Marvin Gilbert

Marvin Glenn Gilbert was born September 10, 1948 to Hobert and Irene Gilbert, and was called home to Jesus on January 27, 2023. Raised on the island of Galveston, he graduated from Ball High School. He attended Southern State College in Arkansas on a full-ride athletic scholarship, earning All-Conference Honors in football. Marvin recommitted his life to the Lord during a summer mission trip and pursued ministry training at Central Bible College. He married his amazing wife Rosie in 1972 and continued to lovingly pursue her for over 50 years. Their son Stephen was born in 1975 and their daughter Lisa in 1983.

Marvin served in the US Air Force, then completed a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology followed by a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) with emphasis in counselor education. He was later ordained with the Assemblies of God and Marvin was commissioned in 1985 to serve in missions by the West Texas District of the Assemblies of God. Marvin and his family served for 30 years in Kenya, Togo and South Africa. He taught and mentored pastoral students at the East Africa School of Theology (EAST), then at the West Africa Advanced School of Theology (WAAST), and finally Cape Theological Seminary (CTS). During his missionary career, he also was actively involved in Africa’s Hope, helping to establish the Pan Africa Theological Seminary (PAThS), and was instrumental in developing pastoral textbooks. In addition, he made numerous trips to the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS) to teach doctoral students. After retiring from missions, Marvin taught at Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) in their Doctor of Ministry program, supporting doctoral students in completing their research projects.

Marvin is known for his dedication to excellence, his gift for puns and pithy quotes, and his passion for writing, having published 6 books, over 30 articles, and edited countless other works. He loves being part of the Church local and global and has faithfully served at Maypearl First Assembly of God for the last 5 years. One of his favorite sayings was “The only valid metric of success is faithfulness.” Marvin is survived by his lovely wife Rosie, two children, Stephen and Lisa, his daughter-in-law Faith, and two grandchildren, Josiah and Shiloh, along with his siblings Kenneth (Carolyn) Gilbert, Alton (Joyce) Gilbert, Patricia (Don) Schreiber. He is also survived by cousins, nephews and nieces, other relatives, and countless friends, colleagues and students around the world who he loved, supported and mentored over his lifetime.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent towards the production of his two final writing and video teaching projects: one on Christian marriage and one on “aging well.” To donate online, go to www.maypearlassembly.com/gilbert. Alternatively, checks can be mailed to Maypearl First Assembly PO Box 316 Maypearl TX 76064 (please designate “Gilbert” in the memo). All gifts are tax deductible.

The Memorial Service on Friday, Feb 3rd at 2 pm CST may be viewed online at https://www.facebook.com/ucagwaxahachie