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5/29/97 Evangelist Eddie Martin dies of cancer at age 81


LANCASTER, Pa. (BP)–Eddie Martin, whose evangelistic ministry spanned more than 50 years, died of cancer May 11 at age 81 in a Lancaster, Pa., hospice.
Martin had focused his efforts on the country of El Salvador in recent years, preaching before thousands and raising funds for the construction of six church buildings there.
Known as “The Soul-Winning Evangelist,” Martin worked with more than 1,250 pastors in 1,500 crusades across the country and published a widely used four-booklet evangelistic series, “The Law of the Harvest.”
Martin regularly sought during his evangelistic meetings to visit in homes with a pastor, church staff member or layperson to present the gospel three times between 4 p.m. and the start of the evening’s service.
He also served as a mentor to more than 30 young preachers and set aside sizable amounts of the offerings he received to form an endowment which will continue to support other full-time evangelists through his Eddie Martin Evangelistic Association.
In a 1992 compilation of letters from leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention and around the world presented to Martin, W.A. Criswell of First Baptist Church, Dallas, wrote, “No one in this living earth has been more blessed of God in soul-winning than have you. I cannot remember when you were not God’s anointed servant pleading with men and families to give their hearts and lives to the Lord Jesus.”
Martin was a native of Philadelphia who had lived in Lancaster more than 70 years. He was a graduate of Moody Bible Institute during the 1930s and had placed his membership at First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Fla.
Martin is survived by his wife, Evelyn; a son, Terry; two daughters, Sandy and Cindy; and six grandchildren. His funeral and burial were May 17 in Lancaster.