Don Double (1934-2024): A pioneering evangelist who took Jesus to the forgotten places

Don was born on 27 June 1934. The impact of the second world war and contracting TB made for a difficult and challenging childhood. He left school unable to even write his name, something that makes the incredible impact of his ministry even more remarkable.

He was led to Christ under the ministry of Peter Scouthern, who mentored him in the early years of his faith and inspired him to become an evangelist. In 1962, while he was based in Ipswich, he was first invited to preach in St Blazey, Cornwall, by Edgar Trout.

A trip from Ipswich to Cornwall was something of a mission in itself in those years, but such was Don’s tenacity and obedience to God’s call (characteristics which the Lord greatly used throughout his life) that he made the journey, and St Blazey became a place that remains special to the Double family to this day. It was here that he met his wife Heather, known for her catchphrase: “course you can!” It is a phrase that continues to influence many to this day. Don and Heather had five children, who have all gone on to serve God in a variety of ways, 15 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

He was a remarkable man who made an indelible mark on the UK Church

Don’s early years were ones of relentless itinerant gospel ministry. He was so committed to taking the good news to forgotten places that he lived entirely on the road, taking his family with him. They had no home and based themselves wherever the Lord took them. It was only when their eldest son, Steve, reached school age that they finally settled permanently in Cornwall.

Don established The Good News Crusade (GNC) in 1968, and it was shortly after this that he established the legendary GNC Camp. We are now blessed by a huge number of Christian festivals in the UK, but Don was truly the pioneer. In the early years, he worked closely with Jean Darnell and the camps regularly featured globally-renowned speakers such as Derek Prince, Ed Cole and Judson Cornwall. Just how influential these camps were cannot be overstated. Over the years, thousands of people attended, and many came to know Christ and were baptised.

Anointed by God

Many people regard Don Double as the UK’s Billy Graham. His ministry was characterised by a simple and powerful faith, utter trust and confidence in the gospel and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to bring healing and transformation. Physically tall, he had presence - but more so was the presence of God over and around him. Anyone who met Don (and I include myself) soon found themselves hanging onto every word he spoke. You knew that he was an ordinary man who had been touched by an extraordinary anointing from God.

He was so committed to taking the good news to forgotten places that he lived entirely on the road

As Don’s ministry grew, his influence spread to other nations, in particular East Africa. Huge evangelistic missions attracted vast numbers of people; training schools were built, churches were planted, orphanages were established and schools set up to educate children. On home soil, many evangelists were raised up, including Jonathan Conrathe, Yinka Oyekan, David Abbot and countless others.

Passing on the baton

Some years ago, more focused on legacy than his own name and platform, Don passed the ministry baton on to me. Today, Edge Ministries continues to take the good news of Jesus to those who are least likely to hear it.

To this day, it is not uncommon to bump into people who met Christ through the ministry of Don Double. He was a remarkable man who made an indelible mark on the UK Church.

Don went to be with Jesus on 5 August 2024. I’ll finish this obituary with words that I know Don would want me to. He spent his whole life pointing beyond himself to his saviour, Jesus Christ, and it would seem only fitting to do the same on his call home. Jesus promised, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35).