John William SEARLE

SEARLE, JOHN WILLIAM (b. - Normanby, Yorkshire, England, 29 March 1905; d. Melbourne, Vic, 7 July 1969). Presbyterian minister, lecturer and principal of MBI.

On 15 Jan 1925 Searle arrived in Melbourne on an assisted passage from London, having spent his early years in Glasgow. On arrival he was appointed to a farm in Wangaratta. While on the farm he attended the Baptist Church in Wangaratta and was baptised on 27 Feb 1927. He entered MBI as a student on 25 July 1928 and was senior student in 1929/30. In March 1931 he commenced service as a Presbyterian home missionary in Balranald-Moulamein, NSW. Under the urging of Professor John Gillies (q.v.) he began studies at the University of Melbourne and Ormond College in 1934, while supporting himself through various home mission appointments in the Melbourne area. During his time at the university he was one of the leaders of the EU and in 1935 served as its president. On 16 Dec 1939 he married Alice Lister and was appointed to the Queenstown Parish in Tasmania. Between 1941 and 1946 they had four boys. He joined the staff of MBI as vice-principal in January 1942 and was appointed as principal, in succession to C H Nash (q.v.), in March 1944. At this time he also took over the leadership of Nash's City Men's Bible Class. Over the next twenty five years he played a prominent role in Melbourne evangelical circles, often preaching at the Upwey Conventions, writing for New Life and Glad Tidings, serving on the boards of numerous missionary societies, including CIM/OMF, Christian Leadership Training Centre, Summer Institute of Linguistics/Wycliffe Bible Translators, IVF (President in 1950). In 1948 and 1961 he visited mission fields around the world. He died of a heart attack and was buried on 10 July from St Kilda Presbyterian Church. His one book, a devotional commentary on John's Gospel, transcribed from his lectures, was published posthumously.

The Ambassador, no 61, Winter Term 1969; W S Clack (ed), We Will Go (Melbourne, 1990); J H Searle, Light Life and Love: A Devotional Commentary on John's Gospel (Melbourne, 1975)

STEWART D GILL