Assemblies of God World Missions commemorates the life of Willard Teague, a faithful missionary, educator, and servant of Christ whose ministry touched many throughout the nations. Raised in an Assemblies of God home, Willard committed his life to Jesus at a young age and soon began preaching, leading more than 50 revival meetings as a teenager. After marrying Jerlene Harris in 1961, the couple ministered as evangelists before answering God’s call to West Africa, where they spent 29 years serving as evangelists, church planters, and Bible teachers. Together, they helped establish the first Assemblies of God Bible school in San Pedro, Ivory Coast, and later founded and taught at the Ivory Coast Bible Institute in Daloa.

Willard’s ministry expanded as he and Jerlene moved to Togo, where Willard served 12 years as president of the West Africa Advanced School of Theology (WAAST), training pastors and leaders across West and Central Africa. Under their leadership, WAAST grew to include a new library, media department, and weekly attendance increased at the International Church and Conference Center on campus to more than 1,500.

In 1998, Willard and Jerlene joined the AGWM International Ministries Department, serving 18 years as academic dean of Global University’s undergraduate school of Theology and served for three years as associate dean for French-speaking students around the world. Their work later extended into Europe, where they founded the European School of Ministry in Paris, training African, French-speaking church leaders.

Throughout his decades of ministry, Willard remained a passionate teacher and mentor. His life’s work strengthened churches from Africa to Europe and shaped generations of Christian leaders. Today, we honor his unwavering devotion, his love for the gospel, and the global legacy he leaves behind.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, December 13 2025, at Central Assembly of God in Springfield, Missouri, at 11:00 a.m.