Wendell George Gross, 85, of Hagerstown, Md., who pastored several Maryland/Delaware churches through the years, died on May 1 at his home.
HAGERSTOWN, Md.–Wendell Gross died on May 1. He, with his wife Joyce, ministered for forty years in Maryland, where he pastored First Baptist Church of Mardela Springs, Immanuel Baptist Church, Salisbury; Edgewood Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Beltsville, and First Baptist Church of Hagerstown. He also served several years as a General Mission Board member for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware.
Wendell graduated from Allegany High School in 1950 and went on to complete degrees at Mars Hill University, Furman University, and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Blue Ridge Baptist Association Director of Missions Bruce Conley said Wendell was his pastor at Beltsville Baptist Church. Conley grew up in the church and attended the youth group.
“Once I surrendered my life to Christ, he baptized me, and because of my musical talent and interest, he immediately put me to work leading ‘Singspiration’ (a hymn sing time where everyone picks their favorite hymn and sings one verse) in the Sunday evening services. That later led to me becoming a choir/music director in several SBC churches and eventually becoming ordained as a bi-vocational minister of music.
“Wendell was a great leader and encourager. He loved reaching people with the truth of the Gospel and seeing their lives transformed.”
In his spare time, Gross enjoyed spending time with his family. He was also a model train enthusiast and loved mission trips.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce, his daughter, Gayle Gross; three sons, Greg Gross (Charlene), Gilbert Gross (Cindy) and Gary Gross (Sammy); and grandchildren Benjamin, Anna, Gretchen, and Kurtis.
There will be a memorial service at 11 am on May 7 at Faith Christian Church, 16726 Lappans Road, Williamsport, Md. Conley and Gordon McDaniel, lead pastor of Faith Christian Church, will officiate.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 6, 2018, at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 E. Wilson Blvd., Hagerstown, Md.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Washington County, 747 Northern Ave., Hagerstown, MD 21742.