Promoted to Glory

By Dorothy Morgan - August 11, 1911 - September 26, 2001

Dorothy Groves was born to Rufus and Lucy in Chandler, Oklahoma. She trusted Christ as her Savior in October 1930 while listening to Canadian preacher Dr. T. T. Shields. Dorothy married Jaymes Morgan in 1932. Their oldest child, Jaymes, Jr., was born the following year. The Morgans spent a brief period as missionaries among the American Indians, then served as independent missionaries in China for six years, during which time their second child, Ann, was born.

In 1945 the Morgans joined ABWE, returning to China to work with the Victor Barnett family in the Lui Chow Peninsula. When the Morgans evacuated ahead of the Communist insurrection in 1949, they worked in the Philippines before opening Japan for ABWE in the early 1950s. They transferred to Hong Kong in 1959 and remained there until retirement. A gifted linguist, Dorothy taught Sunday school, and women's Bible classes. Together, Jay and Dorothy led the Evangel Baptist Church to indigenous status and assisted the Wai Yan Baptist Clinic congregation.

When Jay and Dorothy returned to the United States in 1977, they remained active among the Chinese community first in California, then in Austin, Texas. They never dreamed they would be able to return to China. But in 1981, they did just that. In her book, Pearl from the Orient, Marjory Barnett Miller described the emotional reunion between missionary and Chinese colleagues.

"The church building had been changed into government offices, so we were thankful hardly any changes had been made to the physical structure... The benches, pulpit, and little pump organ were ready for Sunday services. Uncle Jay Morgan said, 'Even the nails where we used to hang song scrolls are still here.' The greatest joy was visiting with the believers who could once again meet in their original church building. Word traveled fast, and we were soon in the midst of a joyful reunion with Pastor Chen and his family.... During the period known as the Cultural Revolution, and particularly in the days of the Red Guards, Pastor Chen was beaten, paraded through the streets wearing a dunce cap, and imprisoned. For a while, he, his wife, and their two children were exiled. Now 90 years old, Pastor Chen had suffered a serious stroke, but wore the same sweet smile as always, even though confined to a wheelchair."

Dorothy was predeceased by her son, Jaymes, Jr., in 1971 and her husband Jay in January 2001. She is survived by her daughter, Ann, eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and numerous spiritual offspring both in Asia and in North America.

Be sure to read Pearl from the Orient. Click here to place an order.

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