Ronald Edward PASHEN

PASHEN, RONALD EDWARD, (b. Bulimba, Qld, 27 April 1914; d. Brisbane, Qld, 18 Oct 1987). Presbyterian minister.

After completing his secondary school education Ronald Pashen entered the printing trade before responding to a call of God to the Presbyterian ministry in 1935. He served as a home missionary at Crows Nest, Townsville and Thursday Island, where he was m. to Alice Ross of Townsville. Following the completion of training for the ministry in Emmanuel College Brisbane, he was ordained to the ministry at Ashgrove on 8 Dec 1943. In 1948 he was called to the historic St Paul's, Brisbane, where he ministered, until his retirement in 1979.

As convenor of the Assembly Spiritual Life and Work Committee his leadership and enthusiasm were strong influences in the decade of evangelistic activity in the Presbyterian Church which followed the united Hyman Appelman Campaign of 1948. In 1950 Welsh evangelist, D O Calvin Thomas undertook New Life missions. This was followed by the appointment of H J Whitney as assembly evangelist. The decade culminated in the Billy Graham crusades of 1959, 1961. On the formation of the UCA in June 1977, he elected to remain a minister of the Presbyterian Church. As a man of broad sympathies, he wished the Uniting Church well, while praying that those remaining in the PCA would enrich their heritage from the past by their dedication for the future.

Throughout his ministry, he constantly sought to reach out to the community, being frequently quoted on social and community questions. He represented the Qld Council of Churches on the Senate of the University of Qld, and served on the Committee of the Qld Lawn Tennis Association. His special interest in reaching young people was evidenced by his convenorship of the Assembly's Youth committee and his association with the Police Youth Club as chaplain, director, and honorary life member. He exhibited some facility in writing verse, the best-known example being a hymn written for the Captain Cook bicentenary celebrations in 1970, in which his spiritual fervour and his pride in his native state are evident.

In recognition of his service to youth and the church, he was appointed MBE 1963. The Qld Presbyterian Assembly minuted in 1988:

'Ron was a man of a great and simple faith, which he sought to express as a pastor, a husband, a father, and a friend. In all things, he sought to defend his Master's and Lord's honour, even when it meant standing against the crowd.'

NORMAN T BARKER