Jose Gustavo Minay

Jose Gustavo Minay, age 82, passed away peacefully Thursday, July 25, 2013 in his home surrounded by his family. He was born on May 14, 1931 in Santiago, Chile, South America, and resided in Cleveland, TN the last 6 years of his life. He spent his childhood in Santiago where he accepted the Lord at age 14. During his teenage years he ran track for his school and later became champion of the 100 meter dash. Due to his excellent athletic carrier he won a full scholarship to become a Veterinarian. It was during this time that he received the call to ministry and chose to go to Seminary. Before he accepted his first commission to plant a church in the city of Antofagasta, Chile he met and married his sweetheart Silvia Eliana Zarate at age 20. This was the beginning of his long distance race towards "the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Rev. Vessie D. Hargrave in his first visit to Chile with the desire of planting the Church of God there, met with Pastor Minay who brought his church into the denomination. Shortly afterward, he went at his own expense to the country of Paraguay to establish the Church of God. After 12 years, he started more than 20 churches and a Bible school. He was personally involved in church planting and during this period he faced fierce opposition and persecution from other religious groups that even led to his jailing. In his life race, Rev. Minay was privileged to have led the church in Uruguay (1966-1969); Chile (1969-1973); Guatemala (1974-1983). Following the Guatemala assignment, he served as overseer of the Southeast Hispanic Territory in the United States (1983-1986). World Missions then asked him to direct the work of the church throughout South America as Field Director, until 1998. It was then that he returned to his beloved Chile where he was able to serve as National Overseer from 1998-2004. Having completed his official appointments he then returned to his heart calling of pastoring. He then became the Senior Pastor at Living Faith Church of God in Santiago, Chile (2004-2008). His final assignment before he went to be with the Lord was pastoring his numerous family in Cleveland, TN. He is survived by his wife Silivia Eliana Zarate de Minay and his children: Dr. Jose D. Minay; Eliana E. Minay; Rebeca and (Jose) Durand; Rev. Israel and (Debbie) Minay; Lidia and (Thomas) Grassano; Esther and (Antonio) Cazorla; Ana and (Thomas) Christian; Carmen and (Juan Carlos) Ballestas; Samuel and (Maria Eva) Minay; Sara and (Daniel) Brown; Victoria Minay; Gabriela and (Jonathan) Brummett; Silvia and (Christian) Kozak; along with his 21 beloved grand children. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday, July 29 at 3:00 p.m. at North Cleveland Church of God Dixon Center. The viewing will be from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the church prior to the Celebration Service. Follow the ceremony the interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Church of God World Missions. Funeral Arrangements are being handled for the family by Grissom Funeral Home. Mark S. Grissom, Funeral Director. Online condolences may be sent to www.grissomfh.net