John Rouster, 1942-2024. Founder of Every Child Ministries and Haven of Hope Children’s Home and Academy in Ghana.
John Edward Rouster, 82, entered into the welcoming embrace of His Lord and Savior on June 6, 2024.
John was born January 2, 1942, the ninth child of Jacob and Lucille Rouster of Belleville, MI. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Lorella (nee Miller); his beloved children: Carrie (Bill) Boehmer of Fayettesville, PA, Sharon (Steve) Carroll of Columbia, TN, John Henry Rouster of Jackson, MI, Kristi (Darrin) Carter of Indianapolis, IN, and Whitney Rouster of Mesa, AZ.; fourteen beloved grandchildren: Marissa (Chris), Caleb, Serena, Alaina, Elizabeth, Tessa, Alisa, Abby, Jordan (Natalie), Anna, John Everett, Whitney, Jenna, Trey, and one preborn great grandchild; as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Thousands of African children also called John “Papa” because of his influence in their lives.
John was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters: Noemi (Don) Knisley, and Marion (Norman) Olmstead; and his brothers: Leroy (Ginger), William James (Blva), Wayne (Jean), Burnill (Margaret), Ellery (Mary Lou), and Norman (Carol) Rouster.
John graduated from Belleville High School and completed an Adult Bible Study Certificate from Moody Bible Institute. He was raised knowing many facts about Jesus, but it was not until March 9, 1972 that he realized his need of a Savior and put his trust in Jesus Christ. It was a life-changing experience. John loved dairy farming, but he gave up his farm when the Lord called him to serve as a missionary in Zaire (now Congo). As a missionary, he drove a ten-ton truck to provide supplies to isolated mission stations and worked in construction. In DR Congo he built a nurse’s home and a training center, living in a mud hut for six years while developing the latter. In Ghana he founded, designed and supervised construction of Haven of Hope, a children’s home and Christian school for children at risk. Today Haven of Hope is home to 33 children, with 415 children enrolled in the school. In Uganda, John supervised the drilling of wells to provide clean drinking water for three villages, and helped with teams to help former child soldiers and their families recover from their trauma.
With his wife Lorella, in 1985, John founded Every Child Ministries (ECM), a missionary- sending agency, and for seventeen years served with Lorella as International Co-Directors. Today ECM works in Congo, Ghana and Uganda, with 16.missionaries and 105 African staff. John’s wife Lorella continues to serve with ECM. John also worked with Associated Milk Producers as a field rep charged with quality control at the farm level.
John enjoyed country and Gospel music. He spent many hours blissfully soaking in the Gospel music of the Gaither videos. He also enjoyed woodworking and reading U.S. history. John had a long list of jokes he liked to tell, and was known as a great storyteller. One of his best known stories recounted when a Black Mamba snake slithered over his arm as he lay in bed in Congo. He was a member of Valley Baptist Church of Valparaiso and leader of a small group of seniors. John treasured family as well as many close friendships. Most of all, he treasured his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He always referred to himself as “just a sinner saved by grace”. He served Jesus with his whole heart, not because he was trying to get to heaven, but because he knew he was forgiven and loved His Savior so much.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to noon, with celebration of life to follow at Valley Baptist Church, 255 Rigg Road, Valparaiso, IN. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial contributions to Every Child Ministries, PO Box 810, Hebron, IN 46341.
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June 8, 2024
As I was welcomed to the Mission of New Revelation MB Church under the pastoralship of Rev. R. T. Mitchell, I was also introduced to the Rousters and ECM. Wow! What a Great Experience it was for me. I felt then as I do now that I am part of great charity work. The Rousters, Rev. Mitchell and Sister Irene Mitchell have always been good friends as we continue this relationship ECM, under the leadership of Pastor, Rev. Edward C. Turner.
I remember their visits to our church for our May Mission Day Service. Mr. Rouster would share stories about the trips he took, (I could only imagine). You will be truely missed. With Love In Our Hearts,
Our Sincerely Condolences to the The Rouster Family and ECM.
New Revelation MB Church
Mission Department
Rev. Edward C. Turner, Pastor
Sister. Hortense Springfield General Mission President
I first got to know John & Lorella Rouster back in the 1990s, as they were both members of, and missionaries supported by Hillside Community Church in Crown Point, Indiana.
My wife Cindi and I got to know them both much better as both John and Lorella joined our small group for Bible studies, hymn singing and prayer in our home Sunday nights in 2009-2012. Those were great times as John shared many stories of their missionary times with Every Child Ministries in DR Congo and later in Ghana and Uganda. Truly a man of God who left his mark in this world, and who will be remembered by many for years to come. He will be missed. Our love and prayers go out to his wife Lorella and their children and extended family.
I’m so sorry to hear this. Grace Chapel prayer chain is praying for you all, especially you, Lorella. May the Comforter bless your hearts as only He can.
I have been giving thanks for such a life well lived, and singing “There’s joy in the House of the Lord.” Some words of the song are so rich as I think of John. “We were the beggars; now we’re royalty. We were the prisoners; now we’re running free. We are forgiven, accepted, redeemed by His grace. Let the House of the Lord sing praise.” I think of the literal beggars that are now royalty, because John said yes to Jesus. The prisoners that are running free like the children on the ECM website home page, because John gave his life to follow Jesus. And we have been able to have a tiny part in that because you and John made a way. And the explosion of life will expand exponentially! What a life! What a God!
Lorella & family – I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. 🙏🏼
Lorella and family. Paula and I are saddened by this news about John’s passing. Mike has been in and out of the hospital over the past two months four different times and he was just able to get on the computer and saw this email. We both loved the stories you and John shared about your missionary work in Africa. What a great life you both had sharing your love of God through your mission. We both know that God was waiting with open arms when John arrived in Heaven. We both pray that John will RIP in the Kingdom he so proudly represented through his missionary work. We love you dearly Lorella and if there is anything we can do for you please do not hesitate to ask us.