Beloved Des Moines Pastor Dies in Church Service

This was A Paid Obituary by Gospel Assembly

Des Moines Register/July 24, 1996

The Rev. Lloyd L. Goodwin believed in the Des Moines Gospel Assembly Church, so much that he died last Sat-urday in his church, after having deliv-ered his sermon, surrounded by his congregation. Had he not died last Sat-urday, he would be moderating religious services in Africa. He was to leave Monday to preach his church's message in Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

The Rev. Goodwin, 67, of 8521 NW 54th Ave., died Saturday at the church of a heart attack with his congregation at his side.

The Rev. Goodwin founded the Des Moines Gospel Assembly in 1963 and was leader of an association of more than 100 gospel churches worldwide. He and the Rev. Leander Ray were scheduled to leave for Africa on Mon-day to spread the Gospel Assembly's message.

Ray said the Rev. Goodwin was firm and passionate in the pulpit while ten-der and generous in counseling.

"His pulpit mannerisms and his com-passion 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, Ind. He lived in Des Moines for 33 years and watched the Gospel Assembly's membership grow steadily and helped the church build new facilities in Urbandale at 7135 Meredith Drive.

The Rev. Goodwin traveled worldwide. He established churches in 30 countries. He also produced a nation-wide regular radio program and was the moderator of many religious conventions in the United States and abroad.

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. The, 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 ser-vice Thursday at Gospel Assembly Church, where family will greet visi-tors. Memorial contributions may be made to the church.