Pastor Wendell K. Grout, Founder of Blue Ridge Bible Church, Dies at 93

Pastor Wendell K. Grout, who passed away on January 25, 2024, at the age of 93, was a dedicated servant in the Christian ministry. Born on May 8, 1930, in North Branch, Kansas, he grew up on a farm and later attended high school in Esbon, Kansas, graduating in 1948. Wendell pursued his undergraduate studies in Bible and Theology at Kansas City Bible College, which is now known as Calvary University. He later earned an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the same institution in 1996.

Wendell met his wife, Leila Mae Brezina, while in high school, and they were married on August 26, 1949, at Esbon Fundamental Church, where Wendell had become a Christian a few years earlier. Together, they raised five children, including one daughter and four sons. Throughout his career, Wendell was widely known as Pastor Grout, serving as a pastor and leader in several churches over nearly five decades.

He pastored for nineteen years at Blue Ridge Bible Church in Kansas City, Missouri, five years at Lake Harriet Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and twenty years at First Alliance Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. After retiring from full-time ministry, he continued to serve local churches through pulpit supply and as an interim pastor at Lifespring Covenant Church in Loveland, Colorado.

Pastor Grout had a deep passion for preaching, believing in the importance of delivering “the whole counsel of God.” He often preached through the entire Bible, helping his congregations understand the major themes and messages of each book. In the 1970s, he hosted a weekly radio Bible program on KTIS in Minneapolis. He was also a sought-after evangelist and conference speaker, traveling extensively throughout the United States and Canada. He frequently spoke at camp meetings, colleges, and youth conferences, including the LIFE Conference of the Christian and Missionary Alliance.

His ministry extended internationally, as he visited numerous countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. He encouraged missionaries and spoke to national churches, and he led several tours of the Holy Land. His wife, Leila, occasionally joined him on these trips, though she preferred to stay behind for most of them. His commitment to spreading the Gospel and supporting Christian missions left a lasting impact on the communities he served.

Source: Read the original report