He Being Dead Yet Speaketh – The Foy Valentine Memorial Fund
By Ross Coggins, Sherwood Forest, MD
Note: A former missionary to Indonesia, Ross Coggins worked with Foy Valentine in Texas BSU work and your revivals, and from 1960-1967 served as his Director of Communications at the CLC in Nashville, then spent the rest of his career in the U.S. foreign service, mostly with USAID.
I am composing this message while flying home from the funeral of Foy Valentine, my cherished friend since 1945. Actually it was more of a celebration than a funeral, as every eulogy and every conversation chronicled the achievements of this gentle man who navigated the world with a finely-tuned moral compass. He combined a loving spirit with a fierce commitment to justice, and the battles he fought usually ended with everyone winning.
Upon his retirement Foy undertook to establish a journal of Christian ethics. Somehow he mobilized the energy and the resources to establish Christian Ethics Today, and from the first issue he worked tirelessly to give it a voice of prophetic excellence. He did it on a shoestring, depleting his own resources and attracting the financial support of a few faithful friends. Those of you who are reading these words will attest to the splendid quality of the articles in every issue.
As Foy`s strength ebbed, he persuaded Dr. Joe E. Trull (recently early-retired from teaching Christian ethics at New Orleans Baptist Seminary) to become the editor. I can recall Foy relating to me how grateful he was that Joe had those rare qualities required to carry forward this prophetic publication—Christian character, intellect, and the competence to “make it happen.”
I related that to Joe after the funeral and expressed the hope that Christian Ethics Today would continue to grow in influence. I expressed the hope that all those whose lives have been touched by Foy`s unique ministry would join in contributing to a trust fund to endow the journal—to enlarge its circulation, stabilize its finances, and keep Foy`s faithful witness alive. (Of course this gift would be over and above our regular support of the Journal).
I also mentioned this to Foy`s dear family and to as many friends as possible. Virtually all responded that there could be no finer memorial to our friend.
Fellow readers, if you share these sentiments:
- Would you please consider making a contribution to this Foy Valentine Memorial Fund?
- Could you also urge your church to consider making a memorial contribution?
- Could you also reach out to your circle of friends to enlist their support?
And let us all remember in the future to continue this support. LET`S MAKE IT HAPPEN!
P.S. Simply note on your contribution, “Foy Valentine Memorial Fund.” All gifts are tax deductible.
