February 25, 2010
Rev. Joseph A. Nicholson, retired missionary to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, entered the Lord’s presence on Thursday, February 18, 2010, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. He was 83 years old.
Rev. Nicholson was born May 19, 1927, in Kinkonsi, Belgian Congo, Africa, to missionaries Joseph and Myrtle Nicholson. At the age of 15 he invited Christ into his life. He returned to the United States to complete his high school education in Houghton, New York. He graduated in 1946 and enrolled in Nyack Missionary College in the fall. While he was at Nyack, the conviction came to him that the Lord wanted him on the mission field. He met his wife, Betty, while they were both students at Nyack; they married December 20, 1949.
The Nicholsons completed their home service at the Alliance Church in Buffalo, New York. They headed for Portugal in April 1953 for a year of language study and then began their African ministry in the Portuguese Enclave of Cabinda (Angola). They were reassigned to the Congo after their first term and resumed language study, this time French in Belgium. Their ministries included Bible teaching, primary school supervision, bookkeeping, house parenting, field leadership, and more.
The Nicholsons pastored an Alliance church in Valley Cottage, New York, from 1971-1981 before returning to Kinshasa for their fourth term. Rev. Nicholson served as mission travel/business/purchasing agent. He also assisted in evangelism and church growth and started a Bible school for teachers. Mrs. Nicholson conducted international women’s Bible studies and served as ESL teacher at the U.S. Embassy. They retired from International Ministries in 1982.
The funeral service will be held on Friday, February 26, 2010, at 11 a.m. at the Country and Town Baptist Church, 1822 S Market St., Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, 17055 with Rev. Scott Minnish officiating. Rev. Wayne Spriggs will represent International Ministries. Interment will follow immediately after the service at the Mechanicsburg Cemetery. Rev. Nicholson is survived by his wife, Betty Mae, and their four children: Judith, Ruth, Mark, and John.
Cards can be sent to Mrs. Betty Nicholson, 5327 Cobblestone Drive, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, 17055.