SEARCY, Ark. (BNc) — S.F. Timmerman, a pioneer in French missions, faithful and bold preacher of the gospel, loving husband, father and brother ended his difficult battle with cancer today at noon. He was 92.

Family members were together with him at the Byrd Haven nursing home at the time of his passing.

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday at the Powell Funeral Home in Searcy. The funeral will be held at the College church on Saturday at 2:00 p.m., according to a granddaughter.

“One of our great fellow workers has passed on,” Bren White, a French-speaking missionary, wrote in an email. “We praise God for this godly man and his relentless work to spread the gospel. What a wonderful brother! What a tremendous example for us!”

“Please lift his precious family up in prayer at this time. May the God of all comfort have his mighty hand on them now,” Bren wrote.

Timmerman was a veteran missionary who inaugurated efforts in Montreal and Belgium. He and his wife Maxine arrived in Montreal in 1965 and spent 17 years there until moving to Ontario, according to the website Churches of Christ in Quebec.

Bren is a full-time missionary to the French-speaking world, based in New Market, Md., and overseen by the Castle Rock, Colo. church. He works closely with Doyle Kee and others in Operation French World in 75 countries, to get more workers trained and on to French mission field. They are starting New Testament churches in France and Quebec.

A memorial fund has been established in honor of brother Timmerman to help continue the work he initiated in the Belgian Ardennes city of Verviers. The fund will support outreach efforts in the French World Bible School program (Ecole Mondiale de la Bible).

Funds may be sent to :

Timmerman Fund
Pinson Church of Christ
P O Box 160
Pinson, TN 38336

Until he moves in a month, Don Taylor may be reached for more information at this telephone: 731-934-7281

TESTIMONIES RECEIVED

“I share this moment of sorrow with you but I however think it’s a great blessing for you to have enjoyed the presence of such noble and devout man for such a longtime. Let’s rather give thanks to God for such a blessing. Let his life be a great example for us to also try and be dedicated the way he did. Like David did, let’s rejoice and prepare ourself to go and meet him one day. In fact, he ramains my inspirer for meeting him during the French World Mission in Colorado, I was touched by all that was said about him, his sacrifice and devotion are challenges to me. As one of the pioneers in the French World with the gospel, I ask myself can I also live to expectation the way he did? What shall be said about me after sevaral years of my mission here in Senegal? I know it’s very painful losing such a great man but my heart is full of joy for I know he has made the mark and the Almighty is satisfied with his service. May he rest in perfect peace in the bossom of Lord.” –Arnold Dzah,
Ghanaian preaching in Senegal

Follow BNC stories