Dr. Victor W. Binkley died last Friday, February 12 after an eight month battle with inoperable pancreatic cancer. He was born June 7, 1939 in Lanark, IL to Pastor Carl and Catherine Binkley. From the early age of 12, Vic knew the Lord called him to serve as a medical missionary and so after completing high school in 1957 he went to Findlay College (now The University of Findlay) for his pre-med training, graduating in 1961. He earned his M.D. from Ohio State in 1965 and did his residency in general surgery in Hawaii. He then served two years as a medical Captain in the U.S. Army, completing a tour of duty in Vietnam and one year in El Paso, TX before affiliating with the Markle Medical Center near Bluffton, IN in 1970.

Dr. Vic began his association with CGGC cross-cultural ministries in 1967 when he made his first trip to Haiti to assist Pastor Jim Wallace in getting Project H.E.L.P. started. That visit embedded the land of Haiti in his heart and soul for the rest of his life. In 1974 he went to Bangladesh to work with Dr. Fidelia Gilbert to establish a surgical ward at the CGGC Christian Hospital in Bogra. In 1977 he and his partners at Markle Medical Center in cooperation with the CGGC founded a medical clinic in Pierre Payen, Haiti about 50 miles north of Port-au-Prince. Starting in 1991 he and his wife, Donna Toepfer Binkley, lived six years full time in Haiti in order to start a surgical ward as well as design and build a new modern hospital and surgical facility at Pierre Payen.

Since last month’s devastating earthquake the hospital and clinic have served hundreds of patients, some with severe injuries. From 1997 until the present Dr. Vic and Donna typically spent every other month in Haiti, more or less. In fact their last trip happened just two weeks ago to finish mission business and pass on the torch of leadership. 

The Binkley's receiving an award from the Midwest Region Conference (l to r): Pastor Bob Eatherton, Dr. Vic & Donna Binkley, Pastor Keith Raderstorf

Dietrich Bonhoeffer called Jesus “a man for others” which describes the Master’s self-sacrificing mission to deny Himself for the benefit of others. The phrase might be applied to all those who do likewise. To lose oneself for Christ and the Gospel is to discover real life. Dr. Binkley knew this and lived it out. His USA practice as a physician was merely the means to the larger end, to minister in Christ’s name to the poor in the poorest country of the western hemisphere. He gave his life that others might experience better lives both physically and spiritually. There is no greater love than this. It is the love of Jesus.  Dr. Vic’s passing leaves a huge hole in the fabric of ministry. Let’s pray that the Lord will raise up others to fill the void in Haiti that his home-going leaves. Better yet, let’s ask the Lord to show us what empty spot He would have us fill. Opportunities to serve abound, but we must look and listen.

Donna & Dr. Vic honored in 2007 at the 40th anniversary of Project H.E.L.P. at Borel, Haiti

Dr. Vic served as field director and acting director for Project H.E.L.P. for many years and oversaw the CGGC ministry at the two mission compounds. Stateside he was a member of the Zanesville Church of God for over forty years, serving as an elder, Sunday school teacher and worship leader. In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by two daughters, two sons, ten grandchildren, four brothers, three sisters and many friends touched by his life and work. A grandson and his father preceded him in death. The family will hold a private funeral service with a public celebration of Vic’s life to be announced later. Condolences can be sent to the family at PO Box 273, Bluffton, IN, 46714. Memorial gifts can be sent to the Churches of God General Conference, 700 East Melrose Avenue, Findlay, Ohio, 45840 and be designated for Project H.E.L.P. support.

We send our love and prayers to Donna and Dr. Vic’s entire family. Heaven’s gain is our loss!

Pastor Ed

PS—This past Monday Linda and I attended the memorial service for Rhoda Kauffman at the Maytown First Church of God in our Eastern Region. Pastors “Ben” Zimmerman, Richard Miller, Don Dennison and I participated in the service. While there I took photos of some of the pictures of Rhoda on display and include them here as an addendum to last week’s eNews.

Display in the vestibule at Maytown First Church of God

Gathering for the service at Maytown

Rhoda and her siblings (l to r): Rhoda, Miriam, Lucy, Dan & Carrie

Correction: In last week's eNews, the photograph including Mary Hershey incorrectly identified her as Mary White.