In Memory of George R French January 19, 1936 - November 18, 2014 George Robb French was born in Pasadena, California on January 19, 1936. He quickly and gently passed away November 18, 2014, after a major stroke. He received a B.A. Degree in religion from Central Wesleyan College in 1958. While attending Central, he pastored the Seneca Wesleyan church for two years. He received a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1961, and a Master of Christian Education from Freedom University. While living in a kibbutz, he studied Hebrew and archaeology for six months in Israel. After graduation from high school, he served as S.D. Herron’s assistant pastor. After graduation from seminary, he served as a pioneer pastor for 8 years at the Mitchell Memorial Wesleyan Methodist Church in Spartanburg, S.C. He served as S.C. Conference youth director and in several other leadership capacities while pastoring. In 1965 he married Ann Ellenburg from Easley, S.C. The Frenches moved to Hobe Sound, Florida in 1969 at the request of H. Robb French and S. D. Herron to serve as FEA Business Manager and chairman of the college Ministerial Department. He also taught numerous courses, including Bible, Psychology, Philosophy, Systematic Theology, Acts and many others. In 1975 the Frenches, along with their two young daughters, spent their summer vacation in Fairbanks, Alaska, where Bob took the first team of young men, in a boat called “God’s Fishwheel”, down the Yukon River, evangelizing the Eskimos and Indians. He became president of Florida Evangelistic Association (FEA Ministries) and Chairman of the Sea Breeze camp in 1979. In 1980 he accepted the appointment as senior pastor of Hobe Sound Bible church and served until 1988. As pastor he wrote the first constitution and bylaws which are still used today. He also organized the Department of Christian Education; developed the pastoral team concept and organized the church staff; started the church bus ministry; began a local youth outreach; organized the Christian Service Department in cooperation with Hobe Sound Bible College; initiated a short-term missions outreach that was later organized into the TLC ministry. In 1988 he resigned the church to give full attention to the leadership and development of the expanding ministries of FEA. While President of FEA Ministries he wrote the first Constitution and bylaws which are still used today and led the expansion of the world missions program from the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands to 14+ other countries. He visited at least 40 countries and preached in more than half of them. Additional ministries and departments that were developed or joining FEA during his tenure included a printing operation that has served all of the ministries, opening two thrift stores to assist in funding the missions program, began Sonlight Publishing, Tract and Tape Ministry, assisted Dr. Glen Reiff in the development of the mobile chapel ministry. He also assisted Rev. Sidney Grant in the organization of the Spanish Bible Institute, assisted Jeanne Schwartz and Dorothy Hsu with the development of “Beside Still Waters, the Chinese Radio Broadcast and “Lily”, the Chinese Women’s Periodical, Initiated “Books With a Mission” in cooperation with Oceania Gospel Publishing, founded the annual International Missions Congress. Campus development under Rev. French’s leadership included development of the three canal streets, construction of the H. Robb French Memorial Tabernacle of the CEC Education complex, construction of the Harmony Place apartments, paving of the campus roads, renovation of the FEA offices, renovation of the cafeteria on two different occasions. Rev. French is survived by his wife, Ann of Hobe Sound, Fl. They have been married 49 years, just 3 months short of celebrating their 50th. Two daughters, Christinna (Eugene) Shamber, of Verona, Virginia and Ann Marie (Brian) Austin, of Madison, Wisconsin and a son, John (Kristy), of Manassas, Virginia, 6 grandchildren, 3 sisters and 3 brothers. Friends and family may call on Saturday, November 22, 2014 11:00 am at the Hobe Sound Bible Church, 11295 S.E. Gomez Ave, Hobe Sound, FL 33455. The memorial service is immediately following the visitation at 12:00 noon. Burial will be at the Forest Hill Memorial Park, 2001 SW Murphy Rd, Palm City, FL 34990. For those desiring to make a memorial donation in lieu of flowers, please consider FEA Missions. The life of G. R. French has exemplified to us A Labor of Love forever to be remembered as A Legacy of Service.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 15:36:08 +0000
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