Donald H. Gill, 92, died Thursday evening, November 12, 2020, at Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester, MA.

A much beloved leader in the Christian community for the entirety of his adult life, Don Gill was an active advocate for the role of the Church in every aspect of society. He was frequently found on the campus of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a place where he felt at home, either as a facilitator or a participant, in gatherings of pastors, both large and small. “His desire was to help pastors and church leaders make disciples, and he appreciated the place and ministry of the seminary,” according to his son and ministry partner, Dennis Gill. “His role in the Ockenga Institute and his facilitation of Pastor’s Roundtables, as well as his involvement in the Traits of New England project, were a bridge to the church that Don enjoyed the most.”

Don was always available for a conversation, and his words of encouragement filled each circle he served. His legacy lives on in the hearts and ministries of hundreds of pastors and local churches. Jim Singleton, Associate Professor of Pastoral Leadership and Evangelism, recalls Don’s presence on campus, “I loved his genuine appreciation for the role Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary plays in the renewal of New England. And, his consistent urging to bring to practical life any worthwhile idea designed to enhance evangelism and discipleship in the local church.”  We are indebted to Don for his faithfulness, grace, wisdom, and perseverance. His tenacity about God’s priorities for the local church and the evangelical community will continue on for generations.

He was born April 19, 1928, in Scarborough, Toronto, Canada, the son of William Herbert and Mabel Bradley Gill. After graduating from high school in Canada, he entered Gordon College (then on the Fenway in downtown Boston) where he prepared for the Christian ministry and met and married Beverly (Johnson) Gill of Quincy, MA. They were married for almost seventy years before she died this February.

Don and Bev began a life of full time Christian ministry in Huntington, NY, and Vineland, NJ. Then, after moving to Washington, D.C., Don served from 1955-1964 with the National Association of Evangelicals. After covering a segment of Vatican II in Rome, he became the Associate Editor of World Vision magazine in Los Angeles. “All of this was preparation for the next and largest chapter of his ministry life and perhaps the fulfillment of his highest and truest calling,” according to Dennis Gill.

In 1969 he received the invitation to return to the northeast as Executive Director of the Evangelistic Association of New England (EANE- currently Vision New England) in downtown Boston. “With that invitation was the confirmation from the Lord that this call was his to fulfill. The Scriptural affirmation for this opportunity was from Isaiah 48:19, and this ‘new thing’ was now to be perceived, and Don was determined to join God in it,” Dennis Gill reflects.

As a result, for the past half century, Don served the churches of New England in collaboration with different denominations, both Protestant and Catholic. He is best known for directing the EANE’s signature annual event, the Congress on Evangelism, which gathered Christians from across New England around a vision for renewing the life and ministry of the church. Steve Macchia, Director of Gordon-Conwell’s Pierce Center for Disciple-Building,  followed Don’s years as President of EANE/Vision New England and recounts, “Don’s shoes were impossible to fill. His steadfast commitment to the body of Christ left an indelible impression on the Church in New England. His pioneering spirit opened the door for the New England Church to focus on unprecedented renewal and growth. His legacy lives on.”

After four decades living in Wellesley Hills, MA, and as faithful members of Park Street Church in Boston, they moved to Gloucester where they attended Lanesville Congregational Church on Cape Ann. As his work can only suggest, he was recognized as a man of deep faith in God.

When Dennis and his twin brother Brad were reflecting on their dad’s life, they recounted together 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” That was their dad: steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that nothing you do for the Lord is ever in vain.” On the day he passed, his beloved children and grandchildren spanning 11 time zones were gathered around him virtually as his fight with aggressive prostate cancer came to an end,” according to Dennis. May that legacy be fulfilled in our lives as well. We thank God for the life and service of Donald H. Gill.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, plans are underway for a virtual memorial service on December 10 at 12 noon. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester. All memorial gifts can be donated to the New England Mission Foundation, 11 Hale Street, Newburyport, MA 01950. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.

This remembrance post is adapted from Don Gill’s obituary.