Eric William NORGATE

NORGATE, ERIC WILLIAM (b. Melbourne, Vic, 21 June 1910- d. Sydney, NSW, 23 Jan 1989). Missionary in China and to Asians in Australia.

Eric Norgate's life divides neatly into four periods: the first 23 years before he went to China with the CIM, some 18 years' service there until his expulsion with all other foreign missionaries in 1952; a further 23 years as NSW secretary of the mission, by then renamed the Overseas Missionary Fellowship, and finally seven 'retirement' years as pastor of the St Ives Baptist Church. His career was marked by two significant terms of imprisonment. In 1951-2 with three fellow-missionaries, he was arrested as an 'American spy' and held for five months under strict house arrest by the Chinese communists. The last to be released, he was eventually re-united in Sydney with his wife Jean and four children. Then in 1984 his time pastoring the St Ives congregation was cut short by a severe stroke which left him paralysed and speechless for the last four years of his life—a drastic further 'imprisonment', faced like the first with cheerful acceptance and courage. While under house arrest he had written: 'One of life's greatest tasks is to accept what you cannot understand, and you can do even that, if you are sure of God's love'.

Converted at the age of 17, Eric Norgate determined early to serve God in China. Work as an accountant was followed by brief training at MBI. He was accepted by CIM and sailed for China in 1933; there he married Jean Corbett in 1938. They worked through the war years in the south-west province of Guizhou among Han Chinese and the tribal group known as the Big Flowery Miao. Eric wrote The River of God about their eager response to the gospel. He became CIM secretary for the region, facing great dangers and responsibilities as the communists advanced.

On his return to Australia, Norgate became the OMFs NSW Secretary, travelling extensively around the state enlisting and encouraging missionaries and the essential prayer and financial support. Because of his love for people, he was always an effective personal evangelist. Particularly significant was his work as a founding member and, with Jean, tireless encourager of the Overseas Christian Fellowship, a ministry by and to Asian students in Australia, whereby thousands have come to know Christ and been nurtured in the faith.

Eric Norgate retired from the OMF in 1976. He held lightly to denominational labels; originally confirmed as an Anglican, he had been asked on his return from China by Archbishop Mowll, himself an ex-missionary to China, to consider Anglican ordination. But Norgate preferred the Baptists, and to remain a layman. He was a greatly loved pastor, especially as a Scripture teacher at the North St Ives primary school.

Obituary articles in On Being and New Life; his widow Jean and others.

LESLEY K HICKS