MISSIONARIES IN MEMORIAM
Ruth Bower Harmon
Robert Thompson
Ruth Bower Harmon was an amazing woman! Born in 1914, she served the Lord in Brazil from 1936 to 2009 -- 73 years as a missionary in Brazil.
In 1935, she married Charles Harmon, and the young couple of the Battle Creek Bible Church. The martyrdom of Arthur Tylee--who ministered with Nambiguara Indians in interior Brazil--caused them to answer God’s call to Brazil. This team for God served in arduous and challenging tribal missions for many years. Over the years, the Lord gave them four children: Virginia, John, George, and Joía (see photo above). The work among the Indians was halted when Ruth was stricken with polio, in 1953. Undaunted, the family returned to Araçatuba, São Paulo, where they had various radio programs in seven cities, and other ministries; they founded churches, among them the Araçatuba Bible Church.
Sons John and George Harmon started a Bible Institute that flourished (now known as the Bible Seminary of Evangelization (SBE), and Ruth joined them in this growing teaching and counseling ministry. In 1991, her husband went to be with the Lord, followed by daughter Joía in 1999. Using her wheelchair, Ruth was still able to teach, counsel, and encourage—a real thrill and challenge to her.
When her health began to decline, she lived with son John and Ana Harmon; loved ones and helpers faithfully attend to her needs. Her indomitable faith and spirit and sweet smile encouraged others. On March 12, 2009, Ruth Harmon quietly passed into the presence of the Lord whom she had loved and served so faithfully.
Both Ruth and her husband, Charles, were blessed to see their entire family in ministry for the Lord. Ten churches have been founded and established and others are in the making. Four generations of the Harmon family are involved in the Bible school and camp ministries, and in church planting and related ministries.
"TO GOD BE THE GLORY!"
ROBERT RAYMOND THOMPSON
1928-2009
Robert R. Thompson was born on a farm in Minnesota and went to his eternal abode at age 81 on the same farm! He was a co-founder of the Brazil Inland Mission. In 1954, he and his wife Alice entered as missionaries in the then jungle area of Umuarama in the state of Paraná in southern Brazil. He worked with local officials in that town, evangelized and planted churches in the area, founded the Christian Grade School, and taught in it for many years. They formed a team in these various ministries. He and Alice also founded the Southern Theological Bible Seminary in 1968, and Bob was the Director and President of the same school. Both Bob and Alice taught for twenty-seven years and prepared countless Brazilians for ministry and church lay-men. The elementary school in Umuarama continues to this day, and the now Thompson Theological Bible Seminary, continues in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, where it was moved in 2000. They observed the city of Umuarama grow to a modern city of over 110,000 during the course of their ministry!
In 1996, after forty-three years of active missionary service, they returned to remain in Minnesota on the Thompson homestead. He was the son of a farmer, and his delight was to work in the soil. As semi-retired missionaries, they continued work with the Brazil Inland Mission both in publications and as “Missionaries At Large.” He was also Interim Pastor of the rural home church where he began attending as an infant in his mother’s arms.
On June 23, 2009, he was transported to heaven quite suddenly while he was working in the yard. One week later, friends and family gathered for a glorious funeral service. He shall always be known for his passion for souls, his fervent messages, his love for family, the Brazilian people, and for his hometown church. The city of Umuarama remembered him as well, and honored him with four days of mourning with flags at half-mast the day of the funeral service itself. The Thompsons served the Lord for over 55 years together. The legacy left in Brazil continues in the lives of their son David Thompson and family as well as in the lives of the many who were students and friends."I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
2 Timothy 4:7
Brazil Inland Mission, Inc.
PO Box 1152
Wheaton, IL 60187-1152
Home
| About BIM | Directors | History & Roots |
Opportunities | Missionaries | National Pastors / Missionaries
Pioneer Missionaries | Ministries Locations |
Map of Brazil | Doctrinal Statement |
Principles and Practices | Publications |
Contact BIM
© 2000-2009 Brazil Inland Mission Inc.