Theodore Henry Goslen

Theodore (Ted) Henry Goslen arrived in Greensboro, North Carolina on Sunday, June 18,1961. His parents Frank and Mary Anne Goslen gave him the name Theodore, meaning “Gift from God.” From his childhood stories he lived up to that name… most of the time. Still, his mother knew that this son would have a special relationship with God. Being active in his home church Lawndale Baptist, he began to follow a path that would eventually lead to that special relationship as a minister. Along the way he received wisdom and guidance from his parents. At the age of sixteen, Ted was called by God into full-time Christian ministry. His formal education came from Page High School, then later at Wingate College (now University). He was on Wingate’s very first soccer team where he learned humility some weekends. His summers were spent ministering as a youth pastor at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in King, NC. With a BA degree, some experience, and love in his heart to help others, he enrolled in Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY graduating in 1986. He was a youth pastor at Ridgewood Baptist Church for two years, then he was ordained into full-time Christian ministry. After his ordination by Lawndale Baptist, Ted’s first place of full-time spiritual leadership was at the Hawaii Baptist Academy in Honolulu, HI from 1986 through 1991 as the campus minister. Ever the athlete and sports enthusiast, he widened his ministry by being part of Athletes in Action. His first pastoral calling came from the First Baptist Church of Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii. God had him serve there for ten years. It was during this time that God brought a helpmate into Ted’s life. He and Leah Boggs were married on July 16, 1994. In August 2001 they began serving together at Hillcrest Baptist Church, Richmond, CA where Ted was called as pastor. Later, the family ministry team expanded with two sons, Thaddeus and Caleb. The work ended for Ted October 16, 2022, after a seven-month battle with cancer, when he left us like he joined us, on a Sunday. Theodore was aptly named. For all of us who knew him were blessed by the gift of his life. Now healed in Heaven and walking with his Lord and Savior Jesus, Ted is terribly missed by his wife and best friend of 28 years, Leah Goslen, precious sons Thaddeus and Caleb, mother, step-father, two brothers, one sister, mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, church family, and many friends. A memorial service followed by a meal will be held at Valley Bible Church in Hercules, CA on November 11, 2022 at 11:00AM PST. The family requests that attendees wear Aloha Attire. No suits please. Instead of flowers, financial help is greatly appreciated for Leah and sons: www.givesendgo.com/TeamTed