Elwood McQuaid

Elwood McQuaid, age 93, passed away at his home on Easter Sunday, March 31st, 2024. He was proceeded in death by wife, Maxine, son Tommy and son-in-law Jeff Cleary. He leaves behind children Andy (Gwen), Missy, and Jason (Jana). The McQuaids were also blessed by 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Elwood was born in Michigan to Elwood Ashley and Anna Hoppe McQuaid on May 21, 1930. In 1948, Elwood and Maxine became born-again Christians and dedicated their lives to serving Christ wherever, and in whatever manner they were called to serve.

Following preparation for the ministry in South Carolina, the family moved to Virginia where over a span of 24 years he served as pastor in 3 churches, the final being 15 years at Timberlake Baptist Church in Lynchburg. While there he founded Timberlake Christian Schools in 1965, which was the first distinctively Christian institution of its kind in the region.

In 1977 Elwood joined the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry (FOI) where he served in a variety of capacities before his appointment as Executive Director in 1989. During his tenure at FOI, he began a world-wide radio ministry, served as Editor-in-Chief of Israel My Glory Magazine, an award-winning publication with some 200,000 subscribers in over one-hundred countries. In addition, he traveled extensively in Israel and the Middle East. Over the years, Elwood became a prolific writer of eighteen books, including the best-selling ZVI, and hundreds of articles published in various journals, newspapers, and other publications. He was often sought as a speaker and subject of interviews by groups including well-known national and international organizations. On five occasions he was the keynote speaker for the National Prayer Breakfast in Honor of Israel and traveled throughout the US providing commentary and interaction on the nature of the issues between radical Islam, Israel, and the Western World.

In an interlude in his association with the Friends of Israel, Elwood ministered for eight fruitful years with the Moody Bible Institute as a National Conference Speaker and Bible teacher in a cherished association that enriched his ministry over the years.

Elwood and Maxine have been blessed, not only with a loving and loyal family, but have been surrounded by a large circle of faithful friends here on earth and many others now with our Lord and Savior in Glory. The family would like to express our appreciation to the caregivers at Centra Home Health and Centra Hospice who were so helpful during Elwood’s last days. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, PO Box 908, Bellmawr, NJ 08099.

Services will be held Monday, April 8th, at 1:30PM at Whitten’s Timberlake Chapel, with committal at Virginia Memorial Park in Forest, Virginia to follow. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service (12:30) and conclude ten minutes before the service begins (1:20).