Gerald and June McNeely

Missionaries in Spain

Gerald (1924-2017) and June (1924-2017) were both born and raised in Kentucky. They met in college and were wed in 1947. During and after attending Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., they pastored three Kentucky churches. From 1957 to1990 they served in Spain with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. In Barcelona, Alicante and Madrid they worked with the Spanish Baptist Seminary, now Seminario Bautista/Facultad de Teología UEBE, and with local churches. June was Seminary Librarian and taught Seminary student wives. Gerald had various Seminary roles including Professor, Vice-President and President. He led the Seminary in its move to Alcobendas, Madrid and in the new facility purchase and construction there. They both actively promoted Women’s Missionary Union and Sunday School programs throughout Spain. Gerald was also interim pastor at several churches and they helped found the Alcobendas Baptist Church in Madrid.

Their two daughters, Linda and Marsha, fondly remember good times in Denia where their family attended national missions meetings and helped lead summer camps for Spanish Baptist children and youth. When the McNeely family first arrived in Spain, the Spanish Baptists owned seven acres at the foot of Montgó Mountain. Their plan was to eventually build a camp/conference center but at that time the only structures on the grounds were a swimming pool and a small rustic dormatory building. Early camps utilized pup tents for some of the children. Now the campus includes the beautiful buildings of Colegio Alfa & Omega and La Iglesia Evangélica Bautista Trinidad - Denia. 

 After retiring from the ministry in Spain, Gerald worked with the Louisville Regional Baptist Association department of missions. They taught English as a second language to workers who only spoke Spanish. Gerald and June were both active with Women’s Missionary Union work and founded and fostered the Parents of Missionaries ministry in Kentucky.  Daughter Marsha and husband David Smith served as career missionaries in the Middle East. Daughter Linda works with children’s mission education in her church. Marsha’s and Linda’s families honor the legacy of Gerald and June as being among the pioneers of Baptist church growth in Spain.

Tribute provided by Russell and Linda Hoffman, Louisville, KY

January 2021