BLACKFOOT, Idaho (BP)–Beverly Ballard, a North American Mission Board worker who served with her husband, Jim, as a church planting strategist in the Eastern Idaho Association, died Dec. 23 following an accident at her home in Blackfoot, Idaho.
Timothy Clark, executive director of the Utah-Idaho Southern Baptist Convention, said Beverly was known for her hard-working commitment and sacrificial service and she worked in close partnership with Jim.
“She was soft-spoken, but when she spoke there was a strong sense of the Lord and godly wisdom in what she had to say,” Clark said. “I had a great friendship with Jim and Beverly that went beyond the work we are called to do here. We’ve not just lost a co-worker. We have lost a dear friend.”
Clark said the family has been sustained by the outpouring of prayer and other support since Beverly’s death and are grateful for the words of sympathy and encouragement.
“Jim is more accustomed to being the one giving the encouragement and support,” Clark said. “This is a very different experience for him to be on the receiving end, but he is grateful and appreciative.”
The Ballards began serving the Eastern Idaho Association in March 2006, and prior to that they served in the same capacity for five years in the Color Country and the Rainbow Canyon Associations, also located in the Utah-Idaho convention.
Before entering full-time mission service, Beverly actively ministered in the churches her husband pastored in Colorado, Oklahoma and Nevada.
Richard Harris, vice president of church planting at the North American Mission Board, expressed sorrow at the loss of Beverly and appreciation for the service the Ballards have given Southern Baptists through the years.
“Jim and Beverly have been two of our most faithful and consistent church planting missionaries in the West and Midwest for many years,” Harris said. “Beverly was a model helpmate to Jim as a wife, mother and dedicated missionary for North American missions. I know Jim will continue to carry on with their great legacy of service for their children, for church planters and for other partners in church planting.”
In addition to her husband, Beverly is survived by five daughters, two sons and seven grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Dec. 27.
Memorial donations may be made to the church planting efforts in Eastern Idaho, c/o Dayna Crose, Treasurer, 11255 Augusta Drive, Idaho Falls, ID 83404.
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