It is with sadness that the Free Church learned of the passing of Rev Ian J. McKenzie on Saturday 5th July at the age of 94.
A burial was held last Tuesday at Linn Cemetery followed by a funeral service at Dowanvale Free Church, conducted by Rev Alexander Cowie. The following tribute was included in the Order of Service:
Ian was born on a dairy farm in New South Wales, Australia – the seventh of eight children. At the age of 15, he became a believer in the Lord Jesus, responding to a Beach Mission during the family’s Christmas holidays. After completing his schooling, he joined the New South Wales Bank, where he worked for nine years. During this time, he became interested in mission work and responded to God’s call by moving to Scotland and training for the ministry at the Free Church College in Edinburgh. He was ordained as a minister of the Free Church of Scotland and his first charge was as Superintendent of the Indian Mission in Madhya Pradesh in 1964, where he continued to serve for the next 20 years. He and Alina Murchison were married in Lakhnadon, India in 1966. They had three sons, Bruce, Iain Alastair and Johnny, all born in Central India.
In 1984, Ian and Alina felt led by God to return to Scotland, initially to serve in the Free Church’s mission to the Asian community in Glasgow.
After a couple of years, The Reverend Gurnam Singh joined Asian Outreach and Ian was appointed to head up a new mission known as SOS (Service to Overseas Students) – sharing the gospel with international students studying in Glasgow, encouraging them to accept Christ before returning to their home countries or settling in Scotland. He continued in this service until he retired in 1998.
On retiral from the ministry, he and Alina went to Australia, where they worked for almost ten years. During this time, Ian served as Resident Supply Minister for two different congregations of the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia (Armidale, New South Wales, and Glen Huntly, Melbourne). Ian loved the friendship and fellowship he received in Australia.
In 2007, Ian and Alina returned to Scotland and resettled in the West End of Glasgow, near the university – continuing a ministry to international students through a regular Bible study in their home until 2022.
Throughout his ministry for the Lord in different countries, Ian was wonderfully supported and encouraged by Alina. Wherever they served, the door of their home was always open for those in need.
No one left without hearing the word of God and being prayed for. Ian was a deeply faithful servant of Christ, whose life was marked by quiet strength, humility, and unwavering commitment to the gospel. He never sought the limelight, but his character was unmistakable -gentle, kind, and marked by integrity. He was honest, warm-hearted and gracious, never speaking ill of others and always showing the love of Christ in word and deed.
Together with his beloved wife, Alina, Ian formed a strong and prayerful partnership. Their unity and devotion to one another was evident to all who knew them – a team who navigated life’s challenges with prayer and whose shared witness deeply encouraged many both in Scotland and across the world.
Ian’s life was one of consistent service, sharing the hope of Christ with people from all nations. He was known for his kindness, steadfastness and a gracious Christian character. He lived not for himself, but for the cause of Christ and His people. His example continues to inspire all who knew him. His gentle influence touched many hearts and lives, and those who had the privilege of calling him a friend, minister, mentor or family member remember him with fondness and respect. He will be deeply missed by his wife, sons and their families, his five grandchildren and the orphan children who grew up under his care in India.
Yet we rejoice that he is now with the Lord he loved and so faithfully served.
“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy: At Your right hand are pleasures for evermore.” – Psalm 16:11