Rev. Edward "Ted" Allan Cline

A remarkable man has entered heaven and the presence of his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. On Sunday July 14, 2024, Rev. Edward (Ted) Allan Cline, age 90, born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, passed into eternity with God while at Sentara RMH Medical Center in Harrisonburg, VA. When he was 11, Ted gave his life to Christ in response to understanding the forgiveness and grace offered to those who repent and believe. He and his family attended Delta Tabernacle, where he played the violin in the church orchestra. As he matured in his faith, he came to hear God's call to serve in full time ministry with The Christian and Missionary Alliance. In 1957, he married his deeply beloved wife, Marjorie Joyce (Nicholas) Cline. In 1959 they moved to Vietnam and Ted was soon asked to lead the work of the (then known as) British & Foreign Bible Society in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Innovative and energetic in this ministry of printing and distributing the Word of God in numerous languages, Ted was then asked in 1969 to lead the Asia/Pacific work of the United Bible Societies, based in Singapore, to provide scripture for the countries of the Middle East and across all of Asia and the Pacific Islands. Later ministry with the American Bible Society in New York and the International Bible Society provided continued opportunity to serve the worldwide church. In 1982, Ted was asked to lead The Christian and Missionary Alliance Intercultural Ministries. In that role, he served and helped to develop leaders of the hundreds of immigrant language congregations across the United States. Described by a denominational leader as "a man ahead of his time," Ted was a visionary leader. His incredible gifts of servant leadership, humility, insightful and compassionate understanding and guidance, patience and wisdom, allowed the pastoral leadership teams of a wide variety of languages and cultures to thrive and multiply their congregations. Finally, Ted served the Central Pacific District of the C&MA as District Superintendent from 1996 until 2002. Retiring to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, Ted and Marjorie became active members of the Staunton Alliance Church, serving others with the gifts the Lord had given them. Across the years and around the globe, Ted left a lasting impression on those he served and those who served with him. His life blossomed with the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and the loving faithfulness, goodness, self-control and patience, which characterized his every interaction - at home, at work and in the world - can only be attributed to the life of Christ within him. Ted's union with Marjorie, an extraordinarily close marriage of 67 years, was a vital source of his strength and well-being. Their marriage richly blessed their children and extended family, as well as all the congregations of which they were a part. Ted was known for his love for congregational singing, and he was passionate in prayer. The family loved his droll humor and witty puns. Ted is survived by his deeply beloved wife Marjorie Cline. Also surviving are two daughters and their husbands, Robin and Ira Martin, Janice and Andrew Gardner II, Beverly Baxter, former daughter in law; six grandchildren, Melanie Glagola (Joshua), Sandra Prokopchak (Philip), A. Daniel Gardner III (Erin), Mark Cline Jr., Peter Gardner (Stacy), Nathan Gardner; and seven great-grandchildren, David Glagola, Alexis Glagola, Andrew Gardner IV, Reagan Gardner, Ezra Gardner, Zoey Prokopchak and Viktor Prokopchak. Ted is also survived by his sister Beatrice Robinson of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, his sister-in-law and husband, Karen and David Phillips, and several nieces and nephews. Ted was predeceased by his parents, Robert Barnes Cline and Charlotte Frances (Edwards) Cline, of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, who raised him in a Christ-honoring family. He was also predeceased recently by his beloved son and first-born child, Mark Edward Cline, Sr., of Moneta, Virginia. Ted Cline's life demonstrated the compelling character of Jesus in every way. Shaped by the Word of God, Ted lived his faith with integrity at home and in public. The family grieves the loss of his presence with us, even while we know he is experiencing untold joy in the presence of our God in eternity. Pastor Paige Adams will conduct a memorial service on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 11:00 am, at Staunton Alliance Church, 560 New Hope Road, Staunton, VA. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lindseyfuneralhomes.com.