Rev. Edmund Wooldridge

John 14:1-3, Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Pastor Ted (Edmund) Wooldridge went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, early Sunday morning, November 27, 2022, at the age of 83.  He served as a pastor, minister, and missions overseer in the Church of God, in the USA and the Full Gospel Church of God in Southern Africa, for over 60 years.

He was born on September 22, 1939, in the city of Potchefstroom, South Africa. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Shirley Mooneyham Wooldridge.

Ted was the second son of the late Alfred and Gwendolyn Wooldridge, named Edmund after his grandfather Edmund Jones.  He was known by the nickname ”Ted”, “Pastor Wooldridge”  or as my mom called him ”Teddy” or “TED” if he was in trouble.  At the age of 18 years, he worked as an Assayer for a Mining Company in Germiston, South Africa.  There he felt the call to the Ministry while attending the Germiston Full Gospel Church under the Ministry of Pastor W S Green. During that time he founded a Singing Quartet which became very popular, performing at the National Camp Conference.  

He attended Berea Bible College in Kroonstad, SA at age 19. Rev T D Mooneyham was the Principal of the College.  This is where he met and fell in love with my mom, Shirley Mooneyham. The next year the Mooneyham’s relocated back to the USA.  Ted followed them and married Shirley.

He completed his Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) at Northwest Bible College in North Dakota. There he was elected as the Student Body President and served as editor-in-chief of the school’s newspaper.  He often reminisced about his days spent putting together ‘print copy’ for the newspaper, creating home-made backyard ice-skating rinks and sometimes about peeling potatoes to help pay for rent and board. Dad was never afraid of a little or a lot of work!

After graduating college, Ted and Shirley married and then pastored their first small Church in Minot, ND.  They then returned to South Africa and pastored a Full Gospel Church of God in Brakpan.  From there he went to Salisbury to pastor the Salisbury Full Gospel Church of God in Rhodesia.  Here, he was appointed as the Overseer for Rhodesia.  After 11 years of marriage, and doctors who told them it was impossible to have children. God blessed them, and first Jill and then 15 months later Karen was born.

The Family returned to the U.S and settled in  Augusta, Georgia where he pioneered, built and pastored the Hephzibah Church of God, now known as Oasis Church at Hephzibah, for 9 years.  The Family returned to South Africa and Ted pastored Springs Full Gospel Church. Then the Germiston Church. The Family moved back to the USA to pastor a Church in Jasper Georgia.

Before he retired he pastored at the Bellsferry Church of God in Woodstock, Georgia.  He and Shirley also funded missions and churches in Botswana. Africa after retirement. It was during these years that Shirley went to be with the Lord. 

In the last years of his life his heart continued to long to help others.  Always trying to find ways he and Shirley could return to Africa, build and support missions and reach the lost with the life giving message of Christ.

Ted’s struggle with his health in his final years, never overshadowed his determination to serve God faithfully, to be content, joyful and thankful with whatever God had planned for him. 

He lived a true lifetime of ministry and service to God.

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