Hundreds gathered at the Peabody hotel on Monday, July 23, 2012 for the climactic banquet where local church award winners were recognized and a special tribute was given to outgoing Director of World Missions Douglas LeRoy and his wife, Wanda. Upon the completion of his tenure on July 27, LeRoy ended 30 years of ministry dedicated to the missionary enterprise of the church.
By Bill George
Offering tributes were the LeRoys’ close friend Aubrey Maye, their daughter, Dara Carroll, and Assistant General Overseer Tim Hill. Hill went on to be elected to fill LeRoy’s that week.
Anyone searching for a role model as a dedicated Christian leader could well emulate Douglas LeRoy. Those who know him best testify that he has sought— and achieved—excellence in Christian living and leadership from his childhood to the present. During a 50-year career, he has distinguished himself as a pastor, Christian education leader, educator, writer and editor, missionary, and missions executive.
Following graduation from high school in his home state of South Carolina, LeRoy attended Lee University (then Lee College). He graduated with the highest honors, summa cum laude. He later continued his education at the Church of God Theological Seminary, the University of Louisville, and earned a doctorate at the European Theological Seminary in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
LeRoy served as a pastor on two occasions, once in North Dakota and again in Kentucky. He was an effective state Christian education and youth director, first in North Dakota, later in Oklahoma, finally in Florida. He served as managing editor of the Church of God Evangel. During a long and fruitful ministry, he has taken time to write some 15 books, manuals, and curriculum manuscripts.
In World Missions, he has been Coordinator of Education, Field Director of Europe, Administrative Assistant, Assistant Director, and Director. Dr. LeRoy was also elected by his ministerial peers on four occasions to serve on the Executive Council. He has preached twice at the General Assembly, an honor accorded to few Church of God preachers.
The highest leaders of the denomination over five decades have recognized Dr. LeRoy’s intellectual and creative ability, and he has been appointed to some 30 boards, task forces, and committees. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to determine the major decisions that his participation has helped to bring about and the influence he has brought to bear on the Church of God and in wider venues.
LeRoy married Wanda Thompson nearly 48 years ago, and they have three children, Dina, Donald, and Dara. As is true with most men of accomplishment, he affirms he could not have achieved nearly what he did if she had not been working at his side. Wanda has been involved in women’s leadership roles and is an accomplished writer and author.