Audio Reconstruction: A Beautiful Ministry

The thousands of tapes are beautiful—not in the sense of their being colorful or outwardly different from a normal tape. Each is beautiful in the sense of which Isaiah spoke in 52:7:”How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’”

The tapes are the major ministry of Mt. Olive Tape Library in Mt. Olive, Mississippi. The library is the realized dream of its director, George Calhoun. The idea originated as George looked for solid material to equip him in his weekly preparation to teach a Sunday School class. Hungry to know more of God’s word and to teach others accordingly, he needed more than the weak outlines provided in many Sunday School teachers’ manuals.

By insistence of a friend, he attended some Reformed conferences in the late 60s which featured sound teaching. As conference messages were made available by tapes, George realized what a tremendous opportunity had presented itself. This teaching he had heard could be reviewed at home by listening to the tapes.

Having a servant’s heart, George thought of others who could also benefit from the conference but were unable to attend. He began to loan out the tapes. His personal inventory increased as he annually bought more conference and sermon tapes.

God had prepared him for this ministry years earlier. While in the Marines he had studied mechanics and systems. He was readily able to begin properly to organize the increasing number of Reformed messages he was receiving.

Available tapes were first listed on one- and two-page publications and distributed among interested students at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. The tapes were advantageous to those students as they wrestled to gain a Biblical perspective on numerous issues. These small lists gained wider circulation, literally around the world.

Their circulation necessitated the establishing of the library as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. The library requires much work. incoming tapes must be checked for Biblical faithfulness. A master copy must be made. Another copy is made to duplicate tapes for library users. Orders must be filled, mail answered, and equipment maintained. For years the Lord has enabled George and a small staff, under the oversight of a board, to maintain this ministry that has literally had a worldwide impact.

I do not know of a greater example of the exercise of dominion over cassette tapes. George discovered the validity of cassette tapes at a time when the Lord was allowing a resurgence of Reformed teaching through the pulpit and conference ministry in the United States. George has traveled thousands of miles to conferences to do actual taping so that Biblical teaching could be shared with a wider audience. Numerous people have also sent him tapes.

George’s wife Gracie is affectionately known as “Mrs. Mt. Olive Tape Library.” She is a faithful prayer warrior and an avid reader of Reformed literature. She has been a Biblical helpmate in the midst of George’s many travels on behalf of the library. She cooked many meals for seminary students who were in Mt. Olive helping George organize the tapes and get the library established. Visitors to the library often find themselves invited to Gracie’s table for continued fellowship with George and Gracie over a hot meal.

Although interest in Reformed theology is growing at the grass roots, a multitude of Christians have no local church in which Biblical instruction can be heard. Many such people have regularly found the Mt. Olive inventory to be a spiritual gold mine. within the Library’s resources, listeners have found expositions of numerous books of Scripture, topical studies, an in-depth study of Pilgrim’s Progress, as well as numerous tapes that concentrate on developing a Christian worldview.

Some seminaries have incorporated many of these tapes into their various courses. Thus future pastors are receiving training that will ultimately, by God’s grace, be passed on to the flocks they pastor.

Students at other seminaries have found the tapes to be a source of solid Biblical teaching to make up for what they are not receiving in the classroom. in addition to the material listed above, interested students can find excellent material on the validity of God’s law for today, apologetics. Biblical counseling and sound Biblical exposition.

Listening to tapes is an ideal way to redeem the time during the daily commute to and from work or school. I know of at least one chaplain who eagerly uses these tapes in his ministry to sailors during their sea duty. God’s word is not bound. Tapes are ordered and received by prisoners throughout the U.S. God alone knows the extent of the tape ministry with in as well as outside prison walls. Through George’s efforts Reformed tape libraries have been established in prisons and churches in and outside the United States.

Visitors from America and overseas regularly find their way to this small southern Mississippi town due to the impact of the Tape Library in Their lives. If George is there, he is most happy to give them a tour of the library building which also includes a small bookstore containing quality material.

The library’s proximity to Reformed Theological Seminary allowed George to personally meet some excellent Reformed scholars in their visits to the Seminary in the early 70s It was there that George met Dr. Van Til and Dr. Rushdoony. He realized their teaching was much needed by the current and future generations. Their tapes were readily incorporated into the library.

The library can be easily utilized. Although almost thirty years have passed since its beginning, tapes may still be rented for twenty-five cents each. Twelve tapes may be rented at a time. The renter can keep the tapes for thirty days, and then mail them back. Individual tapes can be purchased at a cost of $2.50. Tapes may he shared with others by means of a group Bible study or through personal contact.

The Library can be contacted at the following address: P.O. Box 422, Mt. Olive, MS. 39119.