Forrest Dale Bohlen, 1954-2023
IMB Photo

Forrest Dale Bohlen, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel in Venezuela and Chile, died May 11, 2023. He was 68.

Forrest was born July 22, 1954, in Danville, Iowa, to the late Leo and Neva Bohlen. He graduated from Danville High School and received the Bachelor of Arts from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and the Master of Divinity at Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

In college, he met Becky Kay Foard. They married Dec. 31, 1977. They were happily married and served in ministry together for 45 years.

Out of seminary, Forrest served as minister of youth and the associate pastor at Woods Chapel Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas. After that, he served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Gainsville, Texas.

In 1989, the International Mission Board appointed Forrest and Becky missionaries to Venezuela. They served in Venezuela for 20 years as church planters and six years in Chile, where they served other missionaries through member care.

Since retiring from the IMB, Forrest has served on staff at Centerpoint Church in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, as pastor of Hispanic ministries for the small church he and Becky planted.

Forrest was described in his obituary as “a gifted and godly man who loved his family, his calling and his Lord. He had both a great sense of humor and a serious walk of faith. Forrest will be missed but not forgotten. He was well-loved and he loved well. He will be remembered as a hard-working servant, helping and serving so many, and for his smile and contagious laugh. He lived by the words of Philippians 1:21, ‘For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.’”

Forrest is survived by his wife, Becky, of 45 years; his daughters Rachael Wanta (Jon), and Sarah Parker (Dalon); and his grandchildren, Addie, Taylor, Lola Johnson and Elijah Forrest Parker.

A funeral service will be held at Centerpoint Church, Pagosa Springs, Colorado, on Monday, June 12, 2023.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Lottie Moon Offering, IMB, 3806 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230, or online at Generosity Resource Center – IMB Generosity.

Read an obituary here.