MERCER, John Todd, Rev (1927-2024)
Assembly memorial minute, 2024
Note the passing of Rev John Todd Mercer (30 October 1927 – 27 June 2024) and insert into the Assembly record this memorial minute of the General Assembly’s sincere gratitude for faithful gospel service to the church.
John Todd Mercer, born at North Ryde, NSW, was the eldest of eight children born to first generation Scots migrants, David and Elizabeth Mercer. At the age of 5, John contracted polio in the first epidemic to sweep the nation, leaving him with permanently deformed feet and ankles.
At the age of 19, John was converted through the witness of work colleagues. Under the mentorship of Rev Donald Begbie (North Ryde Anglican), John felt the call of God to prepare for a life of witness to Christ.
From 1949-1951, John studied at Melbourne Bible Institute under the principalship of Rev John Searle, who took a particular interest in his development. Upon completion of his studies, John embarked on a 12- year career with CMS, serving indigenous communities of the Northern Territory: first at Ngukurr (Roper River); then pioneering a work at Numbulwar (Rose River); then as superintendent on Groote Eylandt; then in Darwin. After his first deployment, John married Phyllis Hughes, whose wedding also served as a commissioning of them both to the work of mission, after which they returned to begin the work at Numbulwar. Four sons were born to them while on the mission field. In 1963, John felt the need to return south to provide an education for his growing family. He enrolled in the Home Mission Service of the PCV, and served from 1963-1965 at Dimboola, and from 1966-1968 at Thornbury, all the while studying at Ormond College in preparation for ordination. At the time, Ormond College had become predominantly liberal, and John’s defence was to read two reformed and evangelical books for every liberal book on his reading list. John was ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament by the Presbytery of Melbourne at the end of 1968.
He was exited to the Union Charge of Lindisfarne (TAS) (1969-1971), during which time their only daughter, Grace, was born to them. John was then called to Ascot Presbyterian Church (QLD) (1972-1974); then serve with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canberra for 18 months; and was then called as associate minister of St. Andrew’s Canberra (1976- 1979); then ministered at Kogarah PC (1979-1984), and finally at Logan PC (QLD) (1985-1991), prior to his retirement.
Subscribing to the view that it is better to wear out rather than rust out, and so John and Phyllis gave themselves unstintingly in retirement to minister the Gospel wherever an invitation was extended to them. For the next 25 years, they embarked on countless journeys throughout Australia and around the world, doing locum work for ministers taking extended leave, filling in during vacancies, seeking to strengthen the church’s witness to the Gospel of Christ. Retirement was also an opportunity for them to author many books and pamphlets, all of which sought to proclaim and commend Christ, were self-published, and mostly sold out of the boot of their car.
John’s ministry was marked by his encouragement of many to seek the call of God upon their life, and through his influence, many have entered ministry or missionary service. At his death aged 96, John is survived by 78 direct descendants by both birth and marriage.
Gender
- Male