The Life of LLOYD LAVERN GOODWIN
The Rev. Lloyd Lavern Goodwin believed in the Des Moines Gospel Assembly Church so much that had he not died Saturday, he would be on his way to Africa to preach his church''s message in Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
The Rev. Goodwin, 67, of 8521 NW 54th Ave., died Saturday at Iowa Lutheran Hospital from a heart attack.
The Rev. Goodwin founded the Des Moines Gospel Assembly in 1979 and was leader of an organization of more than 100 gospel churches worldwide. He and the Rev. Leander Ray were scheduled to leave for Africa on Monday to spread the Gospel Assembly''s message.
Ray said the Rev. Goodwin was firm and passionate on the pulpit while tender and generous in counseling.
"His pulpit mannerisms and his compassion for people were unmatched," said Ray, who was a pastor at the Des Moines Gospel Assembly under the Rev. Goodwin for several years. "He was the greatest man I''ve ever met."
The Rev. Goodwin was born in Evansville, IN. He lived in Des Moines for many years and watched the Gospel Assembly''s membership grow steadily and helped the church build a new parish in Urbandale at 7135 Meredith Drive.
The church was often challenged for its beliefs that Jesus Christ would return to Earth during the 1990s and a war of Armageddon would soon follow. Cristicism of the Gospel Assembly reached fever pitch after the Branch Davidian diasaster in Waco, Texas, in 1993.
The Rev. Goodwin bought a six-page advertising supplement to The Register in July 1993 to rebut charges that his church was a cult that brainwashed people. The ad, written almost entirely by the Rev. Goodwin, quoted heavily from the Bible and denounced idle curiosity by other Christians.
Ray said the Rev. Goodwin''s faith in his mission never wavered in the face of criticism.
"His passion for God transcended ordinary faith," Ray said. "He was the most dedicated man to God I''ve ever known. This church was his life.
Services for the Rev. Goodwin will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Gospel Assembly Church. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens.
He is survived by his wife,Martha; two brothers, Vernon and Nathan, both of Des Moines; and a sister, Audrey Goodwin-Werling, also of Des Moines.
Friends may call until the time of service Thurday at Gospel Assembly Church, where family will greet visitors. Memorial contributions may be made to the church.
The Rev. Goodwin, 67, of 8521 NW 54th Ave., died Saturday at Iowa Lutheran Hospital from a heart attack.
The Rev. Goodwin founded the Des Moines Gospel Assembly in 1979 and was leader of an organization of more than 100 gospel churches worldwide. He and the Rev. Leander Ray were scheduled to leave for Africa on Monday to spread the Gospel Assembly''s message.
Ray said the Rev. Goodwin was firm and passionate on the pulpit while tender and generous in counseling.
"His pulpit mannerisms and his compassion for people were unmatched," said Ray, who was a pastor at the Des Moines Gospel Assembly under the Rev. Goodwin for several years. "He was the greatest man I''ve ever met."
The Rev. Goodwin was born in Evansville, IN. He lived in Des Moines for many years and watched the Gospel Assembly''s membership grow steadily and helped the church build a new parish in Urbandale at 7135 Meredith Drive.
The church was often challenged for its beliefs that Jesus Christ would return to Earth during the 1990s and a war of Armageddon would soon follow. Cristicism of the Gospel Assembly reached fever pitch after the Branch Davidian diasaster in Waco, Texas, in 1993.
The Rev. Goodwin bought a six-page advertising supplement to The Register in July 1993 to rebut charges that his church was a cult that brainwashed people. The ad, written almost entirely by the Rev. Goodwin, quoted heavily from the Bible and denounced idle curiosity by other Christians.
Ray said the Rev. Goodwin''s faith in his mission never wavered in the face of criticism.
"His passion for God transcended ordinary faith," Ray said. "He was the most dedicated man to God I''ve ever known. This church was his life.
Services for the Rev. Goodwin will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Gospel Assembly Church. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens.
He is survived by his wife,Martha; two brothers, Vernon and Nathan, both of Des Moines; and a sister, Audrey Goodwin-Werling, also of Des Moines.
Friends may call until the time of service Thurday at Gospel Assembly Church, where family will greet visitors. Memorial contributions may be made to the church.