Bob Mayo went to be with the Lord on December 18, 2017. He served faithfully at Gospel for Asia for the past 21 years, and his passing leaves a hole in many of our hearts. Known to many around GFA as “Uncle Bob,” he was marked by his gentleness, his humility and by how much he loved others.
He is preceded in death by his dear wife, Alice, who passed away just before Christmas five years ago.
Throughout the years, Bob served in many aspects of Gospel for Asia’s ministry. He led the Missions Department and the Fulfillment Department at different times. He also served in Admissions in School of Discipleship, and taught several classes in the discipleship program. Most recently, he was a Ministry Partnerships representative. His hands have touched countless missionary profiles, linking them with sponsors around the world; he managed people and packages with both love and excellence; and he called, wrote letters to, prayed for and encouraged hundreds of donors and sponsors.
Bob impacted hundreds of Gospel for Asia staff over the years, too.
Susanna, a Gospel for Asia staff member, shared her fondest memory of Uncle Bob: “Dear Uncle Bob, one of the most recent and fondest memories I have of you is when, a few months ago, after Tuesday prayer ended, my baby girl spotted you across the room and made a dash in your direction. She was determined. She very clearly needed a big bear hug from Uncle Bob. She was all smiles when you picked her up, and she happily stayed in your arms til we had to head home. I’m so thankful someone snapped a picture capturing this moment. You will be missed by many, because you loved many. Most of all, you showed us how to simply love the Lord. But we will see you again. And then we’ll never have to say goodbye.”
Jose and his family were next-door neighbors with Bob when they lived on Gospel for Asia’s campus. Bob fondly referred to Jose’s three young daughters as “his prairie pixies” and always enjoyed when they would stop by, play or share a meal.
“When we were next-door neighbors, my daughters, his ‘Prairie Pixies,’ would love to wait for Uncle Bob to arrive and take him dinner in exchange for a hug,” Jose said. “He learned to live to encourage others; even the middle of the busyness of life, Uncle Bob always had time for you.”
Danny Yohannan, vice president of Gospel for Asia, shared, “All of us have different memories and thoughts about Bob from over the years. The many years he was a part of our family and community means so much. My brother-in-law was recently sharing that often times when we pray, the Lord answers not in the way that we think would be best, but in the way that He knows is best. As many of us know, Bob had to say goodbye to his wife Alice many years ago. Although our hearts are sad right now, we can rejoice that Bob is now together with the Lord and with Alice, rejoicing in full health. Today, we can praise the Lord for our brother Bob who gave his life so that so many, whom he will now meet in eternity, could come to know Christ because of the part he played.”
Bob also led several vision tours to the mission field over the years.
Joy, one of his trip teammates, shared, “Several years ago, I had the privilege of visiting Asia in a staff group led by Bob, and I also worked with him some over the years, though not in the same department. I so appreciated his smile, his example of loving others and pouring into their lives, his love and faithful service for the Lord, and his openness and willingness to share what he’d learned in His walk with God.”
Alley, former Gospel for Asia staff member, shared in a Facebook post, “Gonna miss ya, Unca [sic] Bob Mayo… You made my time with GFA full of hugs and friendship. Thankful that we will meet again and that you are finally reunited with Alice and our Lord.”
Andrew, former Gospel for Asia New Zealand staff member, said, “Humble, gentle, kind, faithful. The list could go on of traits that you demonstrated in abundance, Uncle Bob Mayo. I never got to spend as much time with you as I’d have liked, but you sure left an impression on me in the little time we did share. You were and still are loved by many many people, and you will be greatly missed on this side of eternity. Enjoy your well-earned reward!”
Anna, former GFA staff member, calls herself an “adopted niece” of Uncle Bob’s. She shared, “We lost a beloved friend tonight, but he gained a crown. Love you, Uncle Bob. Being your adopted niece was the best. Give Jesus a big hug for me… and Aunt Alice, too. She’s been waiting for you.”
Several years ago, “Make Uncle Bob Happy Day” was initiated by GFA staff members, with the instructions that you were to tell Uncle Bob that he was ‘cute as a button.’ It started as part of an inside joke with one of the young people on staff, and it grew into a way for us all to let Uncle Bob know he was loved.
Bob was a self-appointed Gospel for Asia historian, recording events and happenings, such as the arrival of new staff, marriages, babies, School of Discipleship classes, new relationships and other memorable occasions. He shared that log every year at GFA’s Watchnight Service, which takes place on New Year’s Eve. We enjoyed listening to those reflections on the year, laughing at Uncle Bob’s dry wit and what occasions “made it in” his list, and also praising the Lord for His faithfulness and answered prayers throughout the year.
Bob was an active member of Stonepoint Church in Wills Point, Texas, from the very start of Gospel for Asia’s move to East Texas. You couldn’t get in the doors at the 8:30 a.m. service without a hug from Bob.
After journaling his reflections of a few Sunday sermons on Facebook, the church asked him to start blogging on their website. Bob wrote more than 150 devotional blog posts.
He was also involved in a Bible study group called “Journey Group” that met weekly, as well as the Regeneration Ministry (Regen), a 12-step recovery program, that met every Monday night.
Betty Bachtel, who led Bob’s Journey Group with her husband Coach Mark, shared,
“[Bob] was a gentle giant; so loving. Coach was his Regen mentor. They spent lots of time together over coffee.
“Bob loves animals. He always had to love on them before he ever came in the house for Journey Group. He would be sure to take pics of them, loved to go and feed the baby calves and the cows, and stopped to feed donkeys down the road from our house. He especially loved our Pomeranian who passed away a while back. He would get close to Bob sometimes and lay beside him in Journey Group.
“Bob always led the prayer at end of Journey Group. He would name each request and petition each one to the Lord. And he always prayed for our daughter even though she might not be on the list that night.
“Bob enjoyed dining with us at Journey Group as well. And always with dessert he would have his coffee. His death has left a hole in our heart and an empty seat in our Journey Group family. However, we will see him again one day. That’s a promise!!”
Uncle Bob will be missed, and we miss him already—but for more than his unending supply of chocolate, the Texas Pecan coffee he loved to share, or his big bear hugs. We will miss his example of walking with the Lord, learning from his wisdom, and knowing we were truly loved by him.
We want to leave a legacy like Uncle Bob. He ran the race well, and he ran it to the very end. He got to hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Now, he’s rejoicing in heaven with Auntie Alice. He is worshipping Jesus with other precious people he helped minister the love of Christ to.
If you knew and loved Bob too, please feel free to share your thoughts and memories in the comments below.
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