Rev. Robert K. Rodenbush

Rev. Robert K. Rodenbush was born July 17, 1940, in Danville, Illinois. From the age of thirteen, he sensed a call to preach the Gospel. While attending Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, he met Evangeline, the daughter of a pastor, who would become his beloved wife and partner in both life and ministry.

In 1960, at just nineteen years of age and while still a university student, Robert demonstrated remarkable vision and faith by reopening a church in Cutler, Illinois, that had been closed for ten years. He and Evangeline were married July 7, 1962, and together devoted themselves to the work of God. Under their leadership, the congregation in Cutler flourished, reaching an average attendance of 177 in 1968 and a record attendance of 350 on Easter Sunday that same year.

In the fall of 1968, Robert and Evangeline were appointed by the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) as the first resident missionaries to Ghana, West Africa. Accompanied by their one-year-old son, Rob, they embarked on a pioneering missionary ministry that would leave a lasting impact across the continent. During their ten years of service in West Africa, they opened five nations to the Gospel—Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Benin, and Ivory Coast—and established the Ghana College of Bible. A powerful revival swept through the region, resulting in thousands being baptized in Jesus' name, filled with the Holy Ghost, and discipled through hundreds of churches and Christian schools.

In 1978, Rev. Rodenbush was appointed Coordinator of Overseas Ministries for the Foreign Missions Division of the UPCI, where he played a pivotal role in expanding global missions and developing new missions’ initiatives. Among his most significant contributions was the founding of the Associates in Missions (AIM) program, which became one of the most influential ministries of Global Missions. Today, AIM continues to provide short-term personnel to assist missionaries worldwide and remains a primary pathway for future career missionaries. During this period, Rev. Rodenbush also served as the China Outreach Director, making fourteen trips into China to minister to believers and provide Bibles and training materials. He was also instrumental in the founding of Compassion Services International and served as its first director from 1985 to 1990.

In September 1990, Robert and Evangeline Rodenbush were appointed Regional Directors of the Europe and Middle East Region (EME Region) by the UPCI General Board. In this capacity, they provided leadership and support to missionaries, national leaders, and believers across 76 nations and territories spanning fourteen time zones and representing more than 1.2 billion people.

Over the next twenty years, the Rodenbushes helped lead a season of extraordinary revival. Under Robert & Evangeline's leadership, forty-two more nations were opened to the Gospel and the EME Region experienced growth exceeding 500 percent. In December 2010, sensing the completion of one season of ministry, Robert and Evangeline retired from their role as Regional Directors and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, to be near their family. Shortly thereafter, at the invitation of then Indiana Bible College President Paul D. Mooney and Executive Vice President Rob Rodenbush, Rev. Rodenbush helped develop the college's missiology department and degree program, serving as Dean of International Studies and Missions, until his full retirement in 2025.

Rev. Rodenbush was respected not only as an anointed preacher and visionary leader but also as a gifted administrator. He was known for his accessibility, his careful attention to detail, his extensive knowledge and records of the history and policies of UPCI Global Missions. Together, they were a force who dedicated their lives to taking the whole Gospel to the whole world and their ministry carried them around the globe where they preached, taught, encouraged missionaries, and strengthened national leaders. Reflecting on their journey, they once wrote: "We have packed many suitcases, boarded many airplanes, and waited for many hours in airports. We have slept everywhere—in airplane seats, cars, on floors, benches, and in countless beds. We have traveled by airplanes, trains, carts, camels, elephants, buses, boats, and more."

After visiting 147 countries during a lifetime of ministry, Robert embarked on one final journey in the early morning hours of Monday, June 8, 2026—the greatest of them all. He looked forward with anticipation to being reunited with his beloved wife, Evangeline ("Sissy"), and to meeting face-to-face the Savior he faithfully proclaimed throughout his life. "These all died in faith... confessing that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth... But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." (Hebrews 11:13–16).

Rev. Robert K. Rodenbush served forty-eight years as a member of the Global Missions Board and twenty years as a member of the General Board of the UPCI. He held ministerial credentials with the UPCI for sixty-six years and, in 2015, was inducted into the Order of Faith, one of the fellowship's highest honors.

A church planter, pastor, missionary, administrator, teacher, mentor, and friend, Rev. Robert K. Rodenbush leaves a great legacy of sacrifice, leadership, and global influence that will continue to inspire generations to come. Following the passing of his beloved wife, Evangeline, Robert was lovingly cared for by his son, Rob; daughter-in-law, Jaye; and grandchildren, Micki and Robbie. Their devotion, sacrifice, and daily care allowed him to spend his final years surrounded by the family he cherished so deeply. Nothing brought him greater joy than celebrating the accomplishments of his grandchildren, in whom he took immense pride.

His influence reached far beyond the pulpits he preached from and the nations he visited. It lives on in the family he loved, the missionaries he mentored, the leaders he developed, and the countless lives he touched through a lifetime of faithful service to God.

He is survived by his son, Robert L. (Rob) Rodenbush; daughter-in-law, Jaye Mooney Rodenbush; granddaughter, Micki Evangeline Rodenbush; grandson, Robert Mooney (Robbie) Rodenbush; sister, Sibyl Swinney; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of sixty-two years, Evangeline Rodenbush; his father, Robert Carl Rodenbush; his mother, Esther Hayworth Rodenbush; and his brother, Barry M. Rodenbush.

Memorial Contributions

The Rev. Robert K. Rodenbush Memorial Missions Fund c/o The Tabernacle at Sandy Creek 5707 N. Sandy Creek Drive Seymour, IN 47274

This fund is established in memory of Rev. Robert K. Rodenbush to sponsor mission’s efforts.

Special Thanks

The family gratefully acknowledges the love, prayers, encouragement, and support of:

 The UPCI Global Missions Family

 Christ the King Apostolic Church of O’Fallon, Illinois (Rev. & Mrs. J. Andrew Romine)

 The Tabernacle at Sandy Creek of Seymour, Indiana (The Arrowood Family)

 Abundant Life Church of Benton, Illinois (Rev. & Mrs. Chris Hammonds)

 Christensen Family Funeral Home (The Christensen Family)

The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Christ The King Apostolic Church, located at 6920 Old Collinsville Road, O'Fallon, Illinois. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 at the same location. Internment will follow at 3:00 PM at Franklin Cemetery located at 12799 Franklin Cemetery Road, Wittington. Illinois.

More obituary information will be posted as it is made available.

Daniel and Betsy Christensen have been entrusted with the arrangements.