In coordination with Mrs. Betty Seymour and the Seymour family, the General Missionary Department is pleased to announce the Rev. Don Seymour Memorial Fund. The purpose of this fund is to honor Don’s life and legacy. Contributions to the fund will be used to recruit new missionaries – a cause that we believe Don would be thrilled about!
Anyone donating $100 or more will receive a signed copy of Don and Betty’s book entitled God is Enough. This wonderful book shares the exciting story of Don and Betty’s pioneer missionary ministry in Papua New Guinea. Donations can be made through the giving link below or by sending your contribution to the General Missionary Department at 1553 Lancaster Pike, Circleville, OH 43113.
Don’s life and testimony bear witness to the power of God to achieve more than all we could ask or imagine. He was born in 1936 to Rev. Glen and Daisy Seymour. During a family worship time at the age of six, Don heard the whisper of God saying, “Donnie, I want you to preach for me someday.”
Glen and Daisy led their children in memorizing Scripture, obeying God’s Word, loving others, sharing their faith, and paying their tithes. Upon turning four, Don sang in the family’s gospel music group. They went to church every time the doors were open, but they never seemed to get too much church. They would often play church and have Don preach. In 1948, Rev. Glen Seymour accepted the call to pastor Dexter Road CCCU in Columbus, Ohio. It was there that Don began preaching in church at age 15.
In 1953, Don met Betty Mattox at a church service, and they became good friends. They both attended Mount Carmel School, a Christian high school near Jackson, Kentucky. Missionaries often visited and spoke at the school. Don and Betty were challenged by hearing about the great need for the Gospel to be preached in other lands. After graduation, God led them both to Kentucky Mountain Bible Institute. They fell in love and were married on October 7, 1957.
Following graduation, the Lord called Don and Betty to pastor two churches in the Cambridge, Ohio area - Derwent CCCU and Four Mile Hill CCCU. After four years in Cambridge, Don accepted the call to pastor Lancaster CCCU (now known as Faith Memorial Church). God blessed Don’s ministry in Lancaster immensely. Then, in 1964, just when things were going so well, the Lord gave Don and Betty an unmistakable challenge: “I have chosen you that you should go…” to the island of Papua New Guinea (PNG)! This calling was not just to the highly civilized coastal area but to the Southern Highlands Province in the interior of the country.
Though the prospect of taking three small children to PNG was daunting, the promise of God was clear – they would bear fruit that would remain. On October 31st, 1964, Don and Betty departed from Columbus, Ohio, with their children, Martha, Deborah, and Mark. Their son, David, was born in Goroka, Territory of Papua and New Guinea, in 1966. They claimed the promise of God, “All thy children shall be taught of the Lord and great shall be the peace of thy children.” Isaiah 54:13
The harvest was ready, and thousands of people eagerly received the message of salvation during the next ten years. Rapid growth demanded many more workers, and God sent more missionaries. That great harvest continues to this day, and the work has expanded to include medical, educational, evangelistic, and church planting ministries.
After nine years in Papua New Guinea, Don and Betty once again heard the call of God. This time it was to the Caribbean. Don became the Regional Superintendent, and he oversaw church development, the planting of new churches, and training of ministers. Through those efforts, God has raised up leaders to serve on islands throughout the Caribbean, as well as in the United States.
In 1980, Don was elected to serve as General Missionary Superintendent. This was a challenging and exciting ministry which required the enabling grace of God. During this time, Kid Power and Mission Minded Men were launched. After twelve years as General Missionary Superintendent, Don joined the administration at Ohio Christian University where he served as Vice-President of Advancement. He was then elected to serve as District Superintendent of the Northeast District for eight years. This was followed by pastoral ministries at Praise Memorial CCCU (Circleville, OH), Community Bible Church (Avon Park, FL), and Valleyview CCCU (Columbus, OH).
Rev. Donald Seymour could say with the Apostle Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also who love His appearing.” II Timothy 4:7-8.
We invite you to join us in honoring the life and legacy of Rev. Don Seymour by contributing to the Rev. Don Seymour Memorial Fund. Together, we will raise up the next generation of leaders for the harvest!
