Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
a Life Well-Lived
Tributes from around the world
f ri e nds of r alp h D. wi nter
Editor’s note: We have received hundreds of tributes, stories and reflections on Dr. Winter’s life from those who knew him well or were
impacted by him in some way. Of course not all could be included here, and some of those selected had to be edited for space. Many more
tributes will be posted online at www.ralphwinter.org, and there you can also write your own reflections as well.
surrounded by his grandsons coming ing of the U.S. Center for World
Billy Graham from Xela. He was full of joy, especially Mission in Pasadena. I have also
Evangelist when he mentioned to me that one of observed the profound influence of
Ralph Winter his disciples was now the mayor of the his life and teaching on the work of
was a man of God city. I was astonished by the sensibility YWAM missionaries worldwide.
who gave a vision of Ralph that, in the midst of the major Many years ago during a time when
to many Chris- issues he continued developing, he Ralph faced seemingly insurmountable
tians of a world kept a clear focus on people instead of difficulties, I told him I thought he was
in need of the programs, and he made it the measure a prophet disguised as an academic. He
gospel. I used to of success in his ministry. dismissed such an idea but my reason
meet with him on Please receive and share my feeling to was simple. I could see the Holy Spirit
many occasions, often in small group his family and my personal gratitude for at work. A man of humility and dili-
prayer. Some of my vision for world a life invested in my country, COMI- gence was being graced with revelation.
evangelization came from my interac- BAM, GCR and my personal life. Ralph’s ideas were much more than
tion with him, and I am grateful. the educated hunches of a brilliant
mind. His ideas were refined in prayer
John Dawson and bore a weight beyond reason. They
David Ruiz President, Youth With A Mission became the effective strategies of a
Associate Director, International generation of missionaries.
Missions Commission, WEA
On behalf of our Just a few weeks ago, Ralph and Bar-
As I learned of founders, Loren bara visited our campus in Kona. He
Ralph’s passing, and Darlene was as brilliant as ever and gave con-
a lot of personal Cunningham, text to our whole journey. He validated
memories of and the whole so much of what is happening among
my long-term international us by giving an historic overview of
friendship with family of ministries our efforts and looking far into the fu-
him came to associated with ture. He had particular praise for Jim
mind—his Youth With A Mission, I join with Stier’s compilation on the discipling of
lovely help for me during my time in followers of Jesus worldwide in honoring nations. Ralph profoundly strength-
COMIBAM, his counsel during my the life and work of Ralph Winter. ened our commitment to a missionary
time in GCR (the Great Commission university that penetrates all spheres.
Roundtable), and his challenging I was present when Ralph introduced
writing. But the most special time his revolutionary ideas during the Years ago, Ralph stepped onto the
was a “heavenly appointment” in historic Lausanne Congress in 1974 international stage as a pioneer and
Guatemala’s Airport when he was and personally witnessed the pioneer- innovator, however he walked among
us in Kona as a father of fathers sur- We were a bit stunned. When those on the World Christian Movement?
rounded by the evidence of a fruitful of us from TEAM got home, some of How many new frontiers has the
life. We love this man. He taught us, them asked me: “Mike, Ralph Winter Church bridged with the gospel
and he served us, and we owe him a is your friend. Was he trying to say due to Dr. Winter’s persuasive focus
great debt of gratitude. that we agency guys are a stick-in-the- on reaching “unreached peoples”?
As I contemplate his recent passing, mud?” I replied that he probably was, Only in eternity will the full range
I am overwhelmed with a sense that but in any event his proposal was the of Ralph Winter’s influence become
his life was a completed life. Through only thing we were discussing after we known. To know Dr. Winter was to
unrelenting diligence, he walked all got home to Wheaton! be awed by his intellect, charmed by
the way out to the boundaries marked That was the way Ralph was. He his candor, enriched by his flair for
out for him. goaded mission leaders into mak- analogy and swept up with zeal to
ing the main thing the main thing. see God’s kingdom come!
Thank you Ralph. You are an inspira-
tion. Thank you Jesus, for taking a As a result, countless agencies and
comfortable civil engineer and build- individuals have reoriented their work
toward reaching unreached peoples,
John Piper
ing him into a blessing to the whole Pastor of Preaching and Vision,
earth, a man who laid foundations in and that is principally why by God’s
grace we have identified, engaged and Bethlehem Baptist Church
time and eternity.
begun to see fruit among Muslim, Nobody in
Hindu and Buddhist peoples in the the area of
Mike Pocock past thirty years. missions had a
Missions Professor, greater impact
on me. Others,
Dallas Theological Seminary Don Richardson like Jonathan
I have nothing but Missionary, Author Edwards, had a
great memories of Some leaders reach greater impact on
Ralph Winter. their maximum me in the area of missions, but no
potential while one actually in missions affected me
In 1978, Ralph more than Ralph Winter.
and Roberta were subordinating the
considering the talents of others. A First, he was a professor of mine
purchase of the winsome aspect of at Fuller Seminary and introduced
Pasadena property to begin what Dr. Ralph Winter’s me to the stunning works of God
they would call the U.S. Center for personal greatness in missions in the last two hundred
World Mission. Ralph came to the was his penchant for freely inspiring years. His vision of the advance of
annual meeting of the IFMA, now others to maximize their potential. the gospel was breathtaking.
CrossGlobal Link in Dallas. After Peace Child and my subsequent books
He wore a bow tie in those days,
laying out the proposal for the might never have been written, let
iconoclast that he was, and was
center and why there needed to be alone published, had not Ralph looked
fined by the seminary for not re-
a focal point to study and engage this young missionary in the eye
turning our papers on time. None
unreached peoples, he concluded back in 1973 and said confidently,
of us begrudged him his scattered
with what I have come to term a “Write that story, Don! I guarantee
approach to life. It was thrilling in
“pedagogical hyperbole” (of which its publication!” And that is exactly
those days.
Ralph was the master!). He said: what he arranged (without requiring
an agent’s fee!). How many thousands Second, in 1974 at the Lausanne
“As I think about the probability
of other Christians younger and Congress on World Evangeliza-
of you mission executives adopting
older has Ralph encouraged as his tion, Winter reached up and pulled
this idea, I think it will be about
co-editors for USCWM publications the unseen rope called “unreached
as difficult as changing the tire on
and as managers, co-ordinators, peoples” that rang a bell that rever-
a Mack truck while it is rolling
teachers and graduates of USCWM’s berates to this day.
downhill!”
worldwide course called Perspectives
only in eternit y will the full range of ralph winter’s influence become known. —don r ichardson
36 May–August 2009 Mission Frontiers USCWM • 1605 E. Elizabeth St. • Pasadena, CA 91104 • 626-797-1111
He tau gh t m e lo n g ag o t h at t h e co n c e pt o f “r e tir ement ” was not in the b ib l e. —jo hn p ip e r
This concept, and the subsequent em- creative, encouraging lover of un- tively evangelizing. But because
phasis on unreached peoples (as op- reached peoples who lived unstoppa- of Indonesia’s mosaic of languages
posed to unreached “fields”) has been bly for the glory of God. and people groups, for the Batak
globally seismic in the transformation to reach others—even in their own
of missions. It gripped me and shaped country—they would have to engage
all we have done in missions at Beth- Chuck Colson in cross-cultural missions.
lehem ever since the mid 1980s. Founder, Prison Fellowship
With America becoming more and
Third, in the 1980s he bought a $15 The Church on more multicultural, and with our sec-
million college campus with virtually earth recently lost ular neighbors not even speaking our
nothing in his hand to start the U.S. a great visionary. language, we would do well to see
Center for World Mission; and he If you’ve ever our evangelism at home as Winter
paid for it by persuading enough of us heard the terms taught us to see it around the world.
(thousands) to give “the last thou- “unreached people
Ralph Winter’s strategic emphasis
sand.” Brilliant! I think I sent $2,000. group,” “frontier
on reaching not simply every nation
Couldn’t resist the vision. missions,” or “10/40
with the gospel, but every people
window,” it’s because of Ralph Winter’s
The point of the U.S. Center was group, dramatically altered the
catalytic effect on the Church to fully
to trumpet the vision that there are strategies and budget allocations of
embrace the Great Commission.
unreached peoples in the world, and missionary organizations around the
then equip the church to reach them. Winter burst onto the international world. In fact, Billy Graham wrote,
stage in 1974 at the Lausanne Confer- “Ralph Winter has . . . accelerated
Fourth, Ralph Winter was probably
ence on World Evangelization. There world evangelization.”
the most creative thinker I have ever
among Christian leaders like Billy
known. I mean, on any topic that you A few years later, Winter founded
Graham, Bill Bright, and John Stott,
brought up, he would come at it in a the U.S. Center for World Mission
Winter blew the lid off some of the
way you have never dreamed of. He and soon after the William Carey
most pernicious misconceptions of
saw all things in relationship to other International University. He had no
the day. Because the gospel had gone
things that you would never think of financial backing at the time, and
to every continent and nearly every
relating them to. only $100 to begin with. Audacious?
country, many people had begun to
This meant that stalemates often Yes. But as Winter wrote, “We were
assume that the work of missions was
became fresh starting points. If you willing to fail because the goal we
over. They thought that the only thing
were struggling with a tension in your sensed was so urgent and strategic.”
now was for local Christians to engage
church, he might say: “Well, think in evangelism. But the center did not fail. Since then
about the Navy.” Or if you were having the center has not only trained thou-
In a paper circulated prior to the
a marriage problem, he might say, “Did sands of missionaries and support
gathering, Winter wrote, “The awe-
you notice how that bridge was built?” personnel, but also has worked tire-
some problem is . . . that most non-
Fifth, Ralph Winter befriended me. lessly to bring the vision of reaching
Christians in the world today are
He encouraged me. In my most rest- hidden peoples to the wider Church.
not culturally near neighbors of any
less early days, he would tell me to In 2005, Time magazine included
Christians, and that it will take a
stay at Bethlehem because I could do Winter as one of the top 25 most
special kind of ‘cross-cultural’ evan-
more by sending than by going. influential evangelicals. Last year, the
gelism to reach them.”
North American Mission Confer-
Finally, he did not waste his life, not Winter knew that if every Christian ence gave him the lifetime service
even the last hours of it. He was busy in the world shared the gospel with award. But no doubt Winter will take
dictating into the last days. He taught his neighbors, only half the world greater pleasure in meeting the men
me long ago that the concept of “re- would hear it. and women from every tribe, tongue
tirement” was not in the Bible. and nation who praise the name of
To illustrate his point, Winter ex-
What a gift he was to the church. To plained the case of the Batak church Jesus in glory—all because of his pas-
the world. Thank you, Father, for the in Indonesia, where the gospel had sion to spread Christ’s message.
legacy of this visionary, risk-taking, taken root and people were ac-
Ral ph wi n t e r’s str ate g i c e m ph a si s o n reaching not simply e v ery nation w ith the gosp el, but
e ve ry p e o p le g r o u p, d r amati c a l ly a lte red the str ategies and b u dge t al loc ations of miss ionary
or ga n i zat i o n s a r o u n d th e w o rl d. — c h u c k co l so n
Korea. Nobody could deny the fact the history of mission through
Chulho Han that Dr. Winter had a special love a different prism. His insights
Director, Mission Korea for the future and development of were fresh and different from
All mission non-Western missions, although any other mission historian I had
leaders and he himself was a Western missions known. He spoke of the “Christian
Perspectives leader. He persevered and endured Movement” and sought to discover
graduates in to finish the unfinished task through the dynamics that were important
Korea, including his creative thinking and many prac- in producing that movement. One
those of us with tical recommendations. He was an of his most important insights
Mission Korea, excellent example for any missionary. pointed to the crucial role of
are deeply I personally experienced my think- mission structures, committed
sorrowful over Dr. Winter’s passing ing and perspective changing each communities of what he called
away. While his influence on time I met Dr. Winter. He visited “second decision” people. Using
world missions was extraordinary Korea two years ago and he spoke anthropological terminology, he
to everyone in the world, his to a group of Perspectives graduates. called those structures “sodalities,”
impact on Korean missionaries When someone asked how he could in contrast to “modalities.”
and Mission Korea was truly remain so successful in his ministry, (I have preferred the simpler
remarkable. Dr. Winter was one of Dr. Winter replied, “Everything de- terms, “mission structures” and
the first persons to introduce the pends on how consistently USCWM “congregational structures.”) But
concept of missions mobilization partners and I are connected to God the importance of his insight can
to the Korean Church as he on a daily basis.” Now, Dr. Winter is scarcely be overestimated. Cross-
spoke about Unreached People at home with the Lord at all times. cultural mission has rarely been
and missions mobilization at the May the Lord bless his soul! carried out effectively without such
Mission Korea conference in 1992. “sodalities” or mission structures
And his perspectives played a that mobilized, trained, sent,
crucial role in the rapid growth and Paul Pierson and nurtured men and women
development of the Mission Korea Mission historian, Author, Former in mission. And he brought that
movement for the past two decades. Dean, School of World Mission, insight just as the older “mainline”
When I met Dr. Winter in 1998, he Fuller Theological Seminary denominations, including the
suggested to me that an umbrella Presbyterian Church under which
I first met he and Roberta had served,
organization like Mission Korea Ralph when we
should introduce the Perspectives were disbanding their mission
were students structures and focusing primarily
program to Korea. As a result, at Princeton
nearly two hundred Perspectives on interchurch relations and other
Seminary in the programs. That erosion of focused
classes have been held in Korea for early 1950s. Our
the past eight years and about ten mission structures, along with
paths crossed the loss of conviction about the
thousand Christians have effectively again in the mid
been trained and challenged for absolute need of men and women
1970s when he was at Fuller and I everywhere to hear the gospel,
missions. Dr. Winter had fully was pastor of the First Presbyterian
understood the importance of led to a disastrous decline in
Church in Fresno, CA. When I personnel and financial resources
mobilizing young adults. He had became Dean of the School of World
always been proud of the Mission devoted to world mission by
Mission at Fuller in 1980, I was those denominations.
Korea conferences as a collaborative also appointed Professor of History
missions mobilization effort for of Mission and Latin American Secondly, Winter’s term, “second
Korean young adults and he Studies. So I inherited the course decision people,” pointed to the
encouraged me whenever we met. on the History of the Christian need for multitudes in the Church
For decades, Dr. Winter’s wisdom Movement that he had taught. Ralph to experience a double conversion,
on non-Western missions pro- had not been trained as an historian. similar to that of Paul of Tarsus.
vided much encouragement and He was an engineer, anthropologist In his encounter with the risen
challenge for the newly emerging and linguist. That was probably an Christ, Saul the Pharisee not
missionary-sending nations like advantage because he examined only recognized Jesus as Lord
38 May–August 2009 Mission Frontiers USCWM • 1605 E. Elizabeth St. • Pasadena, CA 91104 • 626-797-1111
Some p e o p le s e e t h i n g s a s th e y a re a n d a sk , “ Why?”; Dr. Wi nter dr eamed things that ne v er were
an d s ai d, “ why n ot?” — B o b B l i n co e
and Messiah, but heard His call and encouragement that sowed the
to take the gospel to the Gentiles. Bob Creson vision of birthing Frontiers.
There were many logical results President,
He invited me to the USCWM,
of that insight. One of the most Wycliffe Bible Translators USA where I devoured every fertile
important was the creation of the Dr. Ralph Winter thought-provoking idea coming out
course, Perspectives on the World was a man whose of the Zwemer Institute, WCIU
Christian Movement. That course convictions and and the Center. Very quickly, we
has been used to bring about that passions reflected saw what seemed to be impossible
“second decision” in the lives of the heart of God becoming open doors .
thousands of men and women in the as expressed in
United States and now in two dozen Luke chapter 15
other countries. for the least, the Jack Frizen
last and the lost. His words and life Former Director,
challenged the rest of us to open
Bob Blincoe our hearts to love and our lives to
Inter-denominational Foreign
U.S. Director, Frontiers Mission Association (IFMA)
serve the often ignored unreached
In October 2007 and unengaged people groups I have been
I sat with many of the earth. Because he shared a friend and
others who had our commitment and pioneering admirer of
gathered to hear spirit, it was natural for Wycliffe Ralph for some
whatever Dr. USA’s Board of Directors to extend 45 years. Our
Winter would talk honorary membership in Wycliffe to first encounter,
about. We would Ralph more than a decade ago—he that I can
have heard him was, after all, an extraordinary remember, was
speak on any issue, but when he had champion for Bible translation and an a 1964 IFMA meeting of pastors
been introduced Dr. Winter said, “If enthusiastic missionary for those who and church mission chairs held at
you have a burning question, I’d like to are marginalized and still waiting for Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena.
hear it; I may not be able to help, but Scripture. We will miss his insight (I don’t recall there being mission
I like to work on burning questions.” and vision. pastors at that time.) Charlie Mellis,
The reason I wrote his words down president of Missionary Aviation
and am looking at my note today is Fellowship, was the leader of the
because I think this was the essential Greg Livingstone IFMA Southern California Group.
Dr. Winter. So often, such as in Founder, Frontiers He and his committee had arranged
Guatemala when Dr. Winter proposed the meeting. Since I was the newly
Who can measure elected Executive Director of
what became known as Theological the influence of
Education by Extension, he was a IFMA, Charlie asked me to come
Ralph Winter to the meeting and serve as emcee.
social engineer offering solutions to on the 8,000
problems that everyone around him As I remember, there were well
disciple-makers over 100 attending this successful
was facing. in residence interaction between pastors, their
As there were no burning questions among Muslims in mission committee leaders and
that day, Dr. Winter proceeded to wow some 50 Muslim mission agency leaders. Among the
us with his prepared remarks. But the majority countries plus India, China interested participants were Drs.
tribute Dr. Winter would like is not and Russia? Ralph Winter and Peter Wagner.
that we would be wowed, but that we Before I met Ralph at Penn State
would follow him, follow him in being During the following months,
University in 1980 (where we Ralph and Peter set up a meeting
students of the Bible as though we shared the joint missions weekend
could change the world. Some people to be held the next year (1965)
of CCC, IVCF, and Navigators), for church leaders giving between
see things as they are and ask, “Why?”; I hadn’t heard a fresh thought in
Dr. Winter dreamed things that never $100,000 and $200,000 to missions
missions for years! It was his vision in their annual church budget.
were and said, “Why not?”
Wade Coggins of EFMA and I literally become an engraving in the Christ are concepts being pursued,
attended this meeting held in a hotel minds and souls of a host of pastors and millions of new believers have
just outside of LAX Airport. At and Christian leaders just as truly as emerged from these cultures with a
this meeting ACMC (Association they have my own. non-traditional Christian expression.
of Church Mission Committees) In behalf of Anna and myself, as well I remember some 12 years ago,
was born. Wade and I were named as my fellow-laborers across the global Robyn and I travelled by car from
as advisors to the new board body of the Foursquare Church, we Pasadena to San Diego with Ralph.
of directors. rise to say, Thank you, Lord for Your We were talking as we travelled.
Another brainchild of Ralph’s servant and our brother, Ralph Winter. Ralph came out with a range
was a series of summer programs, of statements about Islam and
again coordinated by Charlie portraying it as a Christian sect. We
Mellis. These sessions were held Patrick Johnstone expostulated that going public with
at Wheaton College for several Author, Operation World such views would cause upheaval
years. Again Wade and I served How can one in the Christian world. His
on this committee. This program portray in a few comment, “I can now say what I
developed into the mightily blessed sentences all that like, I am now over 70!” I think this
Perspectives course. this remarkable independent thinking preceded his
Toward the end of one of these man has meant for passing that age frontier! He bowed
sessions in Wheaton, Grace and I world evangelisa- to no man, but sought to honor his
invited the leaders to our house for tion? We praise Lord! So much of his ministry left
fellowship and refreshments. The God for his many us a legacy of gems and nuggets—
group included, as I remember, unique contributions. even if a few of those nuggets were
Ralph, Peter and Doris Wagner, flammable coals!
It is hard to over-estimate the
Charlie and Claire Mellis and impact of his plenary presentation I want to close with this beautiful
several others. As we interacted at the Lausanne Consultation in characteristic which so impacted
around the table, Ralph pulled an 1974. Unreached peoples became me. In the 1970s I was a missionary
envelope from his coat pocket and mainstream in missiological thinking evangelist in Africa, and part-
started to diagram the vision he had and mission practice after decades time world researcher. We had
for what became the U.S. Center for of being a fringe concern of a few. just printed our first full Operation
World Mission. If this were all he achieved in his World to help African Christians
ministry, this alone would have pray for the world, but found too
accorded him a place of honor in late we could not sell it in South
Jack W. Hayford God’s Kingdom! Africa because it had not been
President, International printed by a press with union
Foursquare Churches, Founding I think of all the challenges and workers. Ralph obtained a copy
obstacles he went through in and asked to publish it through
Pastor, The Church On The Way
ministry and in the launching of the the William Carey Library —the
Personally, I am USCWM. Nothing deterred him. first marketable edition of
touched deeply It would be a long list if a heavenly Operation World (under the title
by Ralph’s survey were done of all individuals World Handbook for the World
homegoing. I and agencies deeply impacted because Christian). Several years later we
have never known of his faith and tenacity in pushing were based in the UK at our WEC
a more diligent the message of missions. I think of International headquarters, and we
servant of the TEE, Mission Frontiers, the unique were struggling to print successive
gospel; one so Perspectives course. editions of Operation World. Ralph
marvelously wrapped in the gift- was concerned for us and our lack
He saw the possibility of great turnings
packaging of a profound scholar, of resources. He wonderfully gifted
to God among followers of the major
missionary, pioneer thinker and me with one of those first laptops
non-Christian religions long before
friend. The imprint his footsteps (a Tandy, I think!), which showed 8
many others had realized that this was
have left in the sands of Church lines of text on a small LCD screen.
a possibility! Today contextualization,
history will not wash away with This I used all over the world in my
Messianic believers, Jesus mosques,
time, for the impact of his life has travels, and was a vital part of my
and Hindu followers of the Lord Jesus
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He saw the possibilit y of great turnings to God among followers of the ma jor non-Christian
religions long before many others had realized that this was a possibilit y! —Patrick Johnstone
ministry. Thank you Ralph for your peoples of the planet, the paradigm reaching unbelieving skeptics. The
concern, care and generosity to a of modern mission changed forever. things I was just discovering were
young missionary not yet known on Winter had given voice to what would things he had been dealing with for
the world missiological stage. become the driving force in missions many years, not only about what it
for the next 30 years. takes to get science readers to listen
to Christ’s voice, but about the many
Paul McKaughan In the audacious move of founding
the U.S. Center and the Frontier specific challenges in science/faith
Former Director, Evangelical Foreign
Mission Fellowship, Ralph Winter dialogue. Dr. Winter encouraged
Missions Association made sure that unreached peoples me to spend my time where it would
In the fall of remained on all our agendas. count most for the Kingdom, in
1966 I was first His creativity and U.S. Center original research and writing. I’ve
captivated by platform made sure we continued often reflected how encouraged and
what I was to later to be challenged as to our focus renewed I felt in my own calling to
recognize as the and methodologies. The Perspectives do the work of an evangelist from
genius of Ralph course, of which he was the principal that phone call and others with him
Winter. It was architect, has built a foundation since. Praise the Lord for Ralph
his first teaching of common understanding of our Winter’s life of selfless obedience to
assignment at Fuller. I was a young task among mission people of all his own calling! What a discipler
missionary completing my first term evangelical persuasions. and vision caster!
in Brazil. Dr. Winter was in the As a champion of majority-world
midst of a career change. From many
years of creative missionary service in
cross-cultural missions, Dr. Winter K. Rajendran
used his writing and influence to General Secretary,
the mountains of Guatemala, he was make sure that unreached peoples
transitioning to become a professor India Missions Association
occupied a priority place on the
and world-renowned Church and agenda of emerging missions. He also I led a team of
mission historian. Our classes were a made sure that the leaders of these 10 people, from
“Winterian” stream of consciousness new movements became known and several countries,
on The Training of Leadership, but respected in the West. in a discipleship
embedded in each class was a totally group to study
brilliant new idea or concept that An indication of Dr. Winter’s Perspectives on the
defied my previously fixed categories. influence was the degree to which World Christian
missions leaders across the world Movement. Our
Over the 35–40 years of our were obligated to respond to his views
association, I found that his original study group read a chapter a week
on the task and our methodologies. and met to discuss our discovery
and fertile mind would regularly At times one might argue about the
challenge the thinking of those of on that chapter. We shared many
novelty or applicability of Winter’s great perspectives, which we richly
us in mission leadership. There were, approach, but never with the
however, attributes that made Ralph learned, and we missed almost
fervency of his Christian faith or his nothing. Then we prayed for missions
Winter’s thinking even more powerful commitment to extending the Reign
than its creativity. That was his firm across the world. All our books were
of Christ among all peoples. marked with highlighters of the
commitment to the trustworthiness of
Scripture and his unwavering passion things that affected us. I believe that
eventually our Perspectives books
for reaching those with no access to Fred Heeren were perhaps the most highlighted
the Good News. Day Star Ministries books in the world. We were
When with very primitive, I had the longest phone call of my affected much by the thoughts in
unpretentious diagrams in hand at life when Dr. Winter called me the articles, especially Dr. Winter’s.
the first Lausanne Congress, Dr. shortly after the publication of my I ended up quoting them in many
Winter challenged those of us present book, Show Me God, when we spoke of my writings. Almost all the
to reach the hidden, unreached all afternoon about strategies for people in that study group ended
42 May–August 2009 Mission Frontiers USCWM • 1605 E. Elizabeth St. • Pasadena, CA 91104 • 626-797-1111
Dr. w i n t e r e n t e r e d m y w o rl d at ju st th e r ight time to encou r age me a long the r oad that l ed me
to fo u n d t h e n o ma d i c pe o pl e s n e t w o rk . —malco l m hu n te r
conclusion that, certainly in Africa, by the SIM, our main mission agency, Lord for the life and work and every
these included all the nomadic and to go to the U.S. Center for World personal memory of this “gentle
most of the semi-nomadic peoples. I Mission “on loan” for a period of two genius of the Kingdom.”
was wondering whether this situation years. Dr. Winter had apparently
was found on other continents and what been to visit the SIM, amongst other
I could do next with this conclusion. mission U.S. headquarters, in his James Dobson
quest to find some proven mobilizers Founder and Chairman Emeritus,
Dr. Winter entered my world at
just the right time to encourage me to add some field experience to his Focus on the Family
along the road that led me to found mobilization division. SIM decided Dr. Ralph
the Nomadic Peoples Network with that we were amongst their most Winter is being
global coverage. He stood on the effective recruiters and “rabble remembered
old-fashioned stage behind a small rousers”; we were available due to the as a pioneer
table, on the edge of which stood Marxist revolution in Ethiopia, so we of the modern
a stack of tractor feed computer were assigned. I was invited by Dr. world missions
paper. He began to talk in his Winter to accompany him on many of movement, and
gentle, undemonstrative style about his teaching seminars to illustrate his indeed, he was. I
missiological principles from my field remember being moved and inspired
the huge number of what he called
experience. That was a high privilege by the courage he demonstrated
“Hidden Peoples” in the world who
which allowed me to get to know when he purchased the old Pasadena
were not being targeted or engaged Nazarene College campus back
by any Christian witness. I found Dr. Winter on a different level of
personal friendship. in the 1970s. We all knew at the
his delivery all the more striking to time that Dr. Winter was faithfully
me because it was so quiet and even Some ten years later we came to following the Lord’s leading, but
contemplative. At the same time I another turning point in our lives at we were also aware of the serious
could not help thinking about the which Dr. Winter became the guiding financial obstacles that seemed to
many missionary efforts I knew of light. I had been wondering on how stand in the way of his dream.
where there was a witness being to expand my vision for ministry to
made but it was so inappropriate to the unreached nomadic peoples after But with every financial challenge
that arose, the Lord made a
the host culture as to be ineffective, we reached retirement age and were
way around them. God’s people
if not a negative communication of released by SIM with their blessing
caught the vision and responded
Christianity. to “go global.” Dr. Winter got in
generously, and the U.S. Center
My discouraging thoughts were touch with the SIM leadership again for World Mission and William
suddenly interrupted when Dr. with the proposal that we should Carey International University
Winter tipped the top pages of the establish the Institute for Nomadic were born. The establishment of
stack of computer paper off the table Studies at the USCWM, and these institutions represented a
and we all watched mesmerized as together an agreement was reached tremendous answer to the prayers of
the concertina of pages slowly moved that has proved to be a great blessing many people, as well as a significant
from the top of the table to the floor to my wife and me and the wider advancement to the cause of world
whilst he quietly explained that these Nomadic Peoples Network, which missions. I did what I could, but it
pages contained the names of all the we established in England twenty was Dr. Winter who led the charge
known unreached peoples on earth at years ago. in those days. Everyone who cares
that time. In those days when there Dr. Winter may never have met a about the spread of the gospel of
were no PowerPoint presentations this real nomad, but he showed that he Jesus Christ—and who is passionate
was probably the most unforgettable certainly understood their worldview. about the salvation of lost souls
means of conveying the scale of In one of the lead articles he wrote in from every tribe and tongue and
nation—owes Dr. Winter a debt of
the task that confronted the global Mission Frontiers entitled “Nomads to
gratitude. He was one of a kind, and
missionary enterprise. the Rescue” (March/April 2002), he
he is sorely missed. But his legacy
It was some years later that my wife declared that they have much to teach
lives on.
and I were very surprised to be asked our Western churches. We thank the
44 May–August 2009 Mission Frontiers USCWM • 1605 E. Elizabeth St. • Pasadena, CA 91104 • 626-797-1111
Dr. Wi n t e r le f t a l e g ac y o f re m e m br a n c e S . . . BEYOND THE BOW TIES, THE BA LDING HA IR, “GLUED SHOES”
STACKS OF PA PER, ARTICLES, F IL ING C AB INETS A ND BOOKS. —B RUCE G RAHAM
ability or gifting when necessary, the school (7) no professor left a greater influence that Dawson Trotman
faithfulness in financial accounting, impact on my life and mission work. had on his life in the 1950s. More
the wartime lifestyle, the inexhaust- I was in the first class Dr. Winter recently, Jim Downing used to visit
ible new perspective that constantly taught at Fuller in the fall of 1967. the USCWM Campus to interact
envisioned and motivated us into We were only 17 students back then, with Dr. Winter at his request.
attempting greater things for God, and he was fresh from the field. I had I first heard Dr. Winter at
and expecting great things from just concluded five painful years of Lausanne '74. I was at once
God. Lord, help us, help me remem- work in Taiwan and was determined convinced by his remarkable analysis
ber for the sake of your Son’s Name to find answers—or remain home. of The Highest Priority. Later that
in all the earth. Dr. Winter was the one I was looking year, he gave four challenging
for. Never a class went by without lectures at Glen Eyrie, the notes of
him spinning new ideas from his which I’ve just reviewed again! Ever
Steve Strauss keen mind. He would arrive in class since, I’ve read anything by him that
U.S. Director, SIM to teach a course on mission history comes to my notice and admired
carrying a huge load of books he had how fertile his mind was until the
Ralph Winter’s researched the night before to find
impact on the end. What a convincing advocate for
“Epochs of Mission History,” and he worldwide missions!
World Christian kept coming up with new ones. For
Movement has his first time at teaching this subject On several later occasions, he
probably been his creative insights were brilliant. invested time and energy to
greater than any One day he came into class waving a participate in gatherings of
other person in thesis manuscript in hand (mine) and our Navigator leaders. He was
our generation, announced what a tragedy it is to leave unfailingly gracious, patient and
with the possible exception of Billy such writings to collect dust in library incisive. We learned much. We were
Graham. He shaped and popularized archives, and thus was born “mini- challenged to work all the harder at
some of our most basic missiological publishing” and the William Carey advancing the gospel of Jesus and
ideas. For me personally, my life was Library movement. He was a light His Kingdom.
changed when I heard him speak at among lights, a leader among leaders. My last exchange of letters with him
Lausanne 1974. His presentation of He will be sadly missed by all. I will was last year, concerning a small
unreached peoples and E-1, E-2, E-3 forever cherish my year with him. point in the new Perspectives course.
evangelism challenged me to think As usual, he was open and warm. I’ll
about the direction of my life and to miss him greatly.
elevate reaching the unreached to the
Donald McGilchrist
top of what I wanted my life to be all International Consultant,
about. I’m sure Dr. Winter’s impact on The Navigators Yong J. Cho
my life has been repeated thousands I would like to International Director, Global
of times over. The World Christian express my sadness Network of Mission Structures
Movement will miss Dr. Winter’s at the loss of
When I came
creativity and ability to popularize Ralph Winter.
to prepare for
and communicate core biblical and This leaves a huge
the AMA
missiological truth. We praise God for gap in the fabric
Convention in
allowing us to have experienced the of evangelical
Pasadena in
life and thinking of Ralph Winter. missions. He was
1986, I met a
a leader of immense stature. Earth is
man with a giant
far poorer and heaven is richer.
Allen J. Swanson The Navigators’ connection with
heart. Although
I knew about Dr. Winter before, I
Missionary Dr. Winter goes back a long way. came to know a true man who lived
A giant in Missions has departed He participated in Lorne Sanny’s with his words in a wartime lifestyle.
to be at last with his Lord. In all Bible Study at Fuller Seminary and He wholeheartedly understood the
the schools I attended since high spoke with affection of the powerful position of non-Western mission
46 May–August 2009 Mission Frontiers USCWM • 1605 E. Elizabeth St. • Pasadena, CA 91104 • 626-797-1111
The s tat u s q u o wa s a b h o rre n t to t h i s v i sionary. He was c al l ed to dr iv e the missions mov ement
in to n e w f r o n t i ers. — P h i l Pa r s h a l l
he said, “throughout history every major move to christ has started as a heresy.” . —Pete Holzmann
in the ye a r s t h at fo l lo w e d i be c ame m o re awar e of dr. w inter’s teac hing thr ou gh his pr ov o c at ive
an d min d -s t r e tch i n g w ri ti n g s. — geoff tunnicliffe
48 May–August 2009 Mission Frontiers USCWM • 1605 E. Elizabeth St. • Pasadena, CA 91104 • 626-797-1111
the wr i t i n g s a n d d o i n g s o f th i s ma n o f g o d constitu te a r ic h tr easu r e tr ov e, w hic h w omen and
men o f mis s i o n s w i l l e xplo re fo r ye a rs to come. —david hesselgrave
to Ralph D. Winter’s numerous the AD2000 and Beyond Movement. always a source of encouragement to
contributions for many years to It was a great encouragement to me as me. In particular, I will never forget
come. They will constitute an abiding the movement was facing difficulties the simple lifestyle of Dr. Winter,
legacy. Without question, they will in the beginning. In fact, Ralph was his classic soft, simple shoes that
give praise to God and voice to his the one who gave birth to the idea of had the honor of moving one of
thinking both in halls of learning and “A Church for Every People Group the most influential persons in the
in fields of labor. That will constitute by the Year 2000” and used this as world of missions, and in particular
a continuing tribute. the sub-title for the 1980 Edinburgh in my life and in the life of many,
Mission Conference. Luis and I many other emerging leaders in the
merely added the words “And the
Thomas Wang Gospel for Every Person” in front of
world of missions.
Founder, Great Commission Center his phrase. Frankly speaking, Ralph Could you please extend to Dr.
I thank God for the life of Dr. Ralph was the forerunner of the AD2000 Winter’s inner family circle and to
Winter. His life in pioneer missions and Beyond Movement. his extended family, and especially
has inspired countless young people to his great family at the USCWM,
We will miss Ralph and his prophetic our prayers and desires that Dr.
devote their lives for global missions. insight. But I am sure his writings and Winter’s example and life will
Ralph was always my big brother the U.S. Center for World Mission always be a source of encouragement
in Christ in terms of both age and will continue to inspire churches and to follow in his steps. Always sharp,
wisdom. He was a few months older mission leaders around the world for always visionary, always passionate,
than me and was my “coach” in years to come. but extremely rational and calm.
global missions.
Time magazine honored him as one of Rodolfo J. Girón George Verwer
the 25 most influential evangelicals. Executive Director, IIET
For me, he was the leading mission Founder, Operation Mobilization
Former President, COMIBAM
strategist in our world. His thinking We as a
was ahead of his time. I remember in On behalf of the Instituto movement,
the early 1990s when I was in a meeting Iberoamericano de Estudios Operation
at the U.S. Center for World Mission Trasnculturales (IIET), based in Mobilization, are
and shared with the audience, “If you Granada, Spain, all its leadership and so thankful that
do not agree with Ralph today, you will personnel, and on behalf of myself, Ralph came into
five or ten years from now.” we extend our condolences for the our lives. His
departure to his home of dear Dr. love and esteem
He was the one who awakened mission Winter. Institutionally, we at IIET and willingness to sit down and talk
leaders of the world to the awareness of recognize the great contribution was a blessing and encouragement.
unreached people groups and frontier Dr. Winter made to the very reason We will never forget his visit to our
missions in his address to Lausanne '74. of our existence, namely, to reach International Offices, which at that
That changed our mission strategy from the unreached among the Muslim time were where I live in London,
geographical concerns to the people peoples and train the workers on the England. He came like a tornado
group concept and thus ushered in a field, a passion that dominated Dr. out of heaven in his unique style
new era in global missions. Winter’s life and ministry. and message. He was so ready to
I am grateful for Ralph’s support to On a personal level, since my days think and pray out of the box and
the AD2000 and Beyond Movement. at COMIBAM Int’l. as member his contribution to reaching the
He and his staff kindly helped to of the executive committee and as unreached is beyond calculation. To
compile the Compendium of the International President, I will never our God be the glory. f
first Global Congress on World forget the humble and encouraging
Evangelization (GCOWE), which attitude of Dr. Winter toward us, new
was held in January 1989 in Singapore. Turks in the world of missions. His
It was before brother Luis Bush joined example, passion and mentorship was
If you do not agree with ralph today, you will five or ten years from now. —THOMAS WANG