Pamela Jean Balch

Pam was a great wife, mother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, neighbor, co-worker and sister in Christ. But beyond all, she loved and loves Jesus and was and is a servant of His. This quick summary covers her childhood, her concern for those around her in the world, her service to God, her love for her family and most importantly, her strong relationship to Jesus.

Pam was born and entered our world on October 28, 1954 about 15 minutes after her parents reached the hospital. Even then she did her best to make things easy for her family and the people around her! She was a delight to her family as she grew up. When she was old enough to enter the school system she embraced learning and the love of learning remained with her lifelong, especially the things of God. She taught her younger brother to read when he was quite small. She learned to sew in Home Economics and made good use of that talent. She also learned to build in Shop. And she learned to sing in choir. She was very active in the family church: singing in the youth choir and teaching a children's Sunday school class. She gave her heart to the Lord during a worship service when she was in her teens.

Throughout her adult life, she cared for the underprivileged and those in need. She helped people thru a mission church in Venice, California. She also helped underprivileged children in East Palo Alto—many of whom were new to this country. She was a caring neighbor who—with husband and son—gave neighbors Christmas and Easter treats and tracts. She also was a great boss. When she ended one position where she supervised up to 20 employees, she was given a plaque with the inscription “Pam’s Championship Season”. One employee wept because Pam was such a decent manager. She also was a diligent student at U.C.L.A., where she graduated with high honors with a degree in philosophy. Pam always displayed a sincere commitment to any project or task she was involved in, to complete it to the best of her ability.

She also served in various capacities in churches. She taught Sunday School; co-led the deacons and deaconesses at one church; and led or helped lead numerous Bible studies. Her biggest ministry was editing sermons at Peninsula Bible Church which potentially affected the lives of thousands. She was an astute student of the Word.

She was married to Steven Balch for over 45 years. Their son was Daniel Balch. She was a solid rock for both her husband and her son because she knew God and His Word well. She was fantastic at keeping the house in good shape—like the wife described in Proverbs 31. She also cared deeply for her mother, brother and sister-in-law. Her going to be with Jesus—while glorious—has left a huge gap in the lives of her family. She had great love for her immediate and extended family and enjoyed being with them at every opportunity.

Most importantly, she loved God and His Word. Every day she would have a substantial quiet time and studied God’s word. She didn’t like her husband to “chit-chat” before that quiet time was over. She wrote about Scripture in her later years. These are the final sentences she wrote in her writings as far as we know:

“Peace be to you all who are in Christ.” Jesus said in the Olivet Discourse, just shortly before his arrest, trial, and death, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you…. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.” Peace is His gift to us. How can we experience this peace when it feels like the world is falling down around our shoulders? Trust Him—the good plans of God for us are going forward. “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” He will take you through the storm, out the other side, and safely home.