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Timeline for John Timothy Kauffman
Born: June 25, 1942
Died: February 1, 2024
John Timothy Kauffman (Tim) passed away at age 81 on February 1 , 2024 in Tucson, Arizona after a lengthy illness. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary-Esther, his son John D. (Alysia) Kauffman, his sister, Mabeth (Doug) Clem, and grandchildren, Caleb, Joshua, and Zoe Kauffman.
Tim was born in Hartford, Connecticut on June 25, 1942. He grew up in Nampa, Idaho and Quincy, Massachusetts. He graduated from Quincy High School in 1960 and from Eastern Nazarene College in 1964 with a major in mathematics. In 1966 he married his sweetheart, Mary-Esther Jones. Having accepted God’s call into full-time ministry, he enrolled at Nazarene Theological Seminary, earning a Master of Divinity degree.
Tim ministered in the Church of the Nazarene as Assistant Pastor in Warren, Pennsylvania, and as Senior Pastor in Cape Elizabeth, Maine; West Berlin, Germany; Bonames, Germany; and Cambridge, Massachusetts. He earned a Masters Degree in Missiology and Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. On an adjunct basis, Tim taught at Azusa Pacific University Graduate School of Theology; as well as at Gordon Conwell Seminary’s urban campus in Boston; the Armenian Bible College and several Korean seminaries in California. He traveled to Armenia, Korea, Ecuador and Guatemala to teach intensive courses, and he successfully mentored students from Korea and Armenia.
In 2011 , in their retirement years, Tim and Mary-Esther moved to Tucson to be near family. Amid worsening health conditions, Tim pursued his passion for writing materials to help pastors and laypeople build the Kingdom of God. He had a love for people of all races and cultures. His focus was to bring down the dividing walls between these groups as members of the Body of Christ. He is the author of Reconnecting the Church, and Lessons on the Journey to Christ’s Lordship. Tim was also a co-author of the book, Developing Leaders for Urban Ministries, and was a contributing author for God So Loves the City.
Tim was a faithful servant of Christ, a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He cherished his many friends and family members, at home and abroad. He enjoyed singing, watching sports, gardening, and a good steak. His legacy is one of selfless ministry, scholarship, and love for everyone. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to JESUS Film Harvest Partners: https://www.jfhp.org/ or Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene Missions projects: https://ovcn.church/give/
The family wants to thank those who have sent cards, emails, text messages or made phone calls. Your encouragement, practical help, love and prayer support mean more than we can say.
Tim was a good friend . colleague, and encouager. My life and the Church has been blessed and enriched by his presence and ministry.
Tim was a friend across settings and years. We miss him and extend our prayers and love to Mary Esther.
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you bid a sad farewell to Tim from this world and at the same time, celebrate his arrival in God's heavenly Kingdom. What a day of rejoicing in heaven to welcome a faithful servant !
We wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the entire family. We did not know Tim personally, but experienced his last days, in part, through the expressions of love and concern for Tim by our dear friends Mabeth and Doug. We pray that the Love of our dear Lord and Savior would be with you as you rejoice in Tim’s home-going but also, deal with the daily struggle of his loss. In Jeremiah 31:3 Our God says”I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee” We pray that you all feel his everlasting love always. Millie and Steve Hill
May your soul rest in peace Tim. You were my beloved professor and friend. You inspired me with your love and kindness from the benches of the classroom at Boston CUME campus and after seminary, through years of personal friendship and kind mentoring. I still love applied anthropology thanks to your passionate instruction. I will always remember you for your love of spreading the Good News to all generations. Your GTCS alumni, Alain Ndagijimana
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Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Marana Mortuary & Cemetery.
Tim was a good friend . colleague, and encouager. My life and the Church has been blessed and enriched by his presence and ministry.
Tim was a friend across settings and years. We miss him and extend our prayers and love to Mary Esther.
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you bid a sad farewell to Tim from this world and at the same time, celebrate his arrival in God's heavenly Kingdom. What a day of rejoicing in heaven to welcome a faithful servant !
We wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the entire family. We did not know Tim personally, but experienced his last days, in part, through the expressions of love and concern for Tim by our dear friends Mabeth and Doug. We pray that the Love of our dear Lord and Savior would be with you as you rejoice in Tim’s home-going but also, deal with the daily struggle of his loss. In Jeremiah 31:3 Our God says”I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee” We pray that you all feel his everlasting love always. Millie and Steve Hill
May your soul rest in peace Tim. You were my beloved professor and friend. You inspired me with your love and kindness from the benches of the classroom at Boston CUME campus and after seminary, through years of personal friendship and kind mentoring. I still love applied anthropology thanks to your passionate instruction. I will always remember you for your love of spreading the Good News to all generations. Your GTCS alumni, Alain Ndagijimana
Marana Mortuary & Cemetery
Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Marana Mortuary & Cemetery.