Welch Mission Fund



In loving memory: The Welch Family
Andy, Joyce, Maddison Grace and Samuel

Joyce and Andy were the first couple from Agape to say "yes" to the call of missions.


Agape Baptist Church has established a mission fund in the Welch's memory. Since this was Andy and Joyce's calling, it will be a great way to carry on their desire to "go into all the world". The Welch Mission Fund will make funds available to teens and students who have surrendered to God's call of mission.

Contact the church office for more information (256) 574-5992 or e-mail at agape@scottsboro.org.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." (Ps. 116:15)


The Welch's Sail On

On Wednesday morning, October 13, 2004 the Welch family set sail on their final journey - their journey home.

Andy and Joyce were both dedicated Christians, willing to sacrifice all for the gospel of the Lord they loved and served. Their love led them to adopt two precious children, Maddison Grace and Samuel. Andy was the Technical Engineer in charge of Marine Operations in the Transportation Logistics Engineering Group, for NASA of Huntsville, Alabama. As a devout Christian, he daily carried his faith to the office. He and Joyce have been involved in Christian ministry for several years. Whether in Arkansas, Texas, or Alabama, they consistently worked as teachers, musicians, leaders but most of all... servants. Their international mission trips included Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Moldova and most recently Cuba.

They both knew that God had called them into full time missions. Andy and Joyce had been accepted and completed training to work as missionaries with Mercy Ships. Andy was to be the renovations manager on the Anastasis, which serves western Africa. Joyce was going to work in the ship's security detail.

What we see as an untimely death was actually The Captain's call for their final voyage. We now grieve and mourn our loss, but make no mistake, Andy, Joyce, Maddison Grace and Samuel have safely arrived in the harbor.

They are safe - safely home.


"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." (II Corinthians 5:8)