VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS)-Word has been received of the death of the Rev. Dr. John Wesley Forsline, a former leader in American Baptist regional ministries. Forsline, 77, died Feb. 20 in Bloomington, Minn. Forsline was the chair of Minnesota's ABC Ministers Conference, and served several pastorates in the state, including Calvary Baptist Church in Minneapolis. He also held regional leadership roles in Iowa and North Dakota. Forsline was active in ministries promoting religious freedom and social justice, and worked with the Baptist Joint Committee. In remembering Forsline, Dr. Robert H. Roberts reflected, "I met Wes through his very close personal friend, Emmett Johnson. Wes was a very gentle man. He was a strong evangelical with a passion for religious liberty." A memorial service was held Feb. 25 at Calvary Baptist in Minneapolis. He is survived by his wife, Gwen, and three children.
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches, USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/