The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry

James P. MacLean
A TRIBUTE

James P. MacLean

Jesus taught that the true measure of a man is what he does with the limited time and talents he has been given. On April 7, 2020 The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry lost a revered colleague and friend, James P. MacLean.

God used Jim for over 50 years to counsel and guide this ministry. As a member of the Board of Trustees, he may not have been known by everyone, but he had an immense impact on the ministry.

Jim MacLean first became affiliated with The Friends of Israel in the 1960s when our first executive director, Victor Buksbazen, engaged this young Christian attorney to provide legal counsel to the ministry. Thus began a relationship that lasted for over 50 years. Jim is the only person to have worked with each of the five executive directors of The Friends of Israel.

In the 1980s, Jim MacLean became a member of The Friends of Israel Board of Trustees and served as board chair for 30 years. Jim was a steadying hand whenever the ministry faced challenges and skillfully guided the ministry through troubling waters. He always stressed the importance of doing things in order because that is God’s way and it should be ours as well. Jim was valued for his reasoned judgment, wise counsel, and commitment to operating the ministry at all times with honesty and integrity.

In 2017, Jim retired from active board membership and took on a new role as emeritus trustee. Jim is now with his Savior in heaven, enjoying his respite from this life. To a faithful steward of the Lord who accomplished so much with all that God gave to him we say, “Well done Jim! You used your God-given talents and gifts to serve Him with distinction.”

Jim Showers
Executive Director/President
The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry