Page 5 - June 2025 - Truth & Tidings

t was the longest procession of cars and his study bore fruit in his ministry
wending its way to a cemetery that and involvement in Bible readings. There
II have ever seen. And it represented was always substance and freshness to
only a fraction of those who attended the whatever he provided to the believers. He
funeral. He was held in high esteem. was diligent in all that he did, as well as
David Oliver went home to heaven very being very demanding of himself, never
suddenly on Feb 26, 2025. He was born content unless he was giving the very best
David W. McCracken on June 26, 1944, in that he could, whether to a small assembly
New Brunswick, Canada, and the early or a large conference. He maintained an
homecall of his father and his mother’s extensive network of individuals whom
later remarriage to William Oliver saw him he counseled and encouraged. He was
relocate to Bryn Mawr, PA, USA. Here, on marked by such openness that many
April 16, 1961, he was reached and saved, considered him in the circle of their best
thus beginning a life-long pursuit of know- friends. Whether studying God’s Word,
ing God and living to please Him. preaching or establishing friendships, he
While still teaching at a local high school, was never shallow or superficial. He was
he spent summers laboring with Mr. Albert always “all in.”
Ramsay in PEI. Later, he met his life-long When circumstances changed, he contin-
partner, Melody. On January 29, 1966, they ued to pour himself into serving wherever
united in marriage and embarked on their he could. In fellowship with his home as-
extraordinary journey together. The family sembly, Bryn Mawr, PA, he and Daniel
welcomed a son, Rob, in 1972, John Nobles Baker had several outreach efforts and
in 1973, and Rebekah (Nesbitt) in 1974. were planning some home Bible studies
His zeal for souls led to his abandoning to reach souls when he was called home.
his secular employment and launching He also sought to help a neighboring as-
out in 1974 into the work of the Lord. One sembly, Olney, in their weekly Bible read-
distinctive feature of his early gospel efforts ings. His wish was to cross the finish line
was the mentoring of many young men in in full stride. Characteristically, he had just
tent work in the Coxsackie, NY, area and in returned from a conference in Deland, FL,
Dinwiddie County, VA. A number of those when he was taken from us. Our automatic
so mentored have gone on to be responsible reaction is to speak of his untimely death.
brethren in many assemblies or followed But he would correct me and remind me
his path into the work of the Lord. that God is always on time. He fulfilled his
His labors in the gospel and in the min- course and awaits his day of reward, in the
istry of God’s Word took him across N. presence of the Savior he loved.
America, the UK, Malaysia and Singapore. A.J. Higgins
He saw many saved as he heralded the That Cruel Tree
message. One person mentioned that she
had never heard such powerful preaching He’s the Lord, the great I AM,
before, despite being raised among assem- Crowned with thorns by hateful man,
blies. He labored with many brethren, too Lifted on a cross for all to see His shame.
numerous to mention, but especially with Sneering, they blasphemed His Name.
Gene Higgins. Standing ‘round, they mocked His claim,
Numbered with two thieves, nailed to that
He was a diligent student of God's Word, cruel tree.
Continued on p. 180
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