Maurice T. Battle, retired longtime Seventh-day Adventist Church administrator and a former associate secretary at world church headquarters, died at his home in Ellicott City, Maryland, last evening. He was 82.
During denominational service spanning more than 50 years, Battle served as a pastor and administrator. Beginning in 1948 with pastoral work in the church's South Atlantic Conference, his career later led to posts in West Africa and England before beginning service at world church headquarters in 1970.
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Colleagues remember Battle as a skilled bridge builder among people, supplying a voice of reason amid conflict and fostering positive relationships despite previous distrust.
"Promoting friendly, stable relations among groups of people is probably one of his biggest contributions to the church," said Bert B. Beach, former director of the Adventist world church's department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty.
Battle was instrumental in the Adventist Church's efforts to dismantle Apartheid in South Africa, said Beach, who first met Battle when the two were serving the church in West Africa.
Born in 1927 in Oberlin, Ohio, Battle developed a love of reading -- especially biographies -- travel, gardening and stamp collecting. In 1948, he married Esther R. Coleman and earned a bachelor's degree in theology from then Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama.
Battle later received an honorary doctoral degree from Union Theological Seminary, an independent graduate school of theology in New York, in recognition of his "outstanding contribution" to both his denomination and the community.
Battle spent a decade helping to strengthen the church in West Africa. He served as Adventist Church president first in Liberia and later in Sierra Leone. During his years in Ghana, Battle acted as regional secretary and also oversaw several departments, including Sabbath School, Lay Activities and Public Relations.
Battle first served the world church as associate secretary for the Lay Activities -- now Personal Ministries -- department, beginning in 1970. He was elected as an associate secretary of the Adventist world church in 1978.
Adventist World church President Jan Paulsen said he was "saddened" to learn of Battle's death today. "[Maurice] was a friend and a highly valued colleague of mine for many years, going back to Africa," said Paulsen, who served as a missionary in Ghana while Battle was employed there. Paulsen also recalled that Battle acted as one of the officiating ministers at his ordination service.
Battle is survived by his wife, Esther, and four children.
I am so sorry to hear of Maurice's death. I love the man and his wife. Esther worked for me in the Potomac Adventist Book Store for many years. Maurice always attended our soical events when ever he was in town. I always thought of him as the ideal minister. My love and sympathy to Esther and the family.
Clyde Kinder | February 25, 2010 2:23 PM | Reply
Maurice and I are first cousins, and we were both born in the same house in Oberlin, Ohio. He was born in 1927 and I was born in 1930 and the same doctor deliverd both of us. In 1959 when he was home on furlow, we both took our mothers to the house where we were born and stood in the very spots where we were born, and that house is still there to this day. We will all miss him very much.
Henry H. Battle Sr. | February 25, 2010 2:43 PM | Reply
I was saddened to learn of Elder Battle's passing. Not only has he been a role-model but a personal family friend and a mentor during difficult times both before, during and after our missionary experiences in Africa. Please accept heart-felt condolences.
Doreen Evans-Yorke | February 26, 2010 7:28 AM | Reply
As a member of Sligo Church, I have been impressed each Sabbath with Elder Battle's commitment to be present in Sabbath School each week. He did not know me, but he has left me the gift of faithfulness. I will miss his dignified presence. We praise God for the Blessed Hope.
Iris Darby Ogburn | February 26, 2010 10:34 AM | Reply
Maurice Battle was the brother to three siblings. Turner C.Battle lll, Anne Battle-Kerr and Solomon O. Battle. Our parents brought us up in a very religious home. As a close family, we will miss him very much. However, I find great consolation that he loved the church and in my last conversation with him a few days before his passing he commented on how much he enjoyed working among his friends at Sligo. We will miss him, but he was happy working for God and the church.
Anne Battle-Kerr | March 2, 2010 6:17 PM | Reply
I met Maurice 11 years ago, when I joined Silver Spring Rotary. He was a friend to me and an inspiration to all and I will truly miss him. The world has lost an angel and heaven has gained one. My prayers are with Esther and the rest of his family.
Stacee Bain Crittenden | March 3, 2010 6:37 AM | Reply
Elder Battle was graduation speaker in 1978 at Solusi University and inspired me a lot as a young man, and later at Division meetings in the former Eastern Africa Division. He was a courageous spiritual man of God. I am very saddened to hear of his passing. My prayers go to his family. We will meet him at the sea of glass.
William Mashingaidze | March 3, 2010 6:47 PM | Reply
May his soul rest in the perfect peace of our Lord Jesus.
REST IN PEACE PASTOR MAURICE
okoro obinna | March 5, 2010 10:59 AM | Reply
As I have informed my cousins regarding their dad's death....I am not filled with knowing what words to say to them. However, I am filled with so many positive and meaningful memories of all of the times that I stayed at Maurice & Esther's home. I remember my mom's stories about Maurice's parents (my mom's Aunt & uncle) as I grew up.....my Uncle Henry's detailed accounts about their common birth place, I am reminded of the renewed bonds I feel with my cousins. I am reminded of the energy and family love that was/is always there......I am reminded of Esther's straight-talk along with her warmth and complete acceptance of me and my family, I am reminded of how inviting and comfy it feels to have this specific branch of my family so close to my son Gheric as he attends Hampton University......lastly, I will forever reflect on the walk Maurice and I had in his back yard on my last visit. He was so happy and relaxed as he continued to look forward to any and all family visits.......he was very happy!
Gary Speiginer | March 5, 2010 4:26 PM | Reply
I am saddended to read about Pastor Battle's death. I knew him many years ago in Liberia when I was probably 9 or 10 years old. This photo of him is exactly how I remembered him. Since I was so young then, I would have thought that he'd be at least 100 years old by now. I never knew his first name was "Maurice." The adults always referred to him as (Pastor) "M. T. Battle."
My regards to Mrs. Battle and the family. May his soul rest in the Lord!
Cyril Lurlay | March 12, 2010 5:59 PM | Reply
Hello Esther, I just happened to log on to the online Gleaner and read of Maurice's death. Am saddened to read this, but remember him as a sincere Christian young man. Words cannot express my sympathy, but seeing we have the "blessed hope" we know that if we are faithful we will see our loved ones again.
Ruth Williams Gunn | May 29, 2010 10:13 AM | Reply