Athal Tolhurst

Called to lead and to serve

Friday, August 5, 2016
The pastor who became an administrator but always remained an evangelist

Not many 16-year-olds can claim to have run an evangelistic series. Athal Tolhurst is one. Born in Tonga to missionary parents, “I grew up with an intense love and regard for the Word of God,” says Tolhurst, the recipient of the 2016 Homecoming honour year citation for the Class of 1956. Running the series in Hamilton, New Zealand, with friend David Currie awakened in Tolhurst a “strong sense of God’s call” to dedicate his life to ministry and led him to Avondale.

Studying at the Australasian Missionary College had another benefit—Tolhurst developed a relationship with music student Linley Willis. The two married in December 1957. Graduating as class president with a Bachelor of Arts (Theology), Tolhurst’s first pastoral role was in Port Pirie, South Australia, followed by others in New South Wales and Western Australia. Three children soon joined the family—sons Dean and Wesley and daughter Kerrie.

In 1975, Tolhurst accepted the role of President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s North New South Wales Conference, then five years later as President of the Trans-Tasman Union Conference and five years later again as Secretary of the South Pacific Division. In 1991, the call came to serve as Undersecretary of the General Conference. “Making a contribution and associating with the leaders of God’s church was a wonderful privilege,” he says.

These administrative duties took Tolhurst around the world—he visited almost 100 countries before retiring in 2002. At an evangelistic series in Fiji where he preached with Pr Aisake Kabu, Tolhurst recalls becoming so absorbed in his sermon he forgot to pause for translation. When he remembered, he turned to ask Kabu if he was keeping up, to which Kabu replied, “I’m OK—I’m ahead of you!” “To this day, I’m not sure whose sermons led the several hundred persons to decide for baptism—his or mine!”

The Class of 1956 honours Pr Athal Tolhurst for his life of service to and ministry within the Adventist Church.

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Sara Bolst
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Sara Bolst

Sara edited alumni magazine Reflections and served as Assistant Public Relations Officer during her tenure at Avondale College of Higher Education.