Andrew Butler, who died from cancer in Taiwan on March 2, had served for 40 years with OMF International.
Born to missionary parents in Uganda at the time of the East African Revival in 1949, Andrew was the third generation of the family to serve Christ overseas. He and his sister Anne came to faith early in their lives.
Called to Cambodia
Preparing for student work, studying Mandarin in Taiwan, in 1974, Andrew accepted the call to join a small group of people in Cambodia for just over three months to minister to the people who were coming to Christ in the midst of the onslaught of the Khmer Rouge. Missionaries were evacuated, but many of the Cambodian believers were martyred.
China Evangelical Seminary
Andrew returned to Taiwan and became engaged to Ruth Chen as he was leaving for home assignment. They married in 1978 and their son David was born the following year. Returning to Taiwan, they were assigned to church work, but, in 1981, Andrew was brought into the leadership of the OMF Taiwan Field of which he was director until 1991. A two-year sabbatical of study at OCMS prepared them for future ministry at the China Evangelical Seminary in Taipei, where together they led the Mission Department. The task of preparing Taiwanese and other Asians for missionary service was well suited to their gifts and experience. From 1998-2001, Andrew and Ruth were lecturers at All Nations Christian College in Ware, while their son was at university, before returning to their ministry in Taipei.
This ministry continued until treatment for cancer caused Andrew to stop teaching. Last November, he was able to meet his son’s fiancée, Katie Rees, and her parents, and see his sister for the last time. The funeral took place in Taiwan and the memorial service at the seminary was attended by over 400 people.
