Ross Rainey “Forever with the Lord”
On May 28th at the age of 91, W. Ross Rainey entered into the Presence of Christ whom he loved and served for over 75 years. He is survived by his wife Lillian, his lifelong partner in the service of the Lord.
Brother Rainey accepted Christ at eight years of age during the summer of 1937 in Foxmead, Ontario, Canada. At the conclusion of a tent meeting in a nearby town, Ross came to the Lord after singing the hymn, “When the Roll is Called up Yonder.” When he questioned whether he could truly say “I will be there!”, he came under conviction of sin, and trusted the Lord that night.
At age 12, he attended Stony Brook School in Long Island, New York, serving during his time there as the personal office helper for school headmaster, Dr. Frank E. Gaebelein. Upon his graduation in 1946, he attended and later graduated from Stetson University in Deland, Florida. Soon afterwards, he began studies at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. In 1954, he graduated with a master’s degree in theology, and just four days later, married Lillian Enchelmaier, whom he met previously at South Side Bible Chapel in St. Louis, MO. In time, they would have three children: Laurelyn, Paul, and Timothy, all of whom are going on for the Lord.
In 1954, Ross and Lillian were commended to the Lord’s work by four area assemblies with Ross following in his father’s steps, who also was engaged in itinerant ministry. He also served for over 20 years as editor of “Food for the Flock,” later known as “Ministry in Focus.” Many of his messages can be heard on voicesforchrist.org.
His desire in his walk with the Lord was to “finish well” and to do it all for the glory of God. —Editor