November 14, 1934–January 29, 2025
“Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them’” (Rev 14:13, NKJV).
The editorial team of Elder’s Digest pay special tribute to Pastor Rex D. Edwards, DMin, for his remarkable contribution to this journal. Pastor Edwards authored an unprecedented sixty-two high-quality sermons and articles for Elder’s Digest. His literary work remains treasured and greatly appreciated by pastors, elders, deacons, and deaconesses around the world. It reflects his wider ministry, which was characterized by innovation, dedication, and excellence.
Following is a summary of the life and ministry of Pastor Rex D. Edwards:
Rex Daniel Edwards was born on November 14, 1934, in Christchurch, New Zealand, the second son of Leslie and Daphne Edwards’ seven children.
During his teen years, Rex’s life was profoundly shaped by the premature death of his father, at just thirty-eight years of age. As a result, Rex became more self-dependent, resilient, and determined. His religious journey also began at his father’s graveside when on a cold, rainy, winter’s day, with his brothers standing each side of his bereft mother cradling his sister in her arms, he pondered the universe and the meaning of life. Though he wanted to be a surgeon, he pursued a course of theological studies in his search for answers, earning a degree from Avondale College, now Avondale University, in Australia.
Graduating in 1956, Rex married Zelma Harris and the following year his ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church began. It was a ministry that spanned sixty-two years and covered three international regions: Australia, the United Kingdom, and North America.
In Australia, Rex served as a pastor-evangelist in Queensland, Western Australia, and New South Wales. His ministry was thoroughly supported by Zelma and their union was blessed with three children, Janelle, Paul, and Shane.
In January 1969, the British Union Conference invited Rex to serve as a pastor-evangelist. As well as conducting a successful series of evangelistic meetings, he also completed a master’s degree in religion at the University of Wales extension program from Newbold College.
In October 1970, Rex and his family moved to North America, for him to serve as a pastor-evangelist in Georgia, South Dakota, and Pennsylvania. He also completed a Master of Divinity degree at Andrews University and a Doctor of Ministry at Vanderbilt University.
In 1975, Rex was asked to lead the Department of Practical Theology at Columbia Union College, now Washington Adventist University. In August of 1981, he was invited to serve at the General Conference as assistant ministerial secretary. After eighteen years of service in the Ministerial Association, Rex was appointed vice president of religious studies for Griggs University.
During his retirement, Rex gave seven years of voluntary service as research assistant for the General Conference Biblical Research Institute.
