ELKHART, Ind. (Mennonite Mission Network) – Lawrence Greaser, 93, who served nearly half a century with predecessor agencies of Mennonite Mission Network, died Apr. 29 at his home in Goshen, Indiana.
Not only did Greaser invest his own life in ministry, he was a dedicated shoulder-tapper. Many remember him as the person who opened doors for their own call to missions or pastoral ministry. One of these people is Stanley Green, executive director of Mennonite Mission Network.
Green met Greaser more than 30 years ago when Green was a pastor in southern California. This encounter led to an invitation to Green to join Mennonite Board of Missions, and then, later to lead the mission agency.
“I experienced Lawrence’s hospitality, which accompanied his generous affirmation of my gifts and calling – something that I learned he did for many others,” Green said. “I eventually had the joy of inviting Lawrence to rejoin the mission staff, reassured of his excellent gifts, his passionate commitment to God’s mission, and his gracious support of his colleagues. He was such a gift from God to me, and to the church. For his life and service I am truly grateful.”
Born Feb. 17, 1922, near Garden City, Missouri, to Charles and Pearl (Hershberger) Greaser, Lawrence began working as a hired hand to help support his family. However, his parents valued education and allowed him to study at Hesston (Kansas) Academy and College.
During World War II, Greaser served as a conscientious objector in the Civilian Public Service camp in Terry, Montana, and at Ypsilanti (Michigan) State Hospital. In 1945, he was transferred to La Plata, Puerto Rico. This was the beginning of a long relationship with the people and Mennonite Church there. A year later, Greaser married Annabelle Troyer in La Plata. The couple lived in Kansas from 1947, where Lawrence completed his bachelor’s degree in religious education at Hesston, studied industrial arts at Bethel, and worked as a welder to support his growing family. In 1950, the Greasers returned to Puerto Rico.
For the next two decades, Greaser ministered in a variety of positions in Puerto Rico. He pastored four congregations: Betania, Coamo Arriba, Usabón, and Aibonito. He also served as administrator of the Mennonite General Hospital in Aibonito and directed the Ulrich Foundation, a nonprofit organization that sponsored community development through poultry and dairy-herd improvement, soil conservation, and health-related projects.
In 1971, the Greasers moved to Goshen, Indiana, where Lawrence administered the High Park Physicians group. Annabelle died in 1974. A year later, Greaser married Frances Bontrager. He often verbalized his gratitude to God for having the love and support of his two life companions.
From 1974 to 1986, Greaser worked at Mennonite Board of Missions as director for Latin America. Even after this, he returned several times to fill interim assignments for the mission agency.
In his retirement years, Greaser was an active volunteer in the community and at church. He found joy in singing and working with wood and stone.
Enrique Ortiz, who was a founding member of Coamo Mennonite Church in Puerto Rico, first met Greaser when Greaser came to serve as pastor of the young congregation. Ortiz also had Greaser for a boss when he worked for the Ulrich Foundation. Then, when Ortiz became a pastor at the Aibonito Mennonite Church, the two men became friends and colleagues. Four years ago, when Ortiz and his wife, Kathy, moved to the Greencroft Communities in Goshen, Greaser and Ortiz worked side-by-side in the wood-working shop, making magnificent lamps and other items.
“Lawrence was a wonderful pastor, teacher and friend,” Ortiz said. “We sang together in the Audición Luz y Verdad choir. He had a marvelous voice and loved music. I will miss my friend. Now, I will work alone in the woodshop.”
Greaser is survived by his wife, Frances; children, Galen (Carmen) of Austin, Texas; Daniel (Thelma) of Hickory, North Carolina; Joseph of Elkhart; Rachel (Stephen) Good of Maputo, Mozambique; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Annabelle; son, David; brothers, Glen and Earl; and sister, Ruby Hathaway.
The memorial service was held May 5 at College Mennonite Church in Goshen where Greaser was a member. Contributions can be made to Mennonite Mission Network.
