Ernest Reisinger, former Florida pastor, founder Christian Gospel foundation, dies at 84

FORT MYERS (FBW) – Ernest C. Reisinger, former Florida pastor and publisher, died May 31 in Ft. Myers. He was 84.

He was former pastor of North Pompano Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, Islamorado; and pastor emeritus of Grace Baptist Church, Cape Coral. He was instrumental in reprinting Christian literature, most notably, James P. Boyce’s Abstract of Systematic Theology.

Reisinger served on the board of Founders Ministries, based in Cape Coral. According to its Web site, the organization, formed in 1982, seeks to encourage “a more biblical expression of the Gospel in Southern Baptist life and beyond,” especially as expressed in the Doctrines of Grace. Annual conferences meet at Samford University, Birmingham, Ala.

He is author of The Law and The Gospel, Whatever Happened to the Ten Commandments? and Lord and Christ: The Implications of Lordship for Faith and Life.

The Pennsylvania native was founder of the Christian Gospel Foundation, which distributed Christian literature and helped small churches and ministerial students.

While at North Pompano, he led the church into a ministry which distributed 40,000 pieces of Christian literature in the U.S. and internationally. He also served as a trustee of Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh, Scotland. Banner of Truth publishes a monthly periodical and reprints classic Puritan religious works.

Before he was ordained to the ministry in 1971, Reisinger founded Reisinger Brothers Construction Co. in Carlisle, Pa., and served as a deacon. He also served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mima Jane (Shirley); a son, Donald, both of Cape Coral; six grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Founders Ministries, P. O. Box 150931, Cape Coral FL 33915.