Gordon Macdonald, who died on 11 March, played a significant part in the history of modern Welsh evangelicalism.
Born in Bebington near Liverpool, he was converted in his teens. Although he spoke little Welsh as a youngster, he learnt the language and served as a minister in the Welsh (Wesleyan) Methodist Church.
However, in response to the doctrinal and practical downgrade within the denominations, he gradually became convinced of the biblical case for separation. Due to some remarkable providences, in 1967 he helped to establish the Welsh Evangelical Church at Aberystwyth, and ministered there faithfully until his retirement. This was the first modern Welsh-language church of its kind, and set an example for similar developments in both Welsh and English.
Gordon was particularly notable for his character as a Christian: upright, faithful, hesitant to act without much prayer and searching the Scriptures. He was truly a godly man and by God’s grace he was given Rina, a godly wife, as an ideal helpmeet.
The leaflet at his funeral contained a favourite verse, ‘For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain’ (Philippians 1:21). There is no better summary of his life – or his death.