John was born in Penang, Malaysia, and became a major in the Indian Army where he came to personal faith in Christ. He spoke Urdu and it would have seemed natural for him to continue as a missionary in India. However, in 1952 he agreed to go to Morocco as a BCMS missionary and in 1953 married Nan Maunsell. Timothy and Bridget were both born in Morocco.

The name “Wilson” has always been associated with Demnate, a small walled town in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains. John had a clear gift for work among boys and young men and he reached hundreds in the town and area.
Leaders of today’s church in Morocco sprang from those Demnate days, men of the calibre of Omar and Mustapha. Omar, in a conversation with me at the funeral, said, “John Wilson planted, Edward Malcolm watered, and God gave the increase in my life.”

Returning to the UK, the Wilsons ministered in Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and in Worthing but John’s heart continued to beat for Morocco right to the end of his life.

We rejoice that John Wilson is in heaven and our sympathy, love and prayers go to Nan, Timothy, Bridget and all the family in these days when their loss is very hard to bear.

(by Gordon Fyles)

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