Tribute to Mike Wood

Posted on November 29, 2018

Global Action Remembers Faithful Life of Mike Wood

November 29, 2018 (Oklahoma City)

Global Action lost a dear friend and colleague on November 24 when Reverend Mike Wood went home to be with the Lord. Mike had been pastor of Streatham Baptist Church in London before retiring in 2006 to serve as District Minister for the London Baptist Association until his passing. For years Mike faithfully taught for Global Action in India, Ukraine, and Latin America and served on our UK board.

Mike contributed to our GLOMOS II curriculum with his book on Leadership: Leading the Jesus Way. That title is a fitting description of Mike’s own life and leadership. Whenever he taught, he spoke with conviction that God’s Word changes lives. Jesus Christ was always the focus of his teaching, regardless of what the course subject was. Always a pastor and shepherd, he and his wife Lesley were readily available to pray for our students and come alongside them with encouraging words of wisdom. He leaves a legacy as a great example of an unwavering, lifelong commitment to Jesus Christ and love for people.

Our director in Ukraine wrote this on hearing about Mike’s passing, “There are hundreds of people who know about Mike and Lesley. Their marriage and their relationship were a big influence, as was his teaching. He would always go the extra mile and travel and minister outside the classroom in Ukraine, addressing the needs of Ukrainian pastors. He brought Christ into many lives in Ukraine.” That typified Mike and his ministry wherever he went for Global Action.

In one of his final engagements for Global Action, Mike and Lesley traveled to Honduras and Guatemala in 2017. Our Latin American director said regarding Mike, “He truly reflected how a man filled with the Spirit of God impacted the lives of those who come into contact with him. He taught the scriptures with such love, and at the same time with authority. His love for Lesley was a true reflection of Christ’s love for his bride, the Church. I will always remember how loving and personal he was with each student, making sure he had prayed for everybody. He made all of us feel like we were the most important person in the world to God.”

We are so thankful for Mike Wood’s generosity to Global Action! He gave his valuable time, his obvious talent, and his financial resources to empower leaders in the non-Western world. Global Action exists because of humble servants like Mike. He has changed lives forever and laid up for himself great treasure in heaven.

Our love and prayers continue to go out to Lesley and Mike’s family. We will miss him greatly at Global Action.

Thankful for a life well lived,

Rick Thompson