Portrait of Craige Steele. IMB Photo

Craige Steele, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel in Brazil, died July 21, 2024, in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was 85.  

Craige was born Feb. 11, 1939, in Kannapolis, North Carolina, to the late James Dennis and Helen Bell Steele. He graduated from Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tennessee; and received the Bachelor of Arts from Belmont College (now Belmont University), Nashville; and the Master of Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. 

During a fall revival at his church, Craige came to saving faith in Christ at the age of 11. When he was 15, Craige spent a sleepless night wrestling with God’s call on his life. The next morning, he told his pastor he had the assurance that God had called him to ministry.  

He married Ellen Barlow on March 26, 1960. After graduating from seminary, they served together in educational ministry in several churches in Mississippi and Tennessee.  

While seeking missionary appointment, Craige wrote, “While attending Foreign Missions Week at Ridgecrest (conference center in North Carolina) in July 1974, I once again felt God speak to my heart. The message I received was clear and specific. He clearly asked me if I would be willing to serve him anywhere — specifically in the area of foreign missions. Perhaps the most distinctive impression that I observed from the week was that missionaries are not some kind of ‘super-Christians’; rather, they are just ‘people’ yielded to God for service where he wants them … my response was, ‘Yes, God, if you want me, I am willing to go.’” 

 In 1975, the International Mission Board appointed Craige and Ellen missionaries to Brazil. They served in many roles including religious education, Sunday school work, Royal Ambassadors work, youth work, and volunteer coordination.  

Craige is survived by Ellen, his wife of 64 years; sons Luckey Steele (Christa), Les Steele (Tracy), and Lane Steele (Carolyn); seven grandchildren; and one great grandchild.  

 A funeral service was held July 24, at Union Baptist Church of Halls, Tennessee. 

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.