The Baptist World Alliance thanks God for the life and legacy of Gary Nelson! During his long involvement with the global Baptist family, Gary served as BWA Vice President, Chair of the Baptist World Aid Committee, and as a member of the General Council and Executive Committee. Gary helped shape the BWA on the Baptists in the 21st Century Committee and the Implementation Task Force. He welcomed new groups to the BWA as part of the Membership Committee and called others to missional living through his involvement with the Living Water Evangelism Program and Church Leadership Commission. Yet Gary’s impact on the BWA far outreaches his involvement on committees and commissions. Gary left a mark that will be felt for generations to come, and he did so with grace, humor, wisdom, and most importantly, with love.

— Julie Justus, Director of Global Partnerships & Unity, Baptist World Alliance

Some people we meet leave a pleasant and lasting impact on us. Gary Nelson was one such person. I first met Gary in 2002 when he was General Secretary for Canadian Baptist Ministries. LSESD was a fairly young ministry at the time, yet I remember being very impressed by the depth of his knowledge of our ministry, and both our Lebanese and Middle East contexts. I could see that his interest was genuine as was his offer to help. He instantly put his words into action. Gary was a resilient, solution-oriented leader. Able with his reassuring smile and sensible wisdom to tackle situations of crisis with a contagious sense of calmness. Gary loved the Middle East. He loved the people of the Middle East. And he certainly loved the Church in the Middle East.

— Nabil Costa, CEO THIMAR (LSESD), Lebanon

I first met Gary in Kigali at the inauguration of the AEBR (Association of Baptist Churches in Rwanda) office and again in India where we spent an afternoon playing volleyball together, shouting to celebrate each point. I remember those times with joy. Gary loved people and was very humble, approaching everybody. I was amazed by his humble leadership and observed his influence on those around him. Gary led by example. He was my role model in my own leadership position, and I will continue to imitate him. May God continue to help us lead by example as Gary did.

— Gato Munyamasoko, CBM Peace and Reconciliation Specialist, Africa

Dr. Nelson’s hard work and visionary leadership manifested through his big heart for Africa and especially for us in the ABC (Africa Brotherhood Church) …we collaborated to establish several community and social intervention projects that have helped us to preach, both in word and action, the message of the love of Christ to a [hurting] world. We celebrate the rich life of a brother that loved the church in Africa and a committed and honest friend …we loved and cherished our time together, especially at ABC. May the Lord rest his soul in peace.

— The Most Rev. Dr. Timothy Ndambuki, Archbishop of the Africa Brotherhood Church (ABC), East, Central and Southern Africa.