GOD’S HAND RESTED ON ROSS GASKIN FROM EARLIEST DAYS.

Our earliest impressions of Ross were in bible studies in our home during my medical training. He showed increasing awareness of the blessing of a life ‘hid with Christ in God.‘ Here in a special series on Ephesians, he met Rev Alan Burrow who later became Ross’ Principal at the Adelaide Bible College.

Ross visited the local theatre, uneasy sensing that the lord Jesus would not delight in his spending nights there. His sensitive character demanded he slip out from the theatre. Ross had a growing consciousness of living for God’s glory. He completed his apprenticeship as a cabinet maker; which simplified our task of packing large cases of possessions when we prepared to serve the Lord in Indonesia. They withstood the strain of sea travel and a stay of months at Surabaya before we were allotted a rural hospital, where the cases became our furniture.

Ross first gave his testimony of Christ’s saving grace in a neighbouring church, when I was asked to preach. He stood for long then solemnly stated, ‘I love righteousness; and hate iniquity.’ So powerfully that I recall it vividly 55 years later. This has characterised Ross’ ministry.

Our dear friend enjoyed the studies at the Adelaide Bible College, even though his dearest Pauline had gone to Sydney to study for missionary service. He enjoyed the study of Greek, not recognising that the Lord had reserved a unique love for and delight in languages, which would colour his later missionary work in Ghana.

.Ghana released Ross and Pauline to enjoy their delightful family, other missionaries with their children; and the deeply loved indigenous peoples/ For years they cared for 1200 leprosy patients; a remarkable feat., acquiring knowledge of the disabling disease, the effectiveness of the sulphone treatment; and of a people so open to the precious truth of God’s word. Early mornings, Ross tutored some beloved pastors as they prepared their messages to be relayed from ELWA, (eternal love winning Africa ). Eternity will reveal the mysterious in-gathering of precious lives, won from daily short wave transmission, supported by passionate prayer.

Ross and Pauline were attracted to the Concomba people. They often lived among them, observing their manner of life, with each listening to the conversation of their gender. Ross did not realise the Lord’s preparation for his later studies; and this people for a resident Wycliffe bible Translator, pursuing their studies. Ross directed them to the core dialect, which truly reflected the language of the people.

When Ross and Pauline and family returned to South Australia, their vocation as WEC INTERNATIONAL workers expanded their ministry.. Many thanked God for their missionary counsel, vigorously promoting a vision of the unfinished task of world evangelism; their ceaseless bible teaching, and invaluable mentoring.

Ross regularly prayed and studied the Word with men in our home early Saturday morning, richly contributing to the spiritual moulding of lives , some of whom became leaders in the Australian and overseas missionary scene. Others have gone to meet their beloved lord.

God’s Spirit called him to prepare for the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology. He plunged into intense years of study completing his Master’s degree and an excellent Doctorate of Philosophy; in which he contrasted his beloved Concomba language with the Australian, aboriginal Pitjintjara language. Ross’ scholarship opened the way to this prestigious graduate school. God had directed marvellously his cabinetmaker and missionary. His devoted, spiritual life enriched many of the students who regarded him as their Pastor as well as Professor.

Ross was inducted as Pastor in a circuit of seven churches in the Adelaide hills, at which I was deeply privileged to give the Word of God. The parishioners relished the majestic simplicity of Ross’ expositions of God’s Word . Many individual lives were stirred, and drawn into a sweet, fruit-bearing walk with their Lord.

Pauline was always at Ross’ side with that beautiful womanly support and strength.

His dear wife has been a hidden force to Ross as Pastor, missiologist, and field leader. After preaching in the bracing hills air, Gwenda and I relished her home-made soup, the delightful meal and dessert: the constant exchange of truths. Then Pauline insisted that we slept on their warm beds ( for one hour ) prior to returning. Often we carried preserved quinces, my favourite, cherries, blackberries or jam . She was to Ross ‘a good thing, with her price above rubies.’

Ross also visited South Korea, discerning the intense devotion of God’s people. He was rapt with the early morning prayer meetings of the entire church. They differed greatly from the African Christians among whom they had spent a generation. Yet Ross made dear friends among Korean and Japanese believers.

In the battle for preserving evangelical truth, Ross has committed himself as an advocate; standing with his brothers and sisters in the evangelical Movement of the Uniting church; encouraging and exhorting many to ‘Keep the faith, once and for all delivered unto the saints.’

His loving concern for our family have prompted the regular telephone calls or home visits to encourage and pray for each other in our common Lord. I own him as one of God’s special gifts, a brother beloved and a blessing to our lives.

He is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. It is the power of God unto salvation unto all who believe.’