by Rev. Casey Southerland
PMU Field Director, Cincinnati, OH
the Missions Banner, September 2026
In the book of Acts, we encounter a man called Barnabas, whose name means Son of Encouragement. He was the one who came alongside the newly converted Saul of Tarsus so that his ministry could begin in Jerusalem. He was later Paul the apostle’s mission companion, called and sent out by the church in Antioch. And, true to his name, would not give up on the young John Mark even after he had faltered in the work and returned to Jerusalem. Barnabas is known far and wide as a missionary and encourager. When many Hellenists in Antioch became believers, Barnabas was sent by the church in Jerusalem. Acts 11 gives us a description of his ministry and character:
“When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.” (Acts 11:23-24)
Dr. Morris McDonald has served the Lord through PMU with an ambition for the glory of God. And while he would not consider himself such a servant of God as Barnabas, we can see the similarities and be thankful that the Lord has blessed the Bible Presbyterian Church with such an encouraging servant. He was a primary leader at our agency’s beginning. His faith and love for the expansion of God’s kingdom stands as a faithful example to the church. And his ministry has been marked by encouragement to leaders and laity through our churches. This has been especially apparent in his work to encourage church planters and their work of establishing healthy churches. Now, after 42 years of laboring with Presbyterian Missionary Union, at the close of the annual meeting in August, Dr. McDonald has retired from service on the Mission Council.
Dr. McDonald was the first Field Representative (later renamed Field Director) of PMU. He entered the role with experience as a church planter, a pastor and with ten years of experience with
home missions boards. Those who recall the early days of PMU will remember the energy he exuded in the early years establishing PMU as a boon for missions at home and abroad. His top priorities were “Church Planting and Church Shepherding”. Two roles that he committed himself to heartily. Many Bible Presbyterian pastors could bear witness to encouragement they received personally from Dr. McDonald.
Dr. Len Pine, who was first a church planter, and later PMU’s second Field Director, was asked recently about Dr. McDonald’s ministry. Here was his response:
“What comes to mind is a lot of little things, really. Mostly an unfailing interest in my family, my ministry, my own heart. A book here, a phone call there, a thoughtful gift to encourage me at seemingly random times…he’s always been a pastor to pastors, and the Lord used him to set an example for me in my own work as PMU Field Director and local church shepherd.And he’s still at it: he just gave me another great book at Synod this year. I praise God for Morris!”
I was also blessed by Dr. McDonald’s shepherding care. In fact, I first met him when I was sick in bed and he paid me a pastoral visit in my dorm room when on a visit to my college campus. There have been many times since that he has been an encouragement and inspiration to my own devotion to Christ and service in His Name.
His shepherding ministry has been highlighted by prayer as well. It has also been a strong emphasis of Dr. McDonald’s ministry to encourage prayer by our churches for specific missionaries and mission works, looking to the Lord for His blessing and provision.
Another example of Dr. McDonald’s gospel impact was through his coordination of Bible distribution to many countries without access to the Scriptures. In 1988 at the time of the publishing of the photo to the left, PMU received over $69,000 worth of Bibles at no cost. Most of the Bibles they received were beautiful leather Bibles with many study helps in them. These Bibles had been shipped to six nations, to about 15 various ministries, and many more were asking for Bibles as well.
With every confidence that Dr. McDonald will continue serving Christ and encouraging His servants until the Lord calls him home, we want to thank the Lord for Morris – for the blessing of his leadership and service for 42 years declaring Christ’s glory among the nations, and His wonders among all peoples” (Psalm 96:3).
