A tribute to a founding father of Redeemer Baptist School

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to present the eulogy at the funeral of one of the founders of Redeemer Baptist School—and thereby to reflect on what makes Redeemer a great school.

Arthur Marsh was born in 1925 and during his long life held positions as a leading aircraftsman in WWII, a fitter, a milkman, and a motor mechanic's assistant Hardly the sort of resume that you would expect of someone who might be interested in helping to found a school!

But Arthur always loved children. In 1966, with his friend John Randall, Arthur was one of the first to promote the newly established World Vision ministry in Australia. In 1974—while collecting payments from a customer on his milk run—Arthur responded to a mother's cry for help which resulted in the long-term, successful extended household ministry in the newly formed Redeemer Baptist Church community.

And in 1994, Arthur and his wife Janet joined with other Redeemer members who sold their houses and gave the proceeds to Redeemer ministries. Arthur and Janet's donations provided the initial deposit for Redeemer's magnificent, heritage North Parramatta school campus.

Arthur is truly representative of the founders of Redeemer Baptist. He was not a man of great learning; he did not have a position of power; during the founding years of the Church and School he was not wealthy. But the Bible says that God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things that are mighty. Throughout his long life, God kept choosing Arthur to be a catalyst for establishing new ministries to help children—through simple, unselfconscious acts of obedience.

And what of the students who benefit from the abundance of love in Christian community and quality learning at Redeemer? They are winning awards in science and literacy and creative arts. They have won Dean's Medals and Vice Chancellor's scholarships. But I pray that they will not become presumptuous and sophisticated in their success. Rather, I pray that generations of Redeemer alumni will imitate those—like Arthur Marsh—who through simple faith and patience change their world for the better.

Russell Bailey, Headmaster, Redeemer Baptist School.