Our hearts are heavy to share that Matt and Savannah Gardner, graduates of West Coast Baptist College and missionaries to Uganda, were involved in a tragic accident today in which they were struck by a train.
Savannah, who is the granddaughter of Dr. Jim Rushing, passed away at the scene. Matt is currently hospitalized with very serious injuries. We have been informed that their two young sons, Jedidiah (age 4) and Mason (age 2), were not injured. At this time, other BIMI missionary families in Uganda are helping care for the children.
Matt surrendered to preach and to serve as a missionary under the preaching ministry of Dr. Don Sisk. Savannah surrendered to serve as a missionary after hearing a message from Dr. Mark Rasmussen. Matt and Savannah met while students at West Coast Baptist College, were married in 2019, and have faithfully served the Lord together in Uganda since that time. They were godly students and doing a wonderful work for Christ in Uganda. Their love for Christ and commitment to share the gospel have been evident to all who know them.
I have spoken with the Gardners’ sending pastor, Dr. David Pittman, who shared that Matt’s father will be traveling to Uganda this week to be with his son. I have also spoken with Savannah’s father, Ronald Clapp, and had prayer with him during this time of grief. We have also been in contact with Dr. David Snyder at Baptist International Missions, Inc., who is assisting with care and coordination on the field.
Please pause and pray right now for Matt’s healing and for God’s comfort, peace, and sustaining grace for Matt, their precious children, and both the Gardner and Clapp families as they walk through this sudden and profound loss.
For those who would like to send a love offering, it may be given through BIMI, and designated for the Matt Gardner family (Account #1623).
We will share updates as they become available. Thank you for joining us in prayer during this difficult time.
