PLAINFIELD, Ill.—Donald Brong, a minister for over 50 years, died Dec. 24. He was 96.
Donald Brong (honorary DDiv, Denver Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary) was pastor of First Baptist Church, Russell, Iowa, and First Baptist Church, Monroe, Iowa. Beginning in 1962, he served as state representative of the Iowa Association of Regular Baptist Churches and concurrently as director of Iowa Regular Baptist Camp. Later, when the two positions were separated, Brong continued as the IARBC representative until his retirement in 1986.
“To this day,” says Kevin Bauder of Central Baptist Seminary, Brong “defines my impression of a Christian statesman. I can still remember his reaction at an ordination council when someone referred to him as the ‘head of the association.’ He quickly replied, ‘Brethren, I am not the head of the association. I am the feet of the association.’ For me, that was an important lesson in Baptist ecclesiology.”
Brong also has a long history of service with Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary. He was a board member beginning in 1953. At the time of his death, he was an emeritus member of the board, making him the longest serving member in the school’s history. He was also interim president in 1980 and 1987 and was recognized as an honorary alumnus in 1986.
Brong was preceded in death by his wife, Marguriete, and a daughter, Mary Westphal.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy; a daughter, Martha Mick; three stepsons, Dan Pierson, Doug Pierson, and Rollie Pierson; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
