Robert and Marjorie Trenbeath

Bob and Marge Trenbeath were both raised on rural farms during The Great Depression, tutored in the knowledge of agriculture and survival. Although they grew up hundreds of miles apart, they would eventually unite under God’s incredible plan of service through World Gospel Mission.

Marge finished school and went on to work in an office in Louisville. While there, she lived with the Young Women’s Christian Association and further contemplated God’s purpose for her life. On September 7, 1944, she fully dedicated her life to Christ.

Meanwhile, Bob’s life was taking a similar course. Although he was facing the prospect of being drafted into service during World War II, Bob pursued a college degree at the Chicago Evangelistic Institute. During his senior year, Bob finally felt God’s distinct calling.

As he stood before a United States military draft board, Bob declared that he wanted to pursue a Christian education to enter missionary service and go wherever God led him. The board reviewed Bob’s plans and gave him full exemption from military service. Bob then applied to study at the National Holiness Missionary Society in Chicago, from which WGM eventually formed.

When Bob walked into the administration building for the first time, he saw his future wife, who was also here to prepare for missionary service. The couple spent five years in Kenya, until Bob needed to return to the States because of health reasons. After his recovery, they wished to return to Kenya, but political divisions had grown worse during their time away. Return was deemed too dangerous, so the Trenbeaths sought their next calling.

In 1961, Bob and Marge transferred to the Texas-Mexico border, where Bob served as principal for Taylor Institute, then a WGM-sponsored school for Spanish-speaking children. For the next 17 years, Bob and Marge worked with other schools, including Southwest Indian School that served children from Native American tribes. Bob and Marge learned Spanish themselves, developing linguistic and cultural understandings needed for their ministry.

Bob and Marge continued their ministry at Southwest Indian School until their retirement in 1988. Although they retired from missionary service with WGM over 20 years ago, the couple continues to serve wherever they can. Church activities and an expanding family keep the Trenbeaths busy. The couple resides in a retirement home located in Glendale, Arizona.

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