ELKHART, Ind. (Mennonite Mission Network)—Ross Goldfus, a pastor, teacher, businessman, and a mission worker in Argentina for 18 years, died Monday, Aug. 13, in Manheim, Pa. He was 89.
Goldfus and Ruth, his wife of 65 years, served in Argentina with a Mennonite Mission Network predecessor agency from 1955 to 1973. During that time, they supported churches in Tres Lomas and Salto that had been started by earlier mission workers, and began a new congregation in La Plata. They returned to Argentina for a year in1988. From Bragado, Goldfus provided continuing education for Argentine pastors.
Argentina remained in their hearts after returning to Pennsylvania. Through their involvement at Neffsville Mennonite Church in Lancaster, Pa., they contributed significantly to the formation of a partnership involving a cluster of Atlantic Coast Conference churches, Mennonite Mission Network, and the Argentina Mennonite Church mission program. The project, called the Visión Evangelística y Misionera de la Zona Oeste (Evangelistic Vision for the Western Zone), is located in the part of Argentina where they had served.
“I have fond memories of the joy of Argentine Mennonites reuniting with Ross and Ruth, and the gentle spirit with which they both encouraged others in developing cross-cultural relationships,” said Linda Shelly, Mission Network director for Latin America. “Ross will long be remembered for his love, compassion, humility and friendship.”
Goldfus was born in Manheim Township to the late J. Ross and Lizzie (Martin) Goldfus.
After World War II, he was involved with children’s programs in France and Italy through Mennonite Central Committee. He later went to Argentina as a mission worker.
Following ministry in Argentina, he pastored at Zion Mennonite Church in Birdsboro, Pa., for five years, and then worked as a director of pastoral services for five years at the Philhaven, a mental and behavioral health care provider in Pennsylvania. He also served as conference minister for the Atlantic Coast Conference and as interim minister at several churches. He was a charter member of Neffsville Mennonite Church.
In 1977, he released his memoir A Man without God is Nothing, which provides an account of how friendship deepened his faith.
He enjoyed music, reading, and playing golf.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Joe, husband of Tobi (Brenneman) Goldfus in Frederick, Md.; Anita, wife of Randy Heller, Lititz, Pa.; John, husband of LuAnn (Fellenbaum) Goldfus, Elizabethtown, Pa.; a sister, Frances Brubaker, Lititz; and two grandchildren, Nathan Goldfus and Jennifer Heller.
A memorial service was held at Neffsville Mennonite Church on Monday, Aug. 20. Interment will be at Akron (Pa.) Mennonite Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
The family has set up a memorial fund to be used by the Argentina Mennonite Church to help with special needs of Argentine pastors. Contributions may be sent to Mennonite Mission Network, P.O. Box 370, Elkhart, IN 46515-0370, identified as “LA 255 Goldfus Memorial.”
###
For immediate release.
Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact Andrew Clouse at andrewc@mmnworld.net, 574-523-3024 or 866-866-2872, ext. 23024.
