Ralph SAYCE

SAYCE, RALPH (b. Dymock, Gloucestershire, England, 1885; d. Beerwah, Qld, 6 April 1956). Baptist minister.

Ralph Sayce migrated with his parents to Queensland in the 1890s and spent the remainder of his childhood at Gracemere, near Rockhampton. Receiving only a minimum of formal education, he took up farming at the age of 14. Moving to Rockhampton, he came in touch with the Christian Endeavour movement through which he came to personal faith and found many opportunities for informal training and Christian service. He became a member of the Rockhampton Baptist Church from which he entered the Baptist Home Mission, his first appointment being in 1909 as assistant to the minister at Beaudesert. In 1911, he opened up Baptist work in the Wondai district, establishing eight preaching stations in the first year. During this time, he received theological training through the Qld Baptist College and was ordained in 1914. After four years at Clayfield, he served as military secretary of the Australian YMCA and also as a military chaplain, being abroad with the forces for 19 months. In later years he was appointed as Senior Chaplain Northern Command.

After the war, he resumed pastoral ministry at Fairfield, where he was known for his untiring zeal, faithfulness and devotion. He served as president of the Baptist Association in 1922-3, taking as the theme for his presidential address, 'The Progressive Church'. He held various other positions, including foreign mission secretary. His administrative ability led to his appointment as honorary secretary of the Baptist Union of Qld in 1926. He retained the pastorate at Fairfield up to 1934, when he became full time general secretary, a position he held until 1955. From 1934-1948 this position included the role home mission superintendent.

Closely associated with other outstanding officials such as W R Smith and A E Bickmore, he gave solid, reliable and authoritative leadership to his denomination through difficult times; having a great capacity for work, and being painstaking, methodical and disciplined in his administration, he never spared himself in his labours. He was honoured with the presidency of the Baptist Union of Australia 1938-41 and life membership of the Baptist Union of Qld in 1953. In July 1955, he represented his state at the 9th Baptist World Congress held in London, England, but returned home ill, dying early the next year. Sayce never married, having suffered a disappointing romance in his early ministry.

DAVID PARKER