On 2 January 2014, Darryl Wallace Burnett peacefully passed away at the age of 85. Family, friends and colleagues gathered at Mitchelton Presbyterian Church on 9 January to honour Darryl’s life and ministry.
Darryl was a devoted Christian with a passion to partner in God’s mission. His extensive business knowledge and experience was beneficial to helping Christian organisations in their ministry.
He served on the BST board from 1972 to 2002. Current BST director and a member of OMF, Dr Peter Farrington, recalls how Darryl was instrumental in helping the college.
“The college and board were greatly helped and blessed by Darryl’s wise, godly, practical counsel and experience as a Christian businessman. His contribution brought a stabilising influence when the college passed through some difficult times,” Peter said.
“Darryl was very generous, both in prayer and as a financial supporter of the college.”
Darryl was well known amongst missionary organisations in Australia, where he played an active role serving on various missionary boards including with the OMF Qld Council since 1975 and for a period of time serving as the Council Chairman.
“Godly Christian leaders like Darryl Burnett are indeed rare these days. His desire was to finish strongly, and in spite of failing health in recent years, he certainly achieved that aim…The challenge to us today is to ask God to make us ‘faithful to the end’ like Darryl and to pray and ask the Lord to raise up others to take his place.”
We praise God that He raised up a man like Darryl who was faithful in serving Him.
Darryl was wonderful mentor for many Christians, including Alan Shanks, a member of Mitchelton Presbyterian Church and BST’s current longest-serving director of the BST board.
“I met Darryl in 1976 when our family joined Mitchelton Presbyterian Church. His love of the Lord was contagious, often sharing God’s word as a lay preacher in various churchs. It was Darryl who encouraged me to attend evening classes at BST (or Queensland Bible Institute as it was then known) and later invited me to serve on the board,” Alan recalls.
“Darryl was a great friend and a constant source of encouragement to me and to the BST board. He upheld Christian values and lead by example in every aspect of his life. While none of us are perfect, there are some people in life who simply stand out because of their character and leadership. Darryl was definitely a shining light for me and I am thankful for his friendship and leadership over the years. He will be missed by all who know and love him.”
Darryl is survived by his wife Mary, and their children Bruce, Meryl, Evan, Janelle, Lyn and their families. Please join us in praying for the Burnett family and for those who are mourning the loss of Darryl.
We leave you with this quote from Darryl: “The main thing is, keep in The Book.”
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun (Psalm 37:5-6).”
