Jerold Evan Golston, 1936-2021
IMB Photo

Jerold Evan Golston, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel in Brazil, died Nov. 26, 2021. He was 85.

Golston was born on Oct. 3, 1936, in Sandusky, Ohio, to the late Everett and Sybil Golston and grew up in Macks Creek, Missouri. He graduated from Macks Creek High School. He received the Associate of Arts from Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, Missouri; the Bachelor of Science from Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University, Springfield), and the Master of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri. He was ordained to the ministry at Macks Creek Baptist Church in May 1957.

Golston taught school in Preston, Macks Creek and Cross Timbers, Missouri, also coaching sports in Macks Creek. He served with the United States Army in Germany from June 1959 to June 1961.

He married Verla Roark on August 15, 1964, at High Point Baptist Church in Stoutland, Missouri, where he was pastor. Like Jerry, Verla was interested in international missions. Golston also pastored Olive Point Baptist Church, Preston, Missouri; Harmony Baptist Church, Macks Creek; and Short Creek Baptist Church, Rushville, Missouri.

The Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board) appointed the Golstons as missionaries to Brazil on Oct. 8, 1968. In the state of Ceara, Jerold, assigned as a church planter, helped lay the foundation of 48 churches. According to his family, he traveled throughout the state preaching the gospel and working with churches and leaders.

Golston served as the executive secretary working on strategic planning for Baptist work in Ceara for several years. Along with local Baptist leaders, he helped start the Ceara Baptist Seminary, which used the Alvorada Church, where Golston was pastor, to house the seminary for several years. Golston also worked with many volunteer groups from the United States that helped with church construction.

The state of Ceara granted Golston honorary citizenship in the state, and the city of Fortaleza honored him with citizenship of the city. Golston was named emeritus pastor of Alvorada Baptist Church after leading the church for 15 years.

Jerry and Verla retired from the International Mission Board Sept. 30, 2001, and moved to Frisco, Texas. He was interim pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Anna, Texas, and pastor of the Westminster (Texas) Baptist Church.

Golston is survived by his wife of 57 years, Verla Roark Golston; son Jeremiah Golston (Amy); daughter Rachel Golston; three grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; brothers Gary Golston (Joann) and Ward Golston; and sisters Evelyn Golston, Brenda Atkins (Doral), Beverly Bonner (Henry), Glatha Hooper and Cynthia Sansom (Ray).

A celebration of life was held Dec. 30, 2021, at Stonebriar Funeral Home, Frisco.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Lottie Moon Offering, IMB, 3806 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230, or online at Generosity Resource Center – IMB Generosity

Read an obituary here.