Contact: Matt Green, Pioneers-USA, 321-231-5624

ORLANDO, Dec. 27, 2012 /Standard Newswire/ -- Fondly known to many as "Uncle Jack," Dr. Edwin L. Frizen, Jr., 87, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 10:50 in the evening in Orlando, Florida, after a period of illness and declining health. He passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord.

Born March 9, 1925, he was named Edwin Leonard Frizen Jr. Jack's parents dedicated him to missionary service when he was three. He responded to the gospel at age six during a tent meeting his father was holding for children and at age 12 dedicated his life for missionary service.

While serving in the U.S. Navy Seabees during World War II, Jack was heavily involved in the launch of an evangelistic program that was the beginning of SEND International. After several years of service in the Philippines, Jack and his wife, Grace, were placed on loan to the Interdenominational Foreign Mission Association (IFMA) of North America, where Jack served as executive director from 1963-1991 and consulting director from 1991-92.

Throughout his life, Jack served in many different capacities. He was an honorary U.S. Board member of SEND International and served as an officer and board member of a number of Christian organizations, including: the Evangelical Missions Information Service, National Association of Evangelicals, World Evangelical Alliance and the WEA Missions Commission, the Tyndale House Foundation and the Henry Parsons Crowell & Susan Coleman Crowell Trust.

"Jack Frizen was a true mission statesman," noted Steve Moore, president of Missio Nexus. "His passion for the Great Commission and unity in the body of Christ was evidenced by his involvement in the founding of SEND International, his 29 years of leadership with the Interdenominational Foreign Mission Association, and his public support of the merger that formed Missio Nexus. His life example inspires all of us to persevere and finish well."

He served as Acting U.S. Director for Pioneers-USA from November 1998 to August 1999. He served as a member of the U.S. and Canadian boards of Pioneers and Pioneers International Council.

Jack was an active member of Filipino International Christian Church in Orlando. He was preceded in death by his beloved sweetheart Grace Elizabeth Howell Frizen on December 27, 2005, after over 55 years of marriage.

A memorial service is planned for 10:30 a.m., January 11, at Wycliffe Bible Translators Volunteer Center, 10968 John Wycliffe Blvd., Orlando, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions to the Edwin L. Frizen, Jr. Missionary Training Fund at Pioneers (account #150670). Updated information on arrangements will be posted on Pioneers' website.

Pioneers is an evangelical mission movement with 2,600 international members serving on 250 church-planting teams in 100 countries among 180 people groups in 117 languages. For more information and to find out how you can get involved, visit www.pioneers.org.