Reg came to stay at Hay Baptist in 1985. I was having a very difficult time and his godliness and love for Jesus Christ made him a strength and encouragement to others. I saw him pray and if there was an obstacle, pray again until God sent him in His direction. I saw him witness of the love of our saviour. This morning I was sharing how Reg let Christ use him to another brother. I decided to so a search and found this page. I had excellent times with Reg and Dorothy. He was rich in the things of God. I am richer for the time I knew Reg and Dorothy.

My name is Keith Wilson, the son of the late Fred and Enid Wilson, and nephew of the late Godfrey & Win Theobald. Reg was a close family friend and stayed at our palce at Tighe's Hill in Newcastle when he was on furlough from Africa. Some years ago, as part of my theological studies, I wrote up the history of the Gospel Fishermen Mission (as a dissertation). You may recall that Reg was on that first gospel van which went out from Newcastle in MArch 1941. He is the last of the original four (Godfrey Theobald, Bill Spiers, Eric Langridge and Reg) to move on to "higher service". When going through "The Gospel Fishermen News" from the early 1940's, I recall reading Reg's testimony that, as a young man, he had an ambition to travel and see the world. However he gave up his ambition to follow the Lord, entering Bible College and subsequently going out on the Gospel Van with the Gospel Fishermen before moving to Senegal in Africa with WEC. The amazing thing is that though he gave up his personal ambition to follow the Lord, the Lord gave him an enormous amount of travel throughout his missionary career - to Africa as a missionary where he met and married a lady from the UK - children subsequenlty at boarding school in Scotland etc. As Godfrey Theobald used to say, "We cannot get into God's debt." Or better still, as Jesus Himself said, "He who loses his life for Me and the gospel will find it." I personally recall Reg as a great guy and a true friend. I am really sorry that I missed his funeral - I only learned of his death and of the funeral literally on the day and hour of the service itself. Had I been at the funeral and had there been an opportunity to share I would have passed on, not only my personal condolences and memories, and those of my wife, but those of Tahlee Ministries (Gospel Fishermen in a former era). So, belatedly I do that now by means of the internet. If any of the family would like a free copy of "Only One Earth Life" (the book which resulted from the dissertation) please let me know and I will forward a copy to you. Reg is in the photographs and features in the chapter on Gospel Vans. Indeed he was present at the Golden Jubilee of the Mission in 1991 where the book was launched (along with Godfrey, Bill Spiers and Eric Langridge). An era has passed. The four evangelists are all together in heaven with all eternity to rejoice together. God bless, Keith Wilson

Peter Ward

13 years ago

Hello Keith. Wow!... It's 6.15a.m. and I'm just about to leave to get on a plane and head to Melbourne (I live in Sydney). For some reason I had the compulsion to look up Godfrey Theobald on Google and see if there were any references to him... and here you are... his son. I had a close relationship with your dad many years ago and would value the opportunity to meet you and chat. I am a Novacastrian by birth (lived most of my life there) so am up there not infrequently to see family. You can contact me on facebook, or preferably via email on peterward@certain-wealth.com. Is "Only One Earth Life" only available to family? Looking forward to hearing from you. Yours in Christ, Peter ward.

Lee Smith

12 years ago

Hi Keith, I just now stumbled across your online tribute. My mother and father Nancy and Douglas Smith, were both involved with Tahlee in the early days and I remember your parents well. I'd love to get a copy of your book if it's still available. Could you contact me on lee.smith@mobiusenvironmental.com.au ? Kind regards, Lee Smith