Mike Baldree, a beloved missionary based in Lake City, Florida, died unexpectedly on Jan. 17. He was 64.
“Mike Baldree has been a dear friend of Evangel Temple for over close to 50 years. We have supported Mike as a Missionary for over 35 years and have seen God use Mike as a modern day Apostle Paul through Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Europe. Mike’s heart was to see the unreached come to know Christ and for the Church to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Mike was used by God to see hundreds of churches built throughout the world. Mike will be deeply missed,” according to a statement from his church, Evangel Temple.
“He loved praying with people to experience the power of the Holy Spirit so that they would go out and change the world for Christ. He believed in the importance of the anointing of God upon each believer,” according to his obituary.
Melvin Michael Baldree was born in Clewiston, Florida, on Feb. 5, 1954. He studied at Southeastern Bible College and received his master’s degree from Asia Pacific University.
Baldree served as an international evangelist for 36 years. According to his obituary, Baldree and his teams are responsible for constructing 190 churches in China as well as many in Bolivia and Peru.
Baldree was also a family man.
“He loved his children and grandchildren with all his heart,” according to the obituary. “He was so proud of each one of them. He loved spending time with family. He would move heaven and earth to help each of them. His grandchildren were his heart and soul. And we pray a little bit of Grampz will be forever etched eternally in their souls. Mike will be greatly missed as a faithful Man of God, an encouraging leader and a devoted family man. Mike had an infectious personality, so to know him was to love him. He was full of life and cared so much for others.”
Several people left tributes on the obituary “Tribute Wall.”
“I was Mike’s English teacher when he was a student at Clewiston High School. When he came into my class, he was a very shy young man who struggled with his academics. With encouragement from me and from his classmates, Mike blossomed into this confident young man who could stand up in front of the class and speak without being nervous. I admired Mike so much that I named my son after him. I hoped that my son would grow up to be a strong Christian man like Mike and he is. Mike wrote a message to me about a year ago thanking me. I want to thank him for the privilege of having been his teacher. For letting me know that I had made a difference in his life. Vicky, I will hold you and your family in my prayers,” writes Cathy Metz.
Rachel and Bobby Daniels post: “Sorry to hear of your loss he is with the Lord looking down on you he is waiting for you to join him. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.”
Bill and Linda Thomas of Faith Assembly Orlando comment: “Our sincere condolences to the Baldree Family. We are forever grateful to Mike for introducing us to China and Bolivia missions works.”
Baldree is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Vicky Van Vleck Baldree, and their three wonderful children: Shanna (Sam) Lupica of Ohio, Michael (Cheri) Baldree of Turkey and TaShahnda Baldree of Lake City; five beloved grandchildren: George, Madison, Reagan, Alastair and Winston. He is also survived by his mother, Frances Deese, and his two sisters, Oveida Baldree Shackelford and Gayle Baldree Davis, many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Baldree’s memorial service will be Jan. 24 at 11 a.m. at Evangel Temple Assembly of God in Jacksonville.
