Dr Mike Townsend (1947-2023): Pioneer of blind Christian ministry

Dr Mike Townsend was never limited by his sight loss, and instead lived his life to the full, completely committed to the proclamation of the gospel and the inclusion of disabled people in the body of Christ, says Gordon Temple

Dr Mike Townsend, the serving chair of trustees for two respected Christian organisations, died in hospital in Antigua on 28 November, aged 76. Travelling with his wife Edith, Mike had been on a ‘holiday of a lifetime’ cruise through the Caribbean when he became critically ill.

Mike lost his sight completely when he was eight years old and was educated in specialist residential schools. It was in his teens, while at Worcester College, that Mike first encountered Christians among his fellow students. A conversation with one of them on 3 December 1965 led Mike to pray, taking the first step in his lifelong journey as a Christian. Mike’s rock-solid Christian faith became the foundation of his life from that day forward.