About Us - Rushworth Literature

Rushworth Enterprise

2 Dimple Lane, Crich, nr. Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5BQ,
Tel & Fax: (44) -01-773-857-313 or -856-062
E-mail :david@rushworth-smith.com

In August 1950, David Rushworth-Smith was in Eastern Europe, visiting some of those he had rescued from starvation at the close of the Second World War. At that time, Eastern Europe was still recovering from the chaos and rubble of complete devastation. The people were just beginning to see a little hope ahead. Whilst there, one Sunday morning, David joined the congregation of Dr Otto Dibelius, at the Marien Kirche, in (what was then) Marxist East Berlin.

The Marien Kirche was the only large church to escape serious damage from air raids and could seat 1,600 worshippers on backless forms. In those days, the Communist Youth allowed the congregation to enter and exit only by the main door, so that they could observe those attending. David noticed that the pastor had made this rule into a blessing by converting the whole lobby into a busy Bookshop, with piles of free literature. During the crowded worship, David thought about this use of the entrance. When he walked back through it, he had a vision about his future. From that moment, he knew that literature would form an important role during the rest of his life. He had discovered that he could preach about the Saviour, by means of the printed page. So, we began as a vision, in a church porch, in Berlin in 1950!

Following that experience, David returned to college in order to study theology, as well as receive training in publishing, bookselling, typing, accountancy, and printing. In October 1953, our first publication was printed. With a family to support, and a church to pastor, David was going to be busy! How could he also supply literature to pastors overseas? What has happened since 1953 shows us what can happen when someone follows a true vision. Not only has The Rushworth Enterprise achieved its aims, by sending huge quantities of study books to those who need them, without making appeals for money, but it has also sent out over half-a-million new and used Bibles. This has enabled large numbers of pastors, who could not afford to buy books (or attend college), to become better educated. As well as that, many congregations have been revived and others have been founded. Also, we have supplied libraries to new colleges, and to prisons - with astonishing results.