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- Samuel Frey Wolgemuth, 87
Ex-president of Youth for Christ
February 08, 2002|By Joan Giangrasse Kates. Special to the Tribune.
Samuel Frey Wolgemuth, 87, of Arlington Heights, a former longtime Wheaton resident and founder of the World Council of Youth for Christ International, died Tuesday, Feb. 5, in his home of a neurodegenerative disorder.
"His ministry, although close-knit, was worldwide," said his wife of nearly 64 years, Grace. "Since his death, I have received calls from members in Africa, India, South America and Europe. He impacted the lives of so many young men who have gone on to become leaders in the ministry."
He was born in Mt. Joy, a Mennonite community in Lancaster, Pa.. Mr. Wolgemuth graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Ind., in 1938. He later became pastor of Fairview Avenue Brethren in Christ Church in Waynesboro, Pa., where he served for 13 years and was appointed a bishop in the denomination.
Because his work with the church did not include a salary, Mr. Wolgemuth, a talented auto mechanic, bought Waynesboro Auto Parts in 1948 to help support his growing family. It grew into a four-store chain of NAPA stores that provided a stream of income to him and his family for the remainder of his life in ministry.
Mr. Wolgemuth first encountered Youth for Christ, a worldwide ministry to teenagers, during its 1949 summer convention in Winona Lake, Ind. There he met Bob Pierce, the founder of World Vision.
In 1952, Mr. Wolgemuth joined Youth for Christ and moved his family from Pennsylvania to Tokyo, setting up the triennial Youth for Christ Convocation. In 1955, the family moved to Wheaton, where he became the ministry's vice president for the overseas program.
In 1965, Mr. Wolgemuth was named Youth for Christ's president. During his term in office, he established the World Council of Youth for Christ, giving national leadership to the ministry in 50 countries.
He served as president of Youth for Christ International until 1973. Following his retirement, he was named president emeritus.
Mr. Wolgemuth also served on the boards of directors for The Brethren in Christ Board of Missions, Messiah College, Evangelical Literature Overseas, the National Association of Evangelicals and Taylor University.
Taylor awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1967.
In 1988 and 1996, he also was the administrative pastor of Arlington Heights Evangelical Free Church.
Other survivors include four sons, Samuel C., Kenneth G., Robert D. and Daniel S.; two daughters, Ruth Wolgemuth Guillaume and Debbie Wolgemuth Birkey; 20 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 2:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday and 9 to 10 a.m. Monday in Arlington Heights Evangelical Free Church, 1330 N. Douglas St., Arlington Heights, followed by services at 10:30 a.m. in the church.
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1915 - 2002 (87 years)
