Tom Houston was one of the most highly-gifted leaders of his generation. He led three movements of global reach, bringing a fine mind to analysis and strategy, and an unusual gift in preaching.
Tom grew up in Dumbarton, on the Clyde, and read Classics at Glasgow University. From teenage years he was a keen member of Glasgow Youth for Christ, and through YFC he met his future wife, Hazel Findlay. At the age of 23 he was appointed pastor of Johnstone Baptist Church, while completing a BD, and teaching Greek to undergraduates. From there he became Chaplain of Quarriers Homes in Bridge of Weir, ministering to 500 deprived children, as well as 150 epileptic patients, and 250 staff.
In 1959, aged 31, Tom was invited to become the first pastor of Nairobi Baptist Church. His 12 years in Kenya included much political upheaval: the Mau-Mau rebellion was largely quelled, but the country remained under British rule until 1964.
Tom Houston’s expository preaching was formidable, bringing scripture alive in trenchant ways, engaging the heart and the mind, always with an eye to the listeners’ wider personal and political contexts. Over these years, the church grew from 40 members to a 1,000, drawing congregations of 1,500. A new church, a hall and a kindergarten were built during this time, all financed locally without funds from the West.
Return to UK
In 1971 the family returned to the UK and Tom began work as Communications Director, then Director, of the British and Foreign Bible Society. In 1976 he oversaw the publication of the UK Good News Bible, followed by a Concordance. Under his leadership, the Victoria property was sold and the Bible Society moved to Swindon, releasing funds for the worldwide work.
The next five years, to 1988, were spent as President (CEO) of World Vision International, based in greater Los Angeles, and working across 185 countries and territories. From 1989 Tom Houston served as International Director of the Lausanne Movement, giving leadership to its second Congress, in Manila. This Congress proved historic in welcoming participants from the dissolving Soviet Union: the first time they had participated in an international gathering.
Tom Houston was instrumental in issuing four invitations to Billy Graham to come to the UK, and edited Mission Praise (1984) which became widely-used. His own five books enabled readers to encounter characters from the Bible in radically fresh and perceptive ways, and merit new editions.
The Bible speaks of ‘role’, not ‘rank’, he wrote in My Story with Governance. He had no sense of self-importance in the roles he held, always pressing his gifts into service, for God’s glory.
He died in Oxford on 4 June 2024, aged 96. His thanksgiving service will be at 2pm on Friday 28 June, at St Andrew’s Church, Oxford OX2 6UG. It will be live-streamed and made available afterwards on www.standrewsoxford.org
