our donors

Wilbur Adams was Chairman of the Board when they called Tom Hixson to be Executive Director in 1994. Wilbur was an apple orchard farmer from Texas, and he and Frankie were very active members of Eastmont Baptist Church. They had two daughters, Sonja and Phyllis. 

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Harry Bonner was pastor of the church they chose as their church home, Wenatchee Valley Baptist Church. He took them under his wing and treated them as if they were his children. He put them to work in the church and encouraged them to attend associational and state convention meetings. Wilbur joined the Foundation Board of Directors and served about 15 years, four of those as President.[1] Frankie served her church as a Children's and Youth Ministries Leader and later in Senior Ministries.[2]

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Wilbur and Frankie created a Charitable Remainder Unitrust with a Chelan Lake cabin to benefit their church and other ministries. The Adams gift later went on to help fund the Adams-Meeks Doctor of Ministry Scholarship Fund for seminary students pursuing doctoral degrees.

 

Tom Hixson’s connection with them:  The daughter of one of Wilbur’s superintendents on his farm, Debbie (Dale) Janz, went to school with Tom and Becky (Tom’s wife) at California Baptist College.​

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The estate of Arne and Lila contributed to the building fund at First Baptist Church Sequim, WA.

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The Carolyn M. Atkins Scholarship Fund was established to provide scholarship assistance to Christian female students pursuing four-year university degrees.

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Dr. Clint Ashley served in various capacities within the Northwest Baptist Convention, including distinguished and notable service as Director of the Pacific Northwest Campus of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary from 1992 through 2004. The Dr. Clint Ashley Pacific Northwest Campus Endowment Fund supports the Pacific Northwest Campus of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (now Gateway Seminary).

 

 

​​​​​​Millie Baker was born in Fulton, Missouri but was raised in Fremont, Nebraska. She went to college at William Jewell College and then to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where she studied Religious Education. In March of 1951 she began her journey as the Baptist Bookstore Manager in Portland, a position she held for 29 years.  Millie never married, but the Northwest Baptist Convention churches, pastors, and church members became her extended family. In 1998 she stated, “The Northwest Baptist Convention has been my life for 47 years. The people, especially those of the convention staff, have “grown me up!!” [3]

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She was a tenacious leader and loved being in the Northwest. She was a long-time member of Peninsula Baptist of Portland and then Brookwood Baptist Church in Hillsboro, OR.

 

Over the years she was a strong supporter of Mt. Baker Baptist Assembly, later called Mt. Baker Baptist Camp. She built her own cabin which she called “Baker Built” because she did much of the work herself. I think she loved being at the camp because she had a mountain named after her, Mt. Baker, one of the snowiest mountains in North American (it was not really named after her).  

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From 1981 to 2001 Millie was in charge of directing the Senior Adult Week at the camp.  She was able to attract strong Southern Baptist personalities because she wouldn’t take “I can’t make it” for an answer. The participants who came from across Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia always enjoyed the week of Bible study and fellowship.

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In 1996 Millie received the annual Heritage Award from the Northwest Baptist Historical Society.

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The Doris Switser Basey Memorial Fund was set up to fund whatever beneficial purposes the Northwest Baptist Foundation deemed necessary.

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Layuna was the sister of Frances Cavender, another donor. Layuna was born in Texas in 1917 to James and Magdalene Cromer. She passed away on May 26, 2019, at the age of 101. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas.

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She graduated from Lubbock High School and Texas Tech. After working as a map maker for the Army Air Core during World War II in Washington, DC, she moved to Irving, Texas and worked at Chance Vaught Aircraft. She met Peter Belbusti at Chance Vaught, and they married in 1954. They were married until his death in 2000.[4]

 

Layuna was a talented artist and loved her plants and flowers. The Layuna Belbusti Fund for the Pacific Northwest Campus of Gateway Seminary supports various needs at the discretion of the Campus Director.

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Mr. Bergen was born April 8, 1920, in Corn, Oklahoma to parents Isaac and Rosa (Friesen) Bergen. In 1935, his family moved to Washington and worked a year to save enough money for a down payment on a farm in Boulder, Wyoming, where they moved in 1936.

Mr. Bergen was in the Army Infantry during World War II, serving in New Guinea, the Philippines, and occupied Japan. He returned home to Wyoming in the fall of 1945. In March 1946, he and his family moved to Culver, where he farmed with his father and brother, and brother-in-law. He also managed Round Butte Seed Growers in Culver for a period of time and was involved in building the fertilizer plant there.
 

On November 7, 1952, he married Edith Franklin in Dallas, Texas. She preceded him in death.
 

In 1972 he obtained his Real Estate license and later his broker's license and started his own firm, Ron Bergen Realty. He eventually bought the State Center Realty building and partnered with Jim Waldorf. 

He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Madras for over 50 years and helped in many missions of the church.
 

In 1991, he married Jeanne Dodson of Madras. They enjoyed going to Yuma, Arizona for the winter months.

 

The Bergen Scholarship Endowment Fund was set up to offer scholarships for students at the Pacific Northwest Campus of Gateway Seminary. The Bergens also set up an additional fund called the Ron and Edith Bergen Memorial Trust Fund to provide funds for First Baptist Church of Madras, the Northwest Baptist Foundation, and the Juniper Baptist Association.
 

Tom Hixson's connection with Ron:  My father and Ron were in the same 33rd Army Infantry from Oklahoma during World War II. They both served in New Guinea, the Philippines, and occupied Japan.

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The Chuck Borstad Memorial Fund sends funds annually to Meals on Wheels, Teach One to Lead One, and Hockinson Public Schools Foundation.

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The Alfred and Frances Bower Memorial Fund was established to benefit East Kelso Baptist Church.

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C. Ervin Boyle was born in 1911 and raised in a Christian family in Tacoma, Washington. He attended Washington State College in Pullman but finished his degree at Seattle Pacific College with a major in Bible. He met Lucille at a Baptist Young People’s Union (BYPU) at the First Baptist Church in Tacoma before he continued his studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas.

 

The Boyles returned to the Northwest after he pastored in Wyoming when he became pastor at Bethel Baptist Church in Yakima, Washington, an independent Baptist church. After some new work in Olympia and Spokane in 1950, he started work at the Convention in Portland, Oregon. This included being the editor of the Pacific Coast Baptist paper, now the Northwest Baptist Witness. 

 

In "Northwest Southern Baptists" C.E. wrote, “I view with awe the miracles GOD has worked in my life. He gave me a wife who has always been one with me in the pursuit of GOD’s call in our lives. He gave me an education, clothed, and fed me when I literally had no money. He gave me opportunities to serve beyond my fondest desire.”  

 

In 1987, the Executive Board of the Convention recognized C. Ervin Boyle as Editor Emeritus for his 19 years of continued dedication to the Northwest Baptist Convention.  After his death in 1992, Lucille continued to serve by working with the library of the Northwest Campus of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary.[5] She rode the local transit bus from Portland to Vancouver on a daily basis.

 

The Clifford and Lucille Boyle Memorial Fund was set up to benefit the Pacific Northwest Campus of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (now Gateway Seminary) for the library, the Northwest Baptist Foundation, and the Northwest Baptist Historical Society.

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For forty-four years, Lee served as pastor of churches in the Northwest. At his side, Frances served faithfully, including by teaching school to enable Lee to work full-time in ministry.

 

After graduating from college, he pastored three churches in Texas. The Brocks, under the Lord’s guidance, headed West, arriving at Camas, Washington, in June 1952. There Lee helped start the Lacamas Heights Baptist Church. Lee moved on to pastor other churches at Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Williams Lake, British Columbia; The Dalles, Oregon; and Goldendale, Washington.

 

During the years of his ministry, Lee was diligent in the work of the local Baptist associations. He served on countless committees and in many association offices. He served at least two terms as a member of the Convention’s Executive Board. 

 

In 1996, the Brocks received the annual Heritage Award of the Northwest Baptist Historical Society.[6]

 

The Ivan Lee and Della Francis Brock Memorial Fund was set up to benefit the Northwest Baptist Foundation.          

     

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The Levin and Gertrude Brann Memorial Scholarship Fund benefits Northwest Baptist students applying for scholarships.

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Cecil was a native Oregonian from Benton County. In 1930 at First Baptist Church of Klamath Falls, Oregon, he made a public decision for Christ and answered the call to go into the ministry. R.E. Milam stated, “C.C. Brown’s leadership was indispensable.... He led the First Baptist Church of Madras, OR to affiliate with Southern Baptists. He also assisted the FBC of Klamath Falls to affiliate with Southern Baptists. Later he pastored in California for many years before retiring to his native Oregon." [7]

 

The Cecil Brown Memorial Scholarship was set up provide scholarship for students attending the Pacific Northwest Campus of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary.

 

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What a fine servant of the LORD and couple. Only the Lord knows the countless hundreds of people who are benefiting and will benefit from Ron’s work as an attorney. The Ron and Wilda Bryant Highland Baptist Church Endowment Fund contributes funds to Highland Baptist Church in Redmond, Oregon.

 

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The Buoy Scholarship Endowment Fund was created to provide financial support for boys attending the Interstate Baptist Association Summer Camp.

 

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The Fannie K. Burkett Revocable Trust was set up to benefit the Cooperative Program of the Northwest Baptist Convention.

 

Tom Hixson's connection: Becky and I went to California Baptist College with a family member of Fannie (Bill’s younger brother).

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Tom and Frances ran a nursery in Bingen, Washington in the Columbia River Gorge.  Tom came out to the Northwest from Texas as a BSU (Baptist Student Union) summer missionary and fell in love with the Northwest. The Samuel (Tom) and Frances Cavender Memorial Fund benefits the Northwest Baptist Convention for Baptist student ministries and church development in the Northwest.

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The Archer C. and Mary J. Curtis Memorial Fund distributed funds to First Baptist Church, Waldport, Oregon; South County Senior Center in Waldport; and the Northwest Baptist Foundation.

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The Jean K. Derby Memorial Fund was set up to send financial gifts to Brookwood Baptist Church, Hillsboro, Oregon; Mt. Baker Baptist Association; the Northwest Baptist Convention; and the Northwest Baptist Foundation.

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The Allen and Vallie Deshong Memorial Fund was established to benefit First Baptist Church of Sequim, Washington and the Northwest Baptist Foundation.

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Mrs. Eickman was from Hermiston, Oregon. She was active in Grace Baptist Church.  She didn’t have children to leave her estate to, so she left everything to Southern Baptist causes. 

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Tom Hixson's connection: Two memories that I have including meeting Mrs. Eickman for lunch at the local KFC-A&W. I learned over the years that she was a regular customer several days a week, so I would adjust my schedule to arrive in time to take her. In fact, the KFC-A&W restaurant named her the customer of the month and year because she was such a regular.

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My second memory is when she asked me to help her review her will, and she went into the kitchen and brought out an ice-cold document for me to review. She said, “I keep it in the freezer since it's insulated!”

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The Laura Eickman Memorial Fund distributed money to the International Mission Board and the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention.

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Pete grew up on a cattle, horse, and wheat ranch in a Mennonite community outside Frazer, Montana. He attended Northwestern Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas; and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth. He served in various roles at churches in Texas, South Dakota, and eventually Portland, Oregon. He was married to his wife Naomi for more than 60 years. He and Naomi took 18 mission groups around the world and conducted more than 600 revival meetings in the Northwest. The Pete and Naomi Fast Memorial Fund distributed its income to the Pacific Northwest Campus of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. 

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The Felon Golden Memorial Fund benefitted the Pearl Buck Center for Handicapped Children, the Northwest Baptist Foundation Scholarship Fund for students attending seminary, and the Northwest Baptist Foundation New Church-Missions Fund.​

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Gary Hansen gives faithfully to Northwest Baptist Foundation’s Pastor Assistance Fund. This Fund helps pastors and their families when facing emergency needs, such as high medical bills. 

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Miss Hart was introduced to Tom Hixon by John James, a financial advisor and member of the Foundation Board. She was single and had no heirs. She grew up back east and had a wonderful Dutch-type accent. She was not a Southern Baptist but was a member of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches (GARBC) and her denomination did not have an organization like the Foundation to help people leave gifts for their churches. Meeting her began many years of making stops in Des Moines, Washington to visit with her and assist in her personal financial affairs. She was a delightful lady to get to know. The Pauline Hart Memorial Fund distributed its income to the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches in Schaumburg, Illinois.

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The Hope Henderson Memorial Fund was donated to the Northwest Baptist Foundation for its general purposes.

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Jim was a Director of Missions for the Siskiyou and Douglas Associations. Jim and his wife Lera were very active in the Senior Adult Ministries of the Northwest Baptist Convention.[8] They lived in either Newberg or McMinnville, Oregon. Later they moved to a retirement home in Vancouver, Washington to be near a daughter. The James and Lera Hildabrand Memorial Fund benefitted the Northwest Baptist Foundation.

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Harold came to the Northwest from Texas where he grew up. He first pastored in Baker, Oregon then at FBC in Bothell, Washington, then he became the first Language Missions Director for the NW Baptist Convention from 1968-1998. Cecil Sims wrote, “His compassion and concern made him very effective in his work with ethnic families. His humble spirit endeared him to the ethnic congregations.”[9] 

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Tom Hixson’s connection with Harold:  First, I met Harold in 1976 when I served as a summer missionary for the Northwest Baptist Convention. He was very engaging and inspiring about the work among ethnic groups. My second connection was when I went to visit Harold in the hospital after he had had an accident while working on his church’s building project, Oregon City Baptist Church. After visiting with Harold for a brief time and seeing his injuries, I became light-headed and needed some fresh air. So I headed for the elevator, the doors opened, and I passed out in front of his 3 daughters, his wife Ellen, and his pastor. I came to and Harold’s pastor was holding my hand while I was on the floor! A lovely way to support the whole family.

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Harold Hitt left funds to go toward scholarships for students attending the Pacific Northwest Campus of Gateway Seminary.

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The Hoods came to the Northwest after serving as pastor of the FBC in Texas City, Texas for 18 years. Roland first served in the Northwest as an Associational Missionary in 1948. Later he became the Director of Missions for the Baptist General Convention of Oregon. In 1966 he was elected Executive Secretary of the Baptist General Convention of Oregon-Washington and retired in 1972.

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Under Hood’s leadership, the Baptist General Convention enjoyed a period of transition, growth, development, and maturity. 

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Rhoda also found her place of service in the Northwest. In 1949, she became the Executive Secretary for Oregon-Washington WMU (Women’s Missionary Union). She led the pioneer efforts of missions education among the churches and helped them organize for future growth. In "Northwest Southern Baptists," Roy Johnson said, “Giant steps forward were made during her years of service. She was wrapped up, body and soul, in the work of Southern Baptist in the Northwest.” She retired in 1961.[10]

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The Northwest Baptist Historical Society honored the Hoods with a Heritage Award in 1991. The Rhoda D. Hood Woman’s Missionary Union Memorial Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to women in college or seminary who intend to pursue a future in mission work.

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Donn Hosford lives in Vancouver, Washington and stops by the Foundation office occasionally with donations for our Special Purpose Fund.

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The Susan Huddleston Memorial Fund distributed funds to the Northwest Baptist Foundation general fund.

 

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Tom Hixson’s connection: At the time I met with Paul, his wife either was in a convalescent home or had just passed away. He was from Puyallup, Washington. They had created a revocable living trust, and he asked if the Foundation would serve as his successor trustee and manage their affairs when he was unable. The Paul and Juanita Hunt Memorial Fund benefited South Hill Baptist Church of Puyallup and the Northwest Baptist Foundation.

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The Hydes sold their farm in Friona, Texas and started the Foundation’s Church Loan Fund. The value of the gift exceeded $150,000. Both their son Omer and their daughter, Eva Hyde Kimbrough, worked in churches in the Northwest. It has been said, “The Hyde’s unselfish gift gave a spark that ignited other gifts to the Foundation.” Omer Hyde wrote about the gift in his book "Homer and Omer Hyde: The Roots of the Hyde Fund Gift to the Northwest Baptist Foundation," which was published in 1997.[11] The fund their gift created would go on to be called the Hyde Church Loan Fund.  ​​​

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Rosalie Johnson was from Sweet Home, Oregon. The Rosalie Johnson Memorial Fund benefited the Northwest Baptist Foundation.

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Roy Johnson served as pastor in Texas for 35 years before he came to the Northwest.  He came in 1959 as the first Superintendent of the Metropolitan Missions for Portland and Vancouver. He held that position until his retirement in 1967. He was the author of several books including "Northwest Southern Baptists," a twenty-year history book that he published in 1968.   

 

Dr. Johnson continued to be active in Lincoln Street Baptist Church and the Northwest Baptist Convention until his death in 1995.[12]

 

Tom’s connection: Dr. Johnson was one of those larger-than-life figures of Northwest Baptist Convention lore. I remember meeting him when I was a summer missionary for the Convention in 1976. Almost 30 years later when I came to the Northwest, he was one of the first individuals that I helped care for through the Foundation. Dr. Johnson always wore a dress shirt and tie, even during his years in the retirement home.

 

The Johnson Missionary Housing Fund helps with missionary residential housing expenses.

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Tom Hixson's connection: Betty Locke and I attended the same church in Vancouver, Washington, Northside Baptist Church. She heard me speak about estate planning at the church on several occasions and finally made an appointment for me to come and visit with her. She had a small estate and wanted to leave it to Baptist causes when she was gone. Her wishes were carried out by the Foundation.

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The Dennis and Merle Lodien Memorial Fund distributed funds to the Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board).

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Keith and Sharon Lubbers were long-time Northwest Baptists and worked in several of the churches in the Portland area. Sharon ran her own floral shop, The Rose of Sharon, for many years. Keith assisted with deliveries. They were active members at Northside Baptist Church and Trinity Baptist Church in Vancouver.

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The Lystra Memorial Fund distributed gifts to the following non-profits: American Bible Society, American Sunday School Union, American Legion, Disabled Veterans National Foundation, Meals on Wheels People, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Salvation Army, Teach One to Lead One, Gideons International, and Wycliffe Associates.

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Ira and Alda Magie were members of Trinity Baptist Church of Springfield, Oregon. They created a charitable trust with the Foundation. The Ira and Alda Magie Memorial Fund distributed funds to the Northwest Baptist Convention, the Northwest Baptist Foundation, and the Southern Baptist Convention.

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Mr. Mayo was born Sept. 9, 1923, in Dill, Oklahoma and grew up in the Dill and Cloud Chief area. In 1942 his family moved to Amarillo, Texas, where he graduated from high school. After World War II he worked as a supply sergeant for the Amarillo National Guard Unit. He later moved to San Diego and went to work for Hughes Aircraft. In 1955 he and his wife moved to the Kent, Washington area, and he went to work for Boeing as a plane parts assembler. He retired from the company in 1983. He helped start three churches, including Sequoia Baptist church in Kent. He served as a church deacon and was a longtime church librarian. The Mayo Memorial Fund distributes funds to the Northwest Baptist Foundation.

 

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The Meeks Memorial Fund distributed funds to Capital Baptist Church in Salem, Oregon; the Northwest Baptist Convention; and the Northwest Baptist Foundation. The funds distributed to the Foundation were used to set up a scholarship fund for students pursuing Doctor of Ministry degrees.

 

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Floyd and Betty Merrill were in the Northwest since the 1950s. Floyd served in many different positions for the Northwest Baptist Convention. He was the Convention President during the mid-1960s and the preacher at the annual convention in 1974.[13]  His son-in-law, Steve Langston, was the Convention’s Business Manager for three decades.[14]

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Tom Hixon's connection to the Merrills: The Merrills were good friends with my parents when they lived in Stillwater, Oklahoma and attended the same church.

 

The Floyd and Betty Merrill Memorial Trust sends funds to the Northwest Baptist Convention yearly to go towards “new work” around the Convention.

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Mildred worked at Concordia University in Portland, Oregon until she retired. She was a good friend of Millie Baker’s since they were both from Missouri. She was an active member of Metropolitan Baptist Church when Bill Crews was the Pastor. Later she joined Chehalem Valley Baptist Church in Newberg.

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Mildred created the first charitable trust with the Northwest Baptist Foundation. She gave her parent's farm to the trust, and the Foundation sold the farm, invested the proceeds, and paid Mildred a steady stream of income for close to 30 years.

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Mildred had a great relationship with the Foundation staff, especially Karla Inman. They grew very close during Mildred’s retirement years. She also had a special place in her heart for Becky Hixson, Tom’s wife. She would remind Tom often, “I like you a lot, Tom, but I love Becky!” The Mildred McGlothlin Memorial Fund distributed funds to Concordia University, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Hannibal Lagrange College, and the Northwest Baptist Foundation.

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Carl Edward Miley was born on September 15, 1954, and adopted by Harold and Anna Miley. Carl grew up in Portland, Oregon and graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in 1973. Like his father, Carl joined the Army and attained the rank of Staff Sargeant. Carl attended Mill Park Baptist Church and later Metropolitan Baptist Church. As with his high school classmates, Carl would maintain connections with some former church members and leaders throughout his life.

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In the early 1980s, Carl began working in the downtown Portland hub of the US Postal Service. According to coworkers, Carl was a diligent and hard worker. After retirement, he remained involved with the Postal Mail Handlers Union and attended monthly breakfasts with other postal workers. Carl was also a proud member of the Portland Skyliners Tall Club.

 

Carl kept up correspondence with a wide circle of people. Anyone who talked to Carl discovered quickly that he was an avid fan of classic television shows, films, and rock music, as well as a student of history. Some of Carl’s TV favorites were Leave It To Beaver, Hogan’s Heroes, and Gilligan’s Island.

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Carl faced many challenges, and he responded by looking for ways to build community and connect with others. He left money to the Northwest Baptist Foundation to benefit ministry work.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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The Betty E. Miller Memorial Fund distributed funds to Shepherds, Port Angeles Salvation Army, Radio Bible Class, the Northwest Baptist Foundation, and First Baptist Church of Sequim, Washington.

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Mr. Moseley served as pastor of Richland Baptist Church in Richland, Washington. He became Executive Director of the Convention in 1962 and served in the position for 2 years. After his tenure at the Convention, Moseley was called to be in a leadership position with the SBC’s Home Mission Board. His love for the Northwest never wavered, and in his retirement years, he relocated to Eugene, Oregon.[15]

 

Tom’s connection: Dr. Moseley told me that he had left money to the Northwest Baptist Foundation to manage for Baptist causes. He said, “Tom I want to be giving to the Lord’s work 100 years from today!” I thought that was fantastic and forward-thinking. He was attending the Northwest Baptist Convention in 1995 when he had a heart attack; he passed away in February of 1996.

 

The Gay Lord and Fred Baker Moseley Church Loan Fund distributed funds to the Northwest Baptist Foundation, the Northwest Baptist Convention, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Mississippi College, First Baptist Church of Lucedale, Mississippi, and Trinity Baptist Church of Springfield, Oregon.

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The Jason R. Ogan Scholarship Fund was set up to distribute funds to students pursuing a fine arts degree. This memorial scholarship was created by Dennis and Terri Ogan in memory of their son Jason. 

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​The Pat Owen Memorial Fund distributed funds to Soaring Eagle and to St. Labre Indian School Educational Association.

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Bill and Alice came to the Northwest after he had served in World War II and completed college and seminary. He pastored several churches in Missouri before he felt called to go to the Northwest to help in Baptist work. The mission assignment he was given was to start a new church in Pullman, Washington, the home of Washington State University.  Bill was able to help the church relate to both the town and the needs of the students.

 

In 1972, Bill accepted the call to be the Area Director of Missions of the Inland Empire and Lewis-Clark Associations. In 1977, the Northwest Baptist Convention invited Bill to move to Portland as the Bold Mission Thrust Director. Bill also served in several other positions due to his excellent administrative abilities.

 

In 1985 Bill became the Director of the Northwest Center of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. Perhaps his greatest contribution in the Northwest came during the years he served there. He was an excellent role model for ministerial students, and he counseled them diligently.[16]

 

The Bill and Alice Peters Pacific Northwest Campus Endowment Fund was set up to distribute funds to the Pacific Northwest Campus of Gateway Seminary.

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Dr. and Mrs. Powell were strong church members from Chestnut Street Baptist Church in Ellensburg, Washington. Dr. Powell was very outspoken concerning life issues, whether they be abortion or end-of-life decisions. He practiced medicine in Ellensburg for several decades. Dr. Powell and Joyce were active participants in Senior Adult Ministries of the Convention after he retired. Tom Hixon always enjoyed visiting with them in their home in Ellensburg. The James and Joyce Powell Fund distributed funds to Chestnut Street Baptist Church. 

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The Joseph L. Pyles Memorial Fund distributed funds to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Foreign Mission Board, and the Southern Baptist Convention.

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The Ruth M. Riefenberg Memorial Fund distributed funds to Community Baptist Church of Bellingham, Washington and the Conservative Baptist Convention of Washington.

 

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The Rileys were from Yelm, Washington. Oliver pastored in the Myrtlewood Baptist Association in Oregon before they retired. They lived in a modest mobile home. Mrs. Riley was bedridden for many years due to illness and was homebound for many years. The Oliver D. and Oleta L. Riley Memorial Fund distributed funds to the Northwest Baptist Foundation.

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The Charlsie M. Rippee Scholarship Fund distributed funds to provide financial support for Pacific Northwest residents attending various institutions of higher education.

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The Martin and Meredith Roe Memorial Fund distributed funds to Oregon City Baptist Church in Oregon City.

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Dr. Harvey Roys was a dermatologist and bi-vocational pastor in the Seattle area. His parents were missionaries in China. He served as pastor of Lake Washington, Inglemoor, and Brooklyn Ave. Baptist Churches. He also assisted in the beginning of FBC of Bothell, Queensgate Baptist Church, Mercer Island Baptist Church, and Meadowdale Baptist Church.

 

He served as the Convention’s Brotherhood president for 3 years, worked on the Mt. Baker Assembly Committee, and served as the Northwest trustee on the Board of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.[17]

 

Cecil Sims noted that “he was humble and served sacrificially in whatever opportunity the Lord presented to him.”

 

The Roys Memorial Fund distributed funds to the Northwest Baptist Foundation.

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The Catherine Schneider Fund distributed funds to the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Catherine Schneider dedication in writing to and praying for missionaries has been remembered through another fund named in her honor that continues to benefit the International Mission Board. 

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The Andrew D. and Doris A. Seago Memorial Fund distributed funds to the Northwest Baptist Foundation.​

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Tom Hixson’s connection: Nick was a widower and had no relatives to leave his estate to, so Clint Overall talked with him about creating a Legacy Fund. That would allow him to support Baptist causes and other causes. He chose to provide support for the Northwest Campus of Gateway Seminary; his church, FBC of Beverly Park, Washington; the Adopt-an-Annuitant program of Guidestone Financial Services; Highline Community Hospital; and Seattle’s Children’s Hospital. I was always honored to send the checks out to these ministries and hospitals on Nick’s behalf.

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Tom’ Hixson's connection: I met Dorothy after her husband Cecil had passed away. The Slaughters had met Cecil Sims, the former Executive Director of the Northwest Baptist Convention, sometime back. He asked if I would meet with Dorothy and see if the Foundation could assist her. She and Cecil had previously created a pour-over will and living trust. The Slaughters lived in a remote city in the coast range, Siletz, Oregon. Over the course of many years, the Foundation assisted Dorothy with her wishes and took care of her estate after she had passed away.

 

Dorothy was a painter. Displayed in their home were 20-plus of her paintings. The Slaughter Fund distributed funds to Oregon Health Sciences Foundation.

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The Saundra Smith Memorial Fund distributes funds toward a scholarship for women to participate in evangelistic overseas mission trips.

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The Sowell Missionary Scholarship Fund distributed funds to provide scholarships for seminary students who have served as North American or international missionaries (such as through the North American or the International Mission Boards of the Southern Baptist Convention); seminary students who intend to enter vocational work on the mission field upon completion of their studies; and/or seminary students who are enrolled in or have completed elective coursework related to missions.

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The Elmer H. and Helen L. Staats Memorial Fund distributed funds to the Northwest Baptist Convention.

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Tom Hixson's connection: As I look at a list of donors, there are some people where you just say, “I thank my GOD in all my remembrance of you.” Philippians 1:3 NASB. The Staats are one of those couples that bring tears of joy for their friendship even today.  They were so supportive of me in all of my years at the Foundation. If I let them know that I was coming through Salem, they would invite me to have dinner with them. They were so kind and gracious to me and made me feel right at home. After Dr. Staat passed away, I had the pleasure of assisting Miriam through the financial hurdles of being the head of the house and the various decisions that she had to make.   

 

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Dr. Robert Stapp served as pastor of one church in California from 1949 to 1963. Then at the request of Fred Moseley, he came to the Northwest to be the Baptist Student Director at the University of Washington from 1963 to 1998. He also pastored 3 churches in Washington and Oregon. He served as Vice President of the Foundation in its early years and was a respected leader in the Northwest.[18] 

 

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Lewis Steed was one of the very early pioneers of Southern Baptist work in the Northwest. He was called from Texas in 1950 and began serving at the First Baptist Church in Renton, Washington. At the time this was an American Baptist Church, but after meeting with Dr. R.E. Milam, the church voted to become a part of the young Oregon-Washington Baptist General Convention. The church later became Calvary Baptist Church. Lewis had to leave the church because he was called up to active duty in the Army Reserves. Lewis was asked to return to the Northwest and pastor a church in Spokane, Washington, and later he joined the staff of the Northwest Baptist Convention as the Director of Evangelism.[19]

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The Lewis Steed Memorial Fund distributed funds to the Northwest Baptist Foundation to be used to promote the gospel in the Northwest.

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The Herbert A. and Rowena M. Swift Memorial Fund distributed funds to College Heights Baptist Church, Grants Pass, Oregon.

 

 

The Floyd and Esther Van Horn Scholarship Fund distributes funds to First Baptist Church Longview’s Scholarship Fund.     

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The Robert Colman Waddle Memorial Fund distributed funds to Vine Street Baptist Church in Roseburg, Oregon.

 

 

The Ruth A. Waitt Memorial Fund distributed funds to Alder Street Baptist Church of Centralia, Washington.

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Bill and Lu Walker became “Baptists of the Northwest” in the summer of 1958, following Bill's graduation from college. His first job was with Boeing in Seattle. They became members at FBC Beverly Park. Shortly thereafter, Bill secured a job with Tektronix in Beaverton, Oregon. Bill and Lu found one Baptist church in the telephone book and decided to take the family there. It was the FBC of Beaverton, Oregon. This church became their home, and they met good friends their age, Ron and Wilda Bryant, while Ron was working on his law degree.

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Lu worked to promote WMU in the church and association. She was President of Northwest Baptist WMU from 1975 to 1980 and served on the national WMU Board. She later served on the Executive Board of the Northwest Baptist Convention for 5 years and served on the Northwest Baptist Foundation Scholarship Committee. During the 1980s she served as a trustee on the Home Mission Board, and in the 1990s she served as trustee for Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

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Bill was able to participate in Southern Baptist work through his roles in the Northwest Baptist Foundation and the Northwest Historical Society, as a trustee for the Brotherhood Commission, and as trustee for Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary.

 

They wrote in "Northwest Southern Baptists," “We feel fortunate and blessed to have enjoyed the fellowship and goodwill that pervades the Northwest Baptist Convention, and look with amazement at what the LORD has done through a loving spirit of cooperation in this great land.”[20]

 

The William D. and Lu Walker Memorial fund distributed funds to the Pacific Northwest Campus of Golden Gate Seminary, First Baptist Church in Beaverton, Oregon, and the Women’s Missionary Union Foundation.

     

 

Lillian Walker was another client of John James. He was her financial advisor. She asked the Foundation to assist with her desire to benefit specific ministries that had been meaningful in her life. She lived in Tacoma, Washington.

 

The Lillian M. Walker Memorial fund distributed funds to Focus on the Family and Through the Bible Radio.

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Tom Hixson's connection: Robert West is one of those individuals I never met. However, he asked the Northwest Baptist Foundation to work with his family, and we did for the next 20 years. My entire time as President was spent managing his trust which benefited his daughter. John James was Mr. West’s financial advisor and also a Board Member of the Foundation, so he recommended the Foundation to Mr. West. Mr. West was very wise in his money management and assisted his daughter in her money management, as well. I have used his example of wise money management in numerous estate planning seminars that I have done. 

 

The Robert W. West Memorial Fund distributed funds to First Baptist Church, Bothell, Washington.

 

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The Marie A. Wheatley Memorial Fund distributed funds to the Northwest Baptist Foundation to be used for scholarships for Northwest students.

 

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The Clarence W. Widener Memorial Fund distributed funds to the Northwest Baptist Foundation.

 

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Jerry Wittenmyer served in churches in California, Washington, and Canada. He was the Associational Missionary for the Capilano Baptist Association in Canada and the Mt. Baker Baptist Association in Washington.

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Osa Marie was very active with Vacation Bible School and led numerous sessions on teaching the material to children, along with Mille Burkett. She also assisted Millie Baker with Senior Adult Camp every year by providing music for the week.

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Jerry and Osa Marie retired to Seattle. After a few years, they relocated to Springhill, Florida to be near their daughter due to some health issues both of them were experiencing.

 

The Wittenmyer Scholarship Endowment Fund distributed funds to the Northwest Baptist Foundation for the scholarship program. The Wittenmyers also contributed to the Northwest Baptist Convention’s Children’s Ministry Endowment Fund.

 

 

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[1] Northwest Southern Baptists, 1884 – 1998, Northwest Baptist Historical Society of the Northwest Baptist Convention, 1998, Pgs. 269-270.

 

[2] Frankie Adams Obituary, April 3, 2016.

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[3] Northwest Southern Baptists, 1884 – 1998, Northwest Baptist Historical Society of the Northwest Baptist Convention, 1998, Pgs.147 - 149.

 

[4] Layuna Belbusti Obituary, May 25, 2019.

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[5] Northwest Southern Baptists, 1884 – 1998, Northwest Baptist Historical Society of the Northwest Baptist Convention, 1998, Pgs. 138-140.

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[6] Ibid, pg. 176.

 

[7] Ibid, pgs. 114 – 115.

 

[8] Ibid, Pg. 243.

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[9] Ibid, Pgs. 223-224.

 

[10] Ibid, Pgs. 172-173.

 

[11] Ibid, Pgs. 189-190, 232.

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[12] Ibid, Pg. 178.

 

[13] Ibid, Pgs. 215, 234.

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[14] Ibid, Pgs. 242.

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[15] Ibid, Pgs. 187 – 191.

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[16] Ibid, Pgs. 312 – 313.

 

[17] Ibid, Pgs. 149 – 150.

 

[18] Ibid, Pgs. 203 – 203.

 

[19] Ibid, Pgs. 144 – 147.

 

[20] Ibid, Pg. 245.

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