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News and Ideas from around the Anglican World |
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January 2006
Tribute: Mr. Church Army goes home
By Bruce Smith
For many of us, ‘Captain T’ was larger than life. Commissioned in 1948, he began his Church Army ministry as an evangelist in Sunset Prairie, Alberta. He always spoke fondly of those early days of ministry. Captain Taylor simply loved the people he was sent to serve. His love and concern for others never waned.
In 1950, Captain Taylor was called to return to Toronto to lead the rebuilding of the work as Field Secretary. In 1952 he was made Director, a position he would hold for 37 years. Then, still full of fire and vision, the 75-year-old retiree moved into a ministry that would include monthly men’s breakfast meetings at the Church Army College, along with weekly fellowship gatherings at the Church of the Messiah.
Captain Ray and Dorothy Taylor modeled dedication, servanthood and sacrifice. Every Monday night for almost four decades, the Taylors would open their home to students for an evening of fellowship, prayer and refreshment. They shared a missionary heart, a deep concern for those who struggle on the margins, and a solid conviction that Christ brings hope both in the here-and-now and for eternity. It was for this very reason in 1998 that the Church Army launched the new training centre in Saint John as “Taylor College of Mission and Evangelism.” They exemplified what servants look like.
Evangelist, Director Emeritus, father, grandfather -- and friend. When news came of his passing, the Ontario CA staff members were meeting near Ottawa. After prayer for the family and thanksgiving, the staff spontaneously shared favourite memories of “Mr. Church Army”.
It is difficult to write on behalf of the many scores of CA evangelists who served under the leadership of Captain T. The impact he has had on our lives is deep – beyond measure. But one thing is certain: we will always be grateful for this man of God, the joyful pioneer who blazed a courageous trail for others to follow. As he would remind us often:
Our brother, our friend, our tireless example has entered the ultimate rest.
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On
October 31st, with his family by his side at Mt. Sinai Hospital in
Toronto, Captain Ray Taylor received his reward: it was time to ‘go
home and be with Dorothy’. The race was over. He had fought the good
fight of faith. |
Copyright The Anglican Planet © 2005 |