Many will have heard by now of the passing of Donald N. Bastian, originator of this Just Call Me Pastor blog. Dad went to be with the Lord on April 6, 2024. He was 98.
Dad was born and raised in Saskatchewan by English immigrant parents who left the coalfields of Lancashire in search of a better life as landed immigrants. They accumulated between them a total of six years of formal education (six years by his mother, and six weeks by his father). His parents had known destitution in England, and they therefore possessed profound “immigrant vigor” and a boundless work ethic, which Dad “inherited.” His insistent traits were motivation, wedded to a kind of daring and entrepreneurialism, energy and a strong work ethic, curiosity, a sense of humor, and a relentless drive for righteousness and justice in all his dealings.
Dad’s story is profoundly intertwined with Mother’s. She was a remarkable person in her own right, the infrastructure of family life, and left us for her eternal home with the Lord in November 2023, at 97 years of age.
Dad’s initial plan was to be a singer. A recording from approximately 1945 revealed a surpassingly beautiful and musical voice. His calling from the Lord changed to pastoral ministry, however, and Dad and mother together pastored churches in Lexington, Kentucky, New Westminster, British Columbia, and Greenville, Illinois. The remaining 19 years of their ministry were spent in the bishopric of both the United States, and Canadian branches of Free Methodism.
One of Dad’s books is The Pastor’s First Love: Reflections on a high and holy calling. Dad’s first love was indeed the Lord and his holy Word. Immediately thereafter came his love for Mother. He told me perhaps two years ago: “I want everyone to know that your mother and I lived out a real love story.” Next came the family. He cared about the details of our lives, right down to his great-grandchildren. And finally, he loved writing, music, cars, and chocolate.
His final book is a memoir: From Kitchen Chair to Pulpit.
Dad is interred next to Mother in a family cemetery near Dunnville, Ontario. What should go on their headstone? Righteousness and Justice are the Foundation of Your Throne? For Our Citizenship is in Heaven? Home At Last with the Lord? Absent From the Body is Present With the Lord? If only the entire Bible could be written there…
For those interested, Dad’s (and Mother’s) funeral services can be found on the website of Wesley Chapel Free Methodist Church Toronto: https://www.wcfmto.com/.
PS: Dad wanted some editing done to some of his later blogs, and JCMP may not shut down quite yet… R. Bastian
Just Call Me Pastor 
Good morning,
Thank you for the inspiring words about your father and your mother. I was privileged to hear your father speak at Wesley Acres, and enjoyed From Kitchen Chair to Pulpit.
Brian Lowry