The latest news from many resources for American Baptist Churches.
Georganna Mawer Passes Peacefully
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Georganna Mawer, 95, of Toledo. Ohio passed away peacefully with her family surrounding her on Sunday March 28, 2021. She entered in to the arms of Jesus on Palm Sunday.
Gigi was born in Weston, Ohio a, small rural farm town. She always kept her farm upbringing in her heart. Proceeding her in death are her siblings, Blanche Patterson, Harlan Zulch, Miriam Strohm: daughter in law Kay Mawer.
Gigi was a member of First Baptist Church of Greater Toledo, where she served in many ministries for over 70 years. After raising her children Gigi fulfilled a dream of becoming a lay pastor of American Baptist Churches. She served as president of the American Baptist Churches of Ohio, making many lifelong friends.
Gigi loved to travel. While serving the American Baptist Churches of Ohio she planned and led numerous mission trips, domestic and abroad. It was a great joy for her to share of these trips with the home churches in Ohio. Reporting to the congregations of the work of the gospel throughout the world. Bob and Gigi enjoyed traveling the world together. Known by her grandchildren as the “Traveling Grandma”.
Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband of 70 years: Robert Mawer: children: Jeff Mawer, James (Charlena) Mawer, Miriam (Thomas) Carpenter, Patricia (Matthew) Goretti;.11 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. She will be forever missed by her family.
Please keep the Mawer family in your prayers.
New Christian Education Wing Approved for FBC South Zanesville
On February 14, 2021, First Baptist Church of South Zanesville (David Nuhfer, Interim Pastor) voted unanimously to approve the addition of a Christian Education wing to the church’s facility. This came after a process of more than a year of formal and informal conversations within the leadership and church membership about the benefits of more space for classes, meetings, gatherings and childcare. The addition will include a new nursery and 4 classrooms, all of which will be equipped with audio/visual equipment and computers. Work started on March 3 (a month earlier than projected) with a “Groundbroken Ceremony” on March 14.
Read more: New Christian Education Wing Approved for FBC South Zanesville
Rev. Dr. John A. Sundquist enters Fully into the Presence of His Lord
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Rev. Dr. John A. Sundquist, who served as Executive Director of American Baptist International Ministries (IM) from 1989 until 2003, entered fully into the presence of his Lord on Sunday, February 21, from his beloved home at Bethany Beach (in Sawyer, Michigan), at the age of 84. International Ministries joins with his family, friends, disciples, and colleagues all around the globe in giving thanks to God for his life of dedicated service to the cause of Christ.
Rev. Kenneth Eugene Durtsche Goes to Meet Jesus
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Rev. Kenneth Eugene Durtsche, age 85, of Marion, met his beloved Jesus on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Heartland of Marion.
Rev. Durtsche was born on July 11, 1935 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and shortly after moved to Galion, Ohio where he was raised by Albert and Bertha Durtsche. He attended The Galion Schools graduating in 1953.
While living in Galion, Rev. Durtsche served as a Councilman and City Service Director. Wanting to continue his education and understanding of the Bible, Rev. Durtsche attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, The Baptist Bible Seminary in Johnson City, New York, Ashland Seminary, and The Methodist Theological School in Delaware, Ohio. Rev. Durtsche started his many years of service to the Lord at The Kings Creek Baptist Church in Urbana, Ohio, Pastored the Baptist Church in Morral, and faithfully served The Fairpark Community Baptist Church in Marion for more than thirty-five years.