Sally McGregor, missionary, pastor, educator and wife of Don McGregor, went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, September 26 at 10:30 p.m. in Simi Valley, Calif. Sally Pickerill was born on September 16, 1926 in Parsons, Kan., to a family that would eventually have nine children including her brother, Don Pickerill, who pastored Christian Assembly in Eagle Rock, Calif., for many years.
After graduating from Kansas State University in Pittsburgh, Kan., Sally secured her teaching credentials and taught in public schools for three years in southern Kansas. As a nine-year-old child, she had received a call to missions but it wasn’t until she met Dr. Paul Royer that her life took a dramatic turn.
While ministering in Parsons, Dr. Royer spoke words of encouragement to Sally with this question, “Why aren’t you going to LIFE Bible College?”
With that inspired prodding, Sally packed her bags and joined her brother Don and sister-in-law Maurine in becoming a student at Life Pacific College (formerly called LIFE Bible College) in Los Angeles. It wasn’t long before Sally and fellow Kansan, Don McGregor, were spending a lot of time together, and like many students, became engaged and were married in 1951.
After graduating from Bible college in 1953, Sally and Don planted the Pittsburgh, Kan., Foursquare Church. After serving there for five years, they were appointed by the Foursquare Missions International board of directors to the Philippines as missionaries from 1958 to 1972. While in the Philippines, Sally served on the faculty of the Foursquare Bible College in Manila and was director of the Manila Christian Day School from 1964 to 1967. Later, Don was instrumental in founding the Foursquare Headquarters in Quezon City, Philippines.
With a proven track record of training leaders on the mission field, Don and Sally were asked to serve as executive directors of Life Pacific College in 1972. Don and Sally brought a real refreshing to the Bible college as a whole. The McGregor’s giftedness with people was evidenced in the way the faculty and staff responded to their leadership. Sally taught courses on missions, and Don traveled and spoke at many church gatherings, encouraging pastors and local congregations to partner with the college in training a new generation of leaders.
The McGregors have been known for their hospitality and mentoring relationships with key leaders from around the world. Recently Don and Sally were honored by Life Pacific College with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sally and Don have three children–Mike, Robin and Julie–and seven grandchildren. A celebration memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 4 at 11:00 a.m. at Sonrise Foursquare Church, which is located at:
2350 Shasta Way
Simi Valley, CA 93065.
In honor of Sally, a work-study scholarship fund for students training to be full-time missionaries has been established at Life Pacific. Don and the family are ask that contributions in lieu of flowers be made to:
Sally McGregor Scholarship Fund
Life Pacific College
1100 Covina Blvd.
San Dimas, CA 91773
