|
| Christian news worldwide |
 Home |
 Archives |
 Subscriptions |
 Adverts |
 Find a church |
 About us |
 Contact us |
 Site Map |
 PrintableVersion Mervyn Barter, 1934-2007ObituaryMervyn Barter was ‘God’s gentleman’. All who knew him loved him and he was outstanding for his courtesy, graciousness and kindness. I had the privilege of being his pastor for many years and enjoyed his continuing friendship when that local church relationship ended. He died on March 19 at his home in Fernhurst, near Haslemere, in Surrey, having moved there from Edinburgh with his wife Penny to be closer to their family. Not long after settling into their new home he was found to have cancer and for many months underwent different courses of treatment. A few weeks ago we had shared in an email Job 23.10: ‘But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.’ He replied, ‘Job 23.10 is a most encouraging verse and has been a favourite of mine over the last year or so. I just hope the LORD will enable me to maintain my faith so that through my present testing it will not fail and that when it is over I may come forth as gold.’ His desire was fulfilled. Just as fierce winds reveal the depth and strength of a tree’s roots, so the winds of suffering demonstrated how firmly Mervyn’s faith was rooted in his Lord and Saviour. He will be especially remembered by innumerable ministers who attended the Banner of Truth Conferences, especially at Leicester, where he delighted to man the bookstall, with generous offers of books at discounted rates. The church fellowship at Charlotte Chapel, Edin-burgh, and, more recently, the church at Milland, will remember his beneficial influence and fellowship. Banner of TruthMervyn trained as an accountant before his national service and worked for Cow & Gate. In 1972 he accepted a call to become General Manager of the Banner of Truth Trust when it established itself in Edinburgh. While he used well his training as an accountant in that capacity, he found even greater delight in his involvement in the annual Ministers’ Conferences and the development of the Banner’s Book Fund, which has been such an encouragement to ministers and missionaries all over the world. The development and stability of the work of the Banner of Truth owes much to the good foundations that he established. After his retirement he made his financial expertise freely available to Rutherford House and to TELit (the Thematic Evangelistic Literature Trust). A BarnabasAs a member of a church fellowship, Mervyn was invaluable. He stands out as a Barnabas, one who always encouraged others. It was impossible to talk with him without feeling his warmth and concern for people and his love for our Lord Jesus Christ. He and Penny opened their home to people of all ages, and especially those who needed encouragement. Young men were exposed to good books through Mervyn’s generous gifts. New Christians who had not had the benefit of a Christian home witnessed in Mervyn and Penny’s home the vital place of prayer and the reading of the Scriptures. Mervyn is survived by his wife Penny and their four children — Karen, Jonathan, Antony and Tamsin. Both they and all of us who knew and loved Mervyn will prove the truth of Proverbs 10.7: ‘The memory of the righteous will be a blessing.’ Derek Prime,
|
|
