Dr. Paul A. Beals Obituary

Dr. Paul A. Beals, age 88, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. Dr. and Mrs. Beals met at Wheaton College where he graduated in 1945. He graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 1948 and Dallas Theological Seminary with a ThM in 1952 and a ThD in 1964. Together they served as missionaries in Central African Republic with Baptist Mid-Missions (1952-1964). From 1964 to his retirement in 1997, Dr. Beals was Professor of Missiology and Intercultural Studies at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary of Cornerstone University. Meanwhile he served as Consultant with Baptist Mid-Missions. In addition to ministry in North America, he served in several other countries, including Australia, England, Ghana, Guyanna, Hong Kong, Japan, Jordan, Papau, New Guinea, Phillipines, Romania and Thailand. Dr. Beals initiated the Continuing Education Program for missionaries at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary,. The Seminary's Southeast Asia Extension Program grew out of this program. After his retirement, he became Professor Emeritus at the Seminary and Missionary Emeritus with Baptist Mid-Missions. He served as president of Evangelical Missiological Society and was the author of A People For His Name: A Church-Based Missions Strategy. He felt that his greatest achievement was multiplying his ministry by teaching African pastors in training and North American missionaries and pastors in training. He was gratified that some "receiving" countries in the beginning are now "sending" countries. He had chosen for his life verse, Proverbs 3:5-6. Dr. Beals is survived by his wife, Vivian; children, Lois Piercy, Dr. Stephen and Martha Beals, Samuel and Rebecca Beals and Mrs. Beulah Anderson; and nephew, John Archer Beals. He was preceded in death by his brother, Albert Beals and sisters, Marjorie Ruth Beals, Mary Grace Beals and Mrs. Dorothy (Beals) Johnson. The Service of Praise and Thanksgiving for the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ for Dr. Beals will be on Friday, June 1, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at Northland Baptist CHurch, 4162 Hunsberger Ave., NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49525, with Pastor Maynard Belt officiating. Interment in Rockford Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Paul A. Beals Scholarship Fund at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary of Cornerstone University, 1001 E. Beltline Ave., NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 or Northland Baptist Church Missions Fund, Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the Pederson Funeral Home on Thursday, May 31, 2012 from 5-8p.m. The Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford. Published in Grand Rapids Press on May 31, 2012.