Dr. David L. Filbeck, LCS employee ’75-’81, passed away on April 8, 2019 at his home following an illness.
From an early age David was involved in ministry. He started preaching at 16 at a small country church in Galena, MO, followed by a ministries in Conway, MO and Barryville, AZ. He accepted the call to work in the mission field in the mountains of Northern Thailand. He married Deloris Dawes on March 1, 1959. Together they ministered 58 years in Thailand. In 1972 their ministry was interrupted by war so they moved to the city of Chiang Mai and started a leadership training school. They moved back to the US from 1975-1981 and helped Al Hamilton establish Pioneer Bible Translators while teaching at Lincoln Christian Seminary. In 1982 they returned to Thailand to resume their ministry of evangelism, Bible translation, and leadership training. They established Christian Mission to the Orient as a 501c3 organization, and David also helped establish the Lanna Theological Center in Chiang Mai, Thailand, which continues to educate and send ou leaders for the churches in Southeast Asia. In addition, David authored many books throughout the years on church history, culture, and missions. He is survived by his wife, Deloris, two daughters, Carmen and Catherine, two sons, David, LCC ’79-’82 (Sharon), and Ken (Christina), eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.