Olivet Celebrates Ralph Winter At Memorial

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Members across the University community attended a memorial service celebrating the life of Dr. Ralph D. Winter at Lake Avenue Congregational Church in Pasadena, Calif., on Sunday, June 28.

Olivet students, alumni, staff and administration leaders were joined by thousands of friends, colleagues, and family members of the influential missiologist, who died on May 20 at his home in Pasadena, Calif., after a long battle with cancer. They shared memories and described the impact of Dr. Winter on their lives and Christian mission.

According to featured speakers, including the Rev. Dr. Rick Warren, senior pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., that impact continues to be tremendous. “He has placed a stamp on my life,” said Warren, who counts himself among a generation of mission strategists shaped by Dr. Winter’s pioneering outreach among unreached people groups.

"Dr. Winter influenced a generation of leading lights in world mission," said Dr. William Wagner, Academic Dean of Olivet University. "I was excited to see that there was a large contingent of young leaders at the memorial service, who will be taking Dr. Winter's ideas and influence into the future."

The legacy of Dr. Winter’s life and work also is reflected in the voices of future mission leaders at Olivet who expressed gratitude for his life’s work and teaching following the memorial service.

“Dr. Winter opened the world’s eyes to people who still haven’t heard the Gospel, and began a movement to reach them,” said Nehemiah Han, who received his Master of Divinity degree in June. "I hope to honor his great legacy by advancing this movement today.”

Dr. Winter served as honorary chairman of Olivet University, providing guidance on the school’s direction and matters of importance. Olivet’s Ralph D. Winter Library was officially named for him in 2007.