Andy Bathgate: ‘A faithful disciple of Jesus’

Former Scripture Union (SU) Scotland CEO Andy Bathgate died on 17 October, aged 68. He leaves his wife Alyson, with whom he shared over 40 years of marriage, and his three daughters, son-in-law, and grandchildren. He died peacefully at home.

Andy was the CEO of SU Scotland from 2001 to 2020, having volunteered with SU since his teens. He was also the Scottish team leader for UCCF (Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship) and was a founding member of CVE (Christian Values in Education) Scotland, serving as its Chair from its inception in 2014 until his retirement from the role in 2022.

He served with other Christian organisations, including Edinburgh City Mission after his retirement from SU Scotland, and also Evangelical Alliance Scotland, with whom he served as a board member for many years.

Andy dedicated his life to positions in the Lord’s service. His tenure as CEO of SU Scotland was perhaps his most noteworthy and saw SU expand and reach an unprecedented number of young people in Scotland.

Duncan Cuthill, CEO of Edinburgh City Mission, said: ‘Everyone in Edinburgh City Mission – our Trustees, the team and all our volunteers who worked with him – had the deepest love and respect for Andy. We will miss his smile, his humour, his love, his humility and so much more that he was and that he brought into our lives. We are grateful for the extraordinary example that he has left of what being a faithful disciple of Jesus looks like. It was a privilege to know him. He will be greatly missed.’