Remembering Eunice Brubaker

Eunice Brubaker, a friend and one of the best Nazarene Missions International (NMI) Presidents I have ever worked with, passed away September 5, 2023.The Global Church of the Nazarene wrote a beautiful tribute to her that we are reproducing below. However, I would like to include some words here as well.

Eunice was an extraordinary mission’s leader. Her experience as a missionary undergirded her entire ministry, and she led with an entrepreneurial spirit. In a time when some (wrongly) stereotyped missions as boring due to uninspiring presentations they had witnessed before, Eunice broke that mold dramatically! I still remember when she brought a half pipe onto the stage in Olathe College Church’s sanctuary for a Kansas City District Convention. Teenage skateboarders and BMX riders rode down the aisles and began to fly up and down that half-pipe! It was glorious chaos! She urged all of us as delegates to think and act EXTREME, and also to allow children and youth to lead the way in our missions programming and planning. I still don’t know how she got the permission to do all that!

Eunice was the epitome of positivity. When I was tired or discouraged, one interaction with her would send me away feeling rejuvenated. In some ways that’s the essence of a good mission’s leader, right? If missionaries feel cared for and their burdens are lifted as a result of your presence and ministry, you’ve fulfilled your purpose quite well from my perspective!

Eunice, you are already missed. Thank you for investing in all of us. It will be great to party with you in heaven someday. I know you’ve already started.

Eunice Brubaker, 68, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away on 5 September 2023 after a long battle with cancer. She was a minister, chaplain, missionary, and former global Nazarene Missions International president. She had been chaplain for the Kansas State House of Representatives since 2007. 

Eunice was born on 4 May 1955 to Ray and Dorothy Marlin in Indianapolis, Indiana. She graduated from Franklin Central High School and went on to attend MidAmerica Nazarene College (now University), where she graduated in 1977. She earned a master’s degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary.

In 1979, she entered the missions field, serving in the Philippines until 1991. She taught at Luzon Nazarene Bible College (now Philippine Nazarene College) and was a great mentor to the LNBC students.

When she returned state-side, she met her husband, Ken Brubaker, whom she married on 6 March 1993. Together, they shared 30 years working in many areas of ministry.

Despite exiting the missions field, Eunice’s passion for missions remained strong throughout her life. She served as global Nazarene Missions International (NMI) president from 2000 to 2008 as well as global NMI vice president, Kansas City District NMI president, and the NMI president of her local church.

“To know Eunice was to know the passion for NMI and the lost,” said Global NMI Director Lola Brickey. “Many around the world know Jesus because Eunice invested her life and energies into the spreading of the good news and Scriptural holiness, making Christlike disciples in the nations. We celebrate Eunice’s life of service and ministry and her commitment to NMI and the work of missions.”

Eunice and Ken coordinated Work & Witness trips, sharing the gospel in over 56 countries.

She served on staff at Lawrence First Church of the Nazarene (1993-1995), Topeka Fairlawn Church of the Nazarene (2004-2012), and led Water’s Edge Church of the Nazarene (2016-2022). She was an adjunct professor at MidAmerica Nazarene University and taught at Cair Paravel Latin School.

In 2007, Eunice became the chaplain for the Kansas House of Representatives. 

“Eunice was a wonderful chaplain with a heart for service to the Lord,” said House Speaker Dan Hawkins in a statement. “The courage she displayed over the past few years was truly inspiring to all.”

Representative Robyn Essex called Brubaker’s death a “great loss” in a Facebook post.

“Even when she was not feeling well, she was determined to start our sessions with an encouraging word and prayer,” Essex said. “Sometimes it took great effort just to get her voice to work, but her words were always anointed.”

Eunice was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Stephen Ray Marlin. She is survived by her husband, Ken; brothers, Robert and Timothy Marlin; sister, Alice Palmer; seven nieces, and four nephews. 

Visitation, where the family will greet friends, will be Wednesday, 13 September 2023 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene, 3501 SW Wanamaker Road, Topeka, Kansas. A Celebration of Life service and reception will follow at 10 a.m. The graveside service will take place at 1 p.m. at Prairie Home Cemetery.