May 4 Today in OPC History

On May 4, 2006, OPC missionary Matthew D. Baugh died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in Haiti, leaving his wife Shannon and five children, ages ten and younger. A graduate of Auburn University and Westminster Seminary California, Baugh was received by the Presbytery of the South of the OPC in December 2004, and called by the Committee on Foreign Missions as an evangelist to Haiti.

The Foreign Missions Committee issued the following memorial on September 26, 2006:

The Committee on Foreign Missions of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church gives thanks to almighty God for the faithful life and service of the Rev. Matthew D. Baugh, who was killed in a traffic accident while en route to meet another missionary to make plans for a season of theological instruction for local pastors and church leaders. Although our brother’s missionary service in Haiti lasted barely a year before our Lord called him home, his zeal for his Savior and his love for the people of Haiti—some of his last words were in Kreyol—were contagious, and his life and ministry had a profound effect upon all those who knew him and grew to love him. We also give thanks to our Lord for the sweet testimony of his wife, Shannon, who, as her husband lay dying in her arms, was able to comfort him with memorized portion of his Savior’s Word and to sing “Whate’er my God ordains is right.” We entrust Shannon and their five children, Andrew, Laura, SaraGrace, Jessica, and Margaret, to the care of their Heavenly Father.

The One who died and came to life again says, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life,” Revelation 2:10. We thank God for our brother’s willingness to walk in the steps of his faithful Master and to go with his family to a nation so deeply in bondage to sin and so desperately in need of the gospel of Christ. May our sovereign Lord bring to the land where our brother died a rich harvest of souls, knowing “that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Mark T. Bube, General Secretary
Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., President