his spirit greatly blessed the weak and suffering. He had a beautiful bedside manner.

 I always felt safe and peaceful around Rev. Kitts. I look forward to seeing him again one day, where peace and joy will forever abound in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. And maybe, just maybe, he and I can finally catch that little lamb together.

 Kathy Howe

One Monday morning, Joe handed me a $50 bill.

For the past several years, David and I were leading the Engaged Couples Class at Truro. We held these classes three times per year and they always involved selecting mentors (married couples) to help with the class plus preparing the presentations each week. It was a lot of work but David and I really enjoyed these classes and felt that we were investing n the future of marriage.

 On that Monday morning, when Joe handed me the $50 bill, he explained that he had received it the Saturday before by a bride for the wedding Joe performed. He now wanted to share the money with David and me for the work we had done preparing that bride and her new husband for marriage. We still have that $50 bill! It sits in my jewelry box and I always think of the precious man who gave it to me when I open the box.

 Donna Blackistone

Joe Kitts was one of those rare individuals whose face literally radiated with the love of Christ ...

... this love and his practical wisdom and ability to kindly reach into the heart of any situation truly blessed all who came in contact with him. For many years after leaving Truro, he retained Christmas photos on his refrigerator and prayed for our family, not to mention usually sending a handwritten warm response to our card, sometimes with a CD of an English kids' choir singing for our daughter.

 Debbie Sulik

We praise God for the life of Joe Kitts–Evangelist at all times ...

... a Coal Miner who could relate with whomever was in front of him. How many times we turn to his loving example of how to live in Jesus! There was no friendlier, more loving brother in Christ.

 Vic and Joan Meyer

Joe blessed my daughter and son in law by officiating at their wedding ...

... in the Chapel twenty eight years ago this November. He was also a pastor and mentor to my home group which began in l965 as the first Shepherd's group and still meets today with original as well as new members. When he came back to the United States he would always join our group for an evening of renewing friendships. During Joe's last visit he gathered with us in a special "pot-trust" at my house, now so memorable and precious for all of us.

 Sandy Bittner

One day I received a call from Rev. Joe Kitts asking me to choose three or four from my Home Group list ...

... because he would like to visit them with me. Gordon and I were Home Group Leaders at Truro for people in our area. The list was about thirty or so, and some were inactive or had not responded with an interest to be contacted. I thought the best thing to do was to choose some of those I did not know. That day I saw a master at work. I called the home and asked if we could visit. They greeted us reluctantly at the door, and Joe greeted them in return like they were his dear friends. Within a very few minutes Joe had noticed an book, an album, a work of art, a clock (he loved old clocks) or something in the home and comment on the subject or the artist. I was amazed at the ease with which he brought these folks into conversation about something they enjoyed. I will never forget seeing his strong gift at engaging people he had not yet met. By the end of the visit he had always approached their “coming back” to Truro and invited them “to give us another try.”

Roberta Klooster

Early in my several years as Senior Warden and Administrator of Truro Church ...

.... Joe Kitts came to my office and asked if he might bring men who had just accepted the Lord to see me because he always told them that the first thing they should do after accepting Jesus was to tell someone.  Many times Joe would come to my door and say, “____ has something he wants to share with you” and I invited him to come in.  The man would say, often with tears running down his face, “I just accepted Jesus as my Savior.”. I would usually give him a big hug and say a very brief prayer for him to have God’s strength to walk the walk.  I count it a privilege have be a witness to the most important fruit of the ministry of the Rev. Joe Kitts.

Gordon J. Klooster

Remembering the life of Joe Kitts

We are gathering memories, thoughts, reflections about Joe Kitts who served at Truro Church in Fairfax, Virginia.  We are working on bringing those memories together, reflecting on how so many remember Joe and how Jesus touched so many lives through him.  He did indeed surrender all to Jesus.