Evangelist Bill Sturm – at home in heaven

Bill Sturm preaches at Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta on Oct. 27, 2003. Sturm served at the church for several years as staff evangelist. MICHAEL MCKINLEY/YouTube

MCKINNEY, TEXAS — Evangelist Bill Sturm died early on Wednesday morning, May 9, in McKinney, TX. Bill and Martha Sturm were an effective force for the Gospel for many years. Bill insisted on Martha singing before he preached and together they touched countless lives during the course of their 44-year ministry.

Bill Sturm was a staff evangelist at Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta for many years. He served eight years as a pastor and 36 years in fulltime evangelism. He is also the author of the book, Salvation: Real or Counterfeit. He has preached in revivals and Bible conferences in Georgia and across the nation.

Wayne Robertson, pastor of Morningside, affectionately described Bill Sturm as the “Hoss Cartwright” of Southern Baptist evangelists.

Robertson added, “In his preaching he would always thunder out a challenge to flee worldliness and to live righteously. He would weep in private over compromise he saw happening in churches. His strong voice calling people to an uncompromising life of commitment to Christ will be missed.

“When you get through hearing Bill Sturm,” Robertson once stated, “you won’t wonder what he said.”

Uncompromising

Evangelist Bailey Smith often had Sturm preach in his Real Evangelism Conferences, stating, “I consider Bill Sturm the Will Rogers of preaching. He had a human touch as well as a genuine love for the Word of God and the ways of God.”

Mike Griffin, pastor of Liberty Baptist Church near Hartwell, acknowledged that Liberty was like a “second home” to the Strums. He explained, “I will never forget the impact he and Miss Martha made on me, my family, and Liberty Baptist Church.

“There are preachers that have taught me about theology and how to lead a church and be a pastor, but Bill Sturm taught me how to live the Christian life! Brother Bill was the real deal. He lived what he preached better than any preacher I have ever known.”

Griffin continued, “He loved God and people so much that he always told them the truth and never compromised!”

'In time for Mother's Day'

The Sturms lived in their RV/home on the campus of Morningside Baptist Church in recent years, but due to Bill’s declining health they left Georgia several months ago to fly to Texas to live with their daughter and family. Griffin was with them at the Atlanta airport prior to their departure and said, “His last words to me were, ‘Michael, you know I love you!’ I know he did and I love and miss him. He was a preacher’s friend in time of need. He was like a father to me.

Evangelist Bill Sturm and his wife, Martha, announced in the fall of 2013 his retirement due to health issues. They were honored by Morningside Baptist Church, Valdosta with a dinner and special service. Members of Morningside for 18 years, Sturm and his wife traveled across the country for 40 years to speak at churches, evangelism conferences, and similar events. INDEX/Special

“I know Papa Sam Cathey (close friend to Strum) was waiting there on him. They are now rejoicing around the throne with the Lord Jesus. We are all looking forward to the day when we will be together again.”

In the last few days Martha Strum said she would look at Bill and he would have a smile on his face and point to heaven and indicate he was looking forward to seeing his mother again. She said, “It is amazing, because he died and got to heaven in time for Mother’s Day.”

The memorial service for Bill Sturm will he held Wednesday, May 17 at 11 a.m. at the Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum in Muskogee, OK, located at 7600 Old Taft Road. Wayne Robertson will preach the funeral service.