Reverend Theodore "Ted" Bashford
September 2, 1919 - October 4, 2008

Well done thy good and faithful servant

Dr. Theodore A. Bashford went home to be with his Lord and Savior on October 4, 2008. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia on September 2, 1919, he was known to many as "The Preacher" and to his beloved family and friends as "Granddaddy." He served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1945. Ted passed away in Sentara Leigh Hospital of heart failure at 10:22 a.m. He celebrated his 89th birthday on September 2nd. He leaves behind his devoted wife of 69 years, the former Marion Skeeter, five daughters, Marion Jenkins and husband Teddy of Soddy Daisy Tennessee, Charlotte McPherson of Chesapeake, Linda Vaughan of Virginia Beach, Jean Melvin and husband Michael of Chesapeake, and Becky Miller and husband Paul of Chesapeake, 16 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and hundreds who loved him.

His story…. A leap of faith.

He never considered himself a man of great faith, but he realized that it took small steps of obedience to help grow in his faith. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at the age of 21 while attending a small cottage prayer meeting. His prior church attendance was at Christmas and Easter when he would go to the Baptist and Methodist churches in his neighborhood to get a box of candy. At this particular prayer meeting his heart was moved and he realized his need for a Savior. “This was my first step of faith… accepting Christ's gift of salvation. From that moment on, I have never been the same.”

Ted never considered himself able to talk to anyone about the Lord, let alone preach before a group of people. He said, “I did not speak eloquently and quite frankly, I was shy, however, I knew how my life had been changed and this was not a gift I could keep to myself.” Through the years he was interim pastor for 14 churches. He recalled a time, when he was working at a Tank Car station and an old homeless man, frequently drunk, often came by the station. He felt compassion for him and would let him sleep in the cars that were left there overnight. Little did he know that this was his introduction into Mission work.

He wanted to serve God with his life and in order to do that, he needed an education. He was stirred by the Bible verse, Isaiah 61:1, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” As a new Christian, his first leap of faith was to pack up his family and head to Clear Creek Bible College in Kentucky to earn a GED and study the Bible. He was afraid because he already had a well paying job as a welder at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, but he knew he needed to be obedient to God's calling. This was not only a leap of faith for him, but for his wife as well because they had three small children to support. He said, “I know the Lord hand-picked Marion for me. Together, in faith, we packed up our family and headed to Kentucky.”

His compassion and generosity knew no bounds. His daughters always teased him because they never knew who he would bring home for supper. A man who was raising two boys on his own followed the family to Kentucky and they became his second exposure to Mission work. Not knowing if they had enough to feed themselves, they invited the family to join them each night for dinner. Ted realized he could not have served the Lord the way he did without the support of his wife and daughters. “Many of their sacrifices are known only to me and I am proud of their commitment to Christ and their compassion toward others.”

Ted completed his studies in Kentucky and moved on to Tennessee Temple University where he earned an Associate in Arts degree, to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned his Bachelor of Theology degree and in 1997 he received an honorary doctorate from Tennessee Temple.

…leap of faith number two.

He paid for school using his GI Bill, but still had a family to support. God provided a welding job and he went to school during the day, worked the graveyard shift, and studied in between. While still in school, he stepped out in faith again and started the Salem Road Baptist Church in Rossville, GA. in 1953. He went to Miles Straight, Tennessee in 1954 and was called to pastor Miles Straight Baptist Church in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, where his daughter Marion is still a member. “Each time I was obedient to God's call, I could see my faith increase.”

His biggest leap of faith occurred in 1956 when he made the decision to accept the job as Director of the Union Mission in Norfolk, VA. At that time, the Mission was in financial ruin and had veered away from its original purpose. The Board of Directors told him they would pay him $400 a month, if the money came in; but they could not guarantee it would. His friends advised him not to take a job where the pay could not be guaranteed, but he knew this was not a job, but a calling on his life. In hindsight, he knew it was to increase his faith and dependence on God. Those early days at the Mission were a struggle, but also exciting to see God's provision: “My fondest memories are of all the friends who helped me. This ministry could not have survived without the volunteered hours, financial support, and prayer support of our friends.”

Through the years there have been many more leaps of faith… moving from East Main Street to Onley Road where a new building was constructed only to be torn down eight years later to widen the road, moving to the old Navy YMCA building on Brooke Avenue, and more recently the battle to find a new location for the ministry, just to name a few. Not totally understanding the reason for each move, but stepping out in faith, Ted could look back and see God's hand and His plan for the future of the Union Mission.

Over the years, under his guidance and direction, Ted developed the work of the Mission into nine separate ministries.

• 1960 - Camp Hope Haven in Virginia Beach was begun as an outreach of the Union Mission to offer a summer camp experience to inner city children. Today over 35,000 children have attended absolutely free.
• 1965 - Hope Haven Children's Home was founded for children from distressed family situations. Over 350 children have been given a chance for a new life under the loving guidance of Christian houseparents at the home.
• 1965 - Peninsula Rescue Mission in Newport News, VA was founded to work with indigent and homeless people on the Virginia peninsula.
• 1975 - Hope Haven Adult Home was founded as an assisted living facility for senior adults who have not adequately saved for retirement, or have no family to take them in.
• 1983 - The Family Shelter was begun to provide a safe haven for the fastest growing segment of homelessness, women and children.
• 1986 - The Union Mission Boys Home in Southampton County touched the lives of hundreds of troubled boys until its closing in 1996.
• 1991- The Good News Network began as a radio and television ministry reaching thousands each day with the good news of the Gospel and wholesome family entertainment.
• 1998 - The New Life Center, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program for men struggling with addiction was begun.
• 1995 - At age 80 Rev. Bashford traveled to the country of Romania in response to a calling on his life.
• 2000 Project Romania was begun as a ministry to the children of Romania and has grown into an evangelism outreach to its people. Land has recently been purchased to build a facility similar to Hope Haven.

At this time, the ministry is trying to raise $12 Million to move the Mission to newly acquired property on Virginia Beach Boulevard. Rev. Bashford said, “This is quite possibly the most daunting task I have undertaken, however, I know it is just another leap of faith spurned on by obedience to what God has called us to do. I know I cannot raise that money in my own strength, but with God's help, we will be victorious! This new property will be a testament of God's glory because this is not a task that man can do alone.”

Before his death, he realized the wisdom of setting forth a plan that will ensure the work carries on with or without him. This process required a great deal of faith. His son-in-law, Leroy Vaughan, worked with him for many years and the plan was that he would carry on with the work. However, God had other plans and Leroy went to glory in 1991. This was a test of faith for all who served in the ministry… to accept that God's plan is best, while not always understanding the plan. His daughter, Linda Vaughan, will lead the union Mission Ministries under the guidance of a godly Board of Directors. She has been responsible for the day-to-day operations since 1991. He said, “I have confidence in her abilities, but most importantly I have confidence in her commitment to Christ and her compassion for others. Linda is an exceptional and gifted woman. She has been my right hand and has a passion for the ministry that burns as strong as mine.”

Through the years, Reverend Bashford tried to honor the Lord in deed and action. At 89 years old, with multiple health issues, he realized his time here was limited, but vowed to serve the Lord with every ounce of strength he had. In the last days of his life, his single-minded focus of preaching the gospel of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and of leading others to Him did not waver. The work will carry on, the work of a humble man of great character and integrity, a man with an unwavering heart of compassion to help the poor and needy, to help the least of these. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him… “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the New Home for Hope Capitol Campaign of the Union Mission Ministries.

The staff of the Union Mission Ministries and the family of Rev. Theodore Bashford wishes to express their sincere gratitude for your prayers and support during this difficult time. Please continue to pray for the ministry as we carry out the vision of Rev. Bashford in the days ahead.