Robertson McQuilkin, a man whose life was motivated by a passion for world evangelization, passed on to his eternal reward on June 2, 2016. Robertson McQuilkin’s legacy for world missions and Christian marriage is renowned.
Robertson McQuilkin
Heralded as a missionary statesman, he served as headmaster of Ben Lippen School, a missionary to Japan, and the longest serving president of Columbia International University (CIU). To many, he is best remembered as an accomplished Christian leader who gave up his presidency to care for his first wife, Muriel.
When Robertson married Muriel, he made vows he intended to keep. Photo courtesy of CIU
An Unexpected Opportunity
After graduating from CIU (where his father served as the first president) and receiving a Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, Robertson McQuilkin set out to make a difference in this world. He caught a glimpse of God’s passion for this world while a student at CIU. McQuilkin admits, “That passion of God is what transformed me into being cause-oriented.”
His first job was headmaster of Ben Lippen School. His calling, however, was the mission field. But Ben Lippen flourished and grew under his leadership and became a center for sending young people to the mission field. When God opened the doors, McQuilkin and his wife, Muriel, relocated to Japan with six children to pursue his passion, missions.
At the young age of 25, Robertson McQuilkin took control of a struggling Ben Lippen School and turned it around. Today, it has two campuses and serves more than 700 students. Photo courtesy of CIU
An Unexpected Visit
The McQuilkins spent 12 years in Japan where he planted churches including Grace Church in Tokyo. According to Martha Hoke, a fellow missionary in Japan, “The Japanese loved and respected his Christian life, his respect for them, and how he treated his wife and family.” Those 12 years ended when the chairman of the Presidential Search Committee of CIU flew to Japan with an opportunity that kept McQuilkin in a state of fasting and prayer for three days—an opportunity to lead CIU and its Graduate School of Missions. The field council in Japan agreed he should go, but only if he would send 50 workers back to serve.
In the first five years of his presidency at CIU, he lived up to his promise and sent 50 trained missionaries back to Japan. He served for 22 years in this position while enlarging and updating the campus, integrating the campus and expanding its influence, beginning a Christian radio station, and prayerfully employing some of God’s most dedicated professors to mentor the next generation of Christian leaders and missionaries.
CIU currently has over 17,000 alumni serving in over 150 countries. My husband and I are among those alumni who can attest to what this university did for our family, our faith, and our careers.
Robertson and Muriel McQuilkin in their earlier years. Photo courtesy of CIU
An Unexpected Nickname
Robertson McQuilkin poured his life into many students during his presidency. My husband and I considered it a privilege to glean wisdom from his classes and from the faculty he hired. McQuilkin and many of the professors knew that I was attending CIU against my own father’s wishes. My father did not feel CIU was the proper place for his daughter to be educated, so I waited tables to work my way through.
After a spiritual transformation, my father, Harry Dent, left his legal and political career serving a senator and three presidents to enter the forbidden place, CIU, at age 50. McQuilkin was one of the first to welcome him and mentored my father preparing him for ministry. Out of gratitude and respect for his spiritual authority and dedication to the Scriptures, my father affectionately nicknamed McQuilkin, “The Pope.” My parents both chose him to preach their memorial services which were held at CIU. He served as a guiding light to our family during difficult times.
An Unexpected Illness and Announcement
The Christian world was shocked when Robertson McQuilkin announced that he was leaving as president of the institution he loved for a greater cause—to care of his wife Muriel who was declining with Alzheimer’s Disease. It was an example of a man loving his wife as Christ loves the church. His resignation sent shock waves around the world thereby changing his title from president to caregiver.
Below are his moving words as he announced to the faculty and students at CIU that the time had come for him to be at her side full time. He called it, “One of the simplest and clearest decisions of my life,” because “I promised in sickness and in health ‘till death do us part,’ and I’m a man of my word.” As he continued, there was a sea of silence:
It’s the only fair thing. She sacrificed for me for over forty years, to make
my life possible . . . so if I cared for her forty years, I’d still be in debt . . .
It’s not that I have to, It’s that I get to. . .
It’s a great honor to care for such a wonderful person.
His ministry to Muriel spoke volumes to husbands and wives around the world who asked themselves, “Do I love my spouse that much?” Yet, he never intended that he be the example.
An Unexpected Question
A student asked him one day, “How are you adjusting to your new life?” He responded, “I’ve learned how to cook, keep house and garden, and take care of Muriel. I love it.”
I’ll never forget when he spoke at my church and after serving him lunch in our home, he asked, “Ginny, do you have any good recipes to share, low fat, of course.” I never thought “The Pope” would spend the day with my husband and me and discuss such things. I marveled how Robertson McQuilkin was joyously blooming where God had planted him during this season of his life.
CIU President Bill Jones and faculty and students celebrate the 83rd birthday of Robertson McQuilkin. Photos by Renee Ittner-McManus/rimphotography.com
An Unexpected Outpouring
Robertson McQuilkin’s one desire was summed up in this question, “How can I (in whatever circumstances) count to the max for what He’s up to in this world?” It was during this time away from the workplace and while caring for Muriel that he poured his wisdom into books as a blessing to many.
In 1992 he wrote Understanding and Applying the Bible which is an introduction to Biblical hermeneutics. In 1995 he published An Introduction to Biblical Ethics, and in 2000, Life in the Spirit. These three books have sold around 100,000 copies each, but his most well-known book, A Promise Kept and the articles and interviews emanating from it have been circulated all over the world. Other popular titles include The Great Omission in 2002 and Five Smooth Stones in 2007.
A book written by Robertson McQuilkin about the story of his enduring love for his wife, Muriel McQuilkin.
An Unexpected New Direction
In 2003, Muriel passed on with Robertson lovingly at her side. Robertson admitted in the week after her death, “I struggled with whether I should be grieving my loss or celebrating Muriel’s gain.” After her passing, CIU honored him with the title, President Emeritus. In his last years, he’s offered wisdom to CIU presidents and served as the most popular chapel and class speaker.
The three former presidents and current president of CIU worked together to advance the school’s mission. From right to left: Robertson, Dr. Johnny Miller, Dr. George Murray, and Dr. Bill Jones. Photo courtesy of CIU
In 2005, he married a former CIU graduate and professor at the University of SC School of Nursing, Deborah Jones. I was amazed to see their updates as they traveled and spoke, sharing their passion for world evangelization. They served God’s purpose wherever He opened the doors. There is no retirement for those who serve God. In this phase of life, Deb served as his faithful companion and at times, his caregiver.
Deb and Robertson enjoyed 11 years together. Deb brought laughter back into his life. Photo courtesy of CIU
An Unexpected yet Well-Deserved Award
My husband and I were present in Charlotte, NC, when Robertson McQuilkin was awarded the 2010 Lifetime of Service Award from Missio Nexus. It was a fitting award for a man after God’s own heart who lived his life dedicated to world evangelization. I chuckled when I remembered the conversation I had with this spiritual giant when I sang at his daughter’s wedding. He leaned over and said to me, “I can’t wait to see Jan and Terry (Fulks) on the mission field.” I leaned back and said, “But Mr. McQuilkin, “Isn’t it God who does the calling?” “Oh, sure,” he responded.
Who can fault a man who desires that all his children serve on the field? And when he left Japan, little did he know, his own daughter Amy with her husband Ron Barber would one day serve on that very same soil. Little did he know that he would have a part in sending many missionaries throughout the world.
Robertson McQuilkin receives the Lifetime of Service Award from Mission Nexus in 2010. Picture courtesy of CIU
An Unexpected Desire
During Muriel’s long illness, he wrote a poem from his book A Promise Kept called “Let me Get Home before Dark.” It tells of his desire to finish well and it continues to inspire many today who face trials and struggles.
But I do fear
I fear the dark specter may come too soon
Or do I mean too late?
That I should end before I finish or finish but not well?
That I should stain Your honor.
Shame your name, grieve your loving heart.
Few, they tell me, finish well.
Lord, let me get home before dark.
Robertson McQuilkin lived an unexpected, remarkable life. By serving God and his family faithfully with a simple lifestyle and a humble spirit, his fingerprints can be seen throughout this world. Yes, he did get home before dark with his wife Deb lovingly at his side.
Deb Jones McQuilkin was Robertson’s faithful wife who also served as his caretaker as he declined in age just as he did for Muriel. Picture courtesy of CIU
To learn more about Ginny visit her website
Thanks for your friendship and these wonderful thoughts. Great summary of their lives, love, and commitment. Will copy and place in his book that has been a great ministry to me and my wife.
Robertson McQuilkin is my father.
The photo you show above of the married couple on the steps of a church in wedding attire, is not my father nor my mother. Perhaps you should change the caption to read “Random couple getting married”.