Thanks for the life of Matthew Baugh

Even though we never met Matt Baugh in person, everywhere we go here in Haiti we hear about him. It seems like everyone knew Matt; and if they knew him they loved him. We have come to Haiti not just to take up the work, but to continue the work begun through the labors of our brother Matt Baugh. He was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident last May when God decided his earthly labors were done.

The General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, meeting in Sioux Center, Iowa this June, approved a resolution giving thanks for the life of this saint. And we give thanks as well for the way God has prepared the field for harvest here in Haiti through his labors.

"The Committee on Foreign Missions of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church gives thanks to Almighty God for the faithful life and service of the Rev. Matthew D. Baugh, who was killed in a traffic accident while en route to meet with another missionary to make plans for a season of theological instruction for local pastors and church leaders. Although our brother's missionary service in Haiti barely a year before the Lord called him home, his zeal for His Savior and his love for the people of Haiti - some of his last words were in Kreyol - were contagious, and his life and ministry had profound effect upon all those who knew him and grew to love him. We are also give thanks to our Lord for the sweet testimony of his wife Shannon, who, as her husband lay dying in her arms, was able to comfort him with memorized portions of his Savior's Word and to sing 'Whate'er my God ordains is right.' We entrust Shannon and their five children, Andrew, Laura, SaraGrace, Jessica, and Margaret, to the care of their Heavenly Father.

The One who died and came to life again says, 'Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life,' Revelation 2:10. We thank God for our brother's willingness to walk in the steps of his faithful Master and to go with his family to a nation so deeply in bondage to sin and so desperately in need of the gospel of Christ. May our sovereign Lord bring to the land where our brother died a rich harvest of souls, knowing 'that our labor is not in vain in the Lord,' 1 Corinthians 15:58."