Marcia Ruth Anderson- We Remember

ourCOG May 6, 2023 4:18 am World Missions 0

In Memory of Marcia Ruth Anderson

Missionary Marcia Ruth Anderson passed away April 29, 2021, after a time of poor health. She had recently celebrated her 80th birthday.

Church of God World Missions Director Dr. David Griffis made this statement: “A great heroine of Church of God World Missions has gone to her eternal reward. Marcia Anderson was a true missionary in every sense of the word. Her life and work impacted thousands and will remain though she has departed. We honor her memory in Church of God World Missions.”

Assistant Director and Missionary Supervisor Dr. M. Thomas Propes affirmed that the family of World Missions, staff, and missionaries, will miss the gentle wisdom of Marcia.

A native of Hudson, South Dakota, Marcia had been chosen by God to enter a life of service as a missionary educator. Marcia was known as a “Citizen of the World,” and has written three books, as well as has earned two Master’s degrees and a doctorate. At the 2018 Church of God General Assembly, Dr. Anderson was presented the International Educator Faculty Award during the International Educators Luncheon. Her students echo this sentiment, “You touched many of us, by your love for God, your humble and sincere heart. Your true friendship printed a lovely permanent mark in our hearts.”

Marcia began her service in 1991 as a missionary intern, associate missionary in Singapore, associate missionary in the Philippines at Asian Seminary of Christian Ministries where she was the Dean of Students for a decade, and then as missionary educator and Dean of Students in Kenya, Africa, at Discipleship College and as a writer about missions in her retirement.

Once asked by a student, “How were you called to be a missionary?”, Marcia responded, “God just made me one! The odd thing is that God made me ‘go’ first, and then I discovered I was a missionary!”

The family is planning a ZOOM memorial to incorporate family, friends, students, and supporters who are stretched around the world. Those plans have not yet been announced.