Retired IMB VP, ‘MasterLife’ creator Avery Willis dies

Retired IMB VP, ‘MasterLife’ creator Avery Willis dies

Avery T. Willis Jr., a former Southern Baptist missionary and administrator who is perhaps best known as the creator of “MasterLife” discipleship training materials, died July 30 after a seven-month battle with leukemia. He was 76.

Willis retired as senior vice president for overseas operations of the International Mission Board (IMB) in 2004 after 11 years in that role. Prior to that appointment, he led the adult discipleship training department at the Sunday School Board (now LifeWay Christian Resources).

“His passion for engaging unreached people groups led in directing orality strategies among multiple mission agencies,” said Jerry Rankin, who retired as IMB president Aug. 1.

“It would be impossible to comprehend this side of heaven the extent of global evangelization that will continue to sweep the world because of Avery’s witness, leadership and influence among Southern Baptists, national Baptist conventions around the world and other Great Commission partners,” he said.

Born in Lepanto, Ark., Willis received a bachelor of arts degree from Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) in Shawnee and master of divinity and doctor of theology degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theolgoical Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He also received two honorary doctorates from OBU and Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Willis served as pastor of churches in Oklahoma and Texas for 10 years.

Following his years as a pastor, Willis and his wife, Shirley, were appointed as missionaries to Indonesia, where they served from 1964 to 1978.

Willis devoted the first six years of his missions service to evangelism and church planting. He spent the next eight years with Indonesia Baptist Theological Seminary. He was a professor at the seminary for two years and its president for six years, during which time he wrote the “MasterLife” series.

“MasterLife,” a set of discipleship handbooks, has been translated into more than 50 languages and used in more than 100 countries.  

“The author of ‘MasterLife’ is with the Master,” said Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay. “Avery Willis was a Baptist statesman ‘par excellence.’ His contribution to the cause of missions and missions education will have sustained impact for generations to come. He will be missed by all, and my prayer is that the Lord raises up others to continue where he left off for the cause of global missions and Kingdom growth. I remember with gratitude the value of his ministry to my own life, especially through ‘MasterLife’ and his insightful book ‘Biblical Basis of Missions.’”

In January, Willis was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. But doctors were surprised by a quicker-than-expected remission in February, which allowed Willis to return his attention to discipleship. During the next several months, he campaigned for a return to the Bible storying form of discipleship.

Willis is survived by his wife; five children; 15 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.  

(Compiled from wire services)