ABWE - Association of Baptists for World Evangelism

Dr. Antolin B. Zamar
Philippine Association of Baptists for World Evangelism
My wife and I remember wonderful times we had with Dr. Kempton. He has always been an inspiration to me as he would send me emails. When I was president of Doane Baptist Seminary, I would share with him, as an accountability partner, some of the challenges and problems in the school, and he would advise me. He never ceased to be energetic and full of love for the Lord Jesus Christ. He has been a great encouragement to us in the Philippines.

Christian leader and ABWE partner in Burma
I lost my own father forty-five years ago. Fifteen years ago the Lord brought into my life, the godliest person I ever met. In time, he had become like my own father. This was Dr. Kempton. Because of the news [Dr. Kempton’s death], many secret and open tears are being shed in my family. I thank the Lord for bringing us together and binding us together with such a special cord of love. I thank the Lord for Dr. Kempton’s life and his ministry around the world, especially in my beloved country, Burma. His legacy will always remain in the land of Burma.

Dr. Geza and Ildiko Kovacs
Pastor of Rosegarden Baptist Church, Budapest, Hungary
Dr. Kempton knew how to bridge the gap between cultures. He never made a mistake messing up the border of the gospel and the culture. He knew he needed to keep rules that had been made by cultural beliefs of church members, but those rules never hindered him to do what he believed was necessary for the sake of the gospel.

Christian partner and Seminary Professor in India
Dr. Kempton visited us in Bangalore, India, in 2002. He preached passionately from John 3:16, and it is ineffaceable. He was a great man of God, but very humble. He was very personal. He remembered each of us by our names. He took notice of even children as much as he did of the ministries and missionaries. My family and the students at the seminary applaud and honor Dr. Kempton for his godly impact on our lives.

Kiatisak and Patcharin Siripanadorn, Thailand
We thank the Lord that His blessing allowed us to do God’s work beside His faithful servant who had a great, loving heart of Jesus Christ toward the work of faith among the Thai Buddhists in Bangkok and among the hill tribes in Chiangrai.

The Lord has used Dr. Kempton so much to help us expand God’s kingdom to thousands of hopeless souls among the tribes and Thai people—to see them turn from darkness to the Light of life in Jesus Christ. During April and May of 2007, Dr. Kempton visited the hill tribes and preached to over 400 Thai at Pattaya Bible camp. That was our last opportunity to do God’s ministry with him. All twenty-six churches, two hill tribes church houses, and twenty-eight pastors would like to say with him: “To God be the Glory for great things He hath done … over and over again.”

Vic Willis, Durban, South Africa
I will remember Dr Kempton as a man I truly enjoyed being in the presence of—a solid-as-a-rock gentleman who would say it as it is. Whether he was preaching or sharing one of his many stories over a meal, he always left me inspired and believing that I could be more and do more for Christ.

Canadian missionary to the Middle East
Wendell held an appreciation of what we Canadians can offer: enterprise and cultural flexibility. He served for thirty years on the ABWE Canada Board. In October he wrote, “As you know, I love Canadians and so I have a special place in my heart for all of you and so does Ruth.”

As Canadians, Wendell was not just our boss, but our relationship to him was based on attachment. It was as though he could see God’s grace as a tangible entity in my life and the life of others. He was an advocate of the obscure and an encourager of those who moved forward in strength. He believed in us to help open up a new ministry in the Middle East. Empathetically, he once admitted that as a visionary person, he often stood alone, patiently waiting for God to reveal to others what he himself was seeing. The caring didn’t stop with our generation, but continued with our children.

« Back to News Index

Recent Stories