Wheaton College Alumni Magazine Winter 2014 | Page 41
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profile
the lighthouse keeper
by Marisa Foxwell ’13
Like his dad before him, David McCarrell ’57
spent many years caring for the
homeless in Chicago through the Pacific
Garden Mission, founded in 1877
and known as the “Old Lighthouse.”
After coming to Chicago
to find cheap drugs to satisfy his intense
addiction and staying up for four days
straight, Carl sat on a street corner
completely broken. For 20 years, he had
been in and out of jail, psychiatric wards,
and treatment centers. Then on a cool
April morning, he decided to go to the
Pacific Garden Mission (PGM), and to
accept the food and rest they offered.
Shortly before this issue
of Wheaton went to press,
we were saddened to
learn of the death of David
McCarrell. His life is also
remembered on page 54.
For David McCarrell, Sr. ’57, who
retires this year after serving for 17
years as president of PGM, serving
men and women like Carl has been the
greatest joy in leading America’s largest
continuously operating rescue mission.
expanded the women’s and children’s
classes and the men’s Bible study. He
instituted the Bread of Life Ministry in
2001, which organizes the sharing of
the gospel and donation of food to those
in Chicago’s government-subsidized
housing projects every Wednesday. With
his vision, the medical/dental clinic and
the Gospel League Home have also
undergone renovations to better meet
the physical needs of patients.
“It’s a busy place. We give out more than
3,000 meals a day and sleep nearly
1,000 people every night,” explains David.
“And we don’t turn people away.”
Christine McCarrell Horner, and Cathryn
McCarrell Kucera ’86. They also have
two Wheaton grandchildren, Megan
Thornton ’13 and Katelyn Thornton ’16.
David remembers his Wheaton time
fondly. He was strongly influenced by
the leadership of President Edman. He
also remembers, “Whatever we studied,
whatever we were doing, we wanted to
share our faith in Christ.” It’s a principle
that he has carried with him.
Philip Kwiatkowski, the new president of
PGM, says of David, “He is approachable
to everyone, whether you are homeless
or executive staff. It is a blessing to be
able to build on his great legacy.”
David first encountered PGM through his
father, Dr. William “Billy” McCarrell, Sr.
D.D. ’41, who was heavily involved in the
ministry for more than 50 years. Pastor
of Cicero Bible Church and a Wheaton
College trustee, Billy had a heart for the
people of Chicago.
From the start, David and his team
emphasized the promise of Proverbs
3:5-6. He says, “God directs our path
and supplies for us in surprising ways.
He still works in miracles.”
After serving in the military, David
attended Wheaton, where he proposed
to Judy, his high school sweetheart.
While their four children were growing
up, Judy stayed at home and later taught
preschool for 20 years. The couple’s
children include Caryn McCarrell
Thornton ’82, David McCarrell Jr. ’84,
For his part, Carl couldn’t agree more.
He gave his life over to God, and now
works for the Greater Life Ministries,
ministering to guests in situations similar
to those of his past. “PGM allows people
like me—who had no hope or faith—to
become healed and achieve things for
God’s glory,” he says.
“It was a job he loved and hated to give
up,” says David’s wife of 58 years, Judy
Gedde McCarrell ’55.
Before serving as PGM’s president,
David worked as a member of the board
for seventeen years, and spent nine of
those years as chairman. He took on
the role of president only after he retired
from his first career—teaching high
school physical education and coaching
football.
Under his leadership, PGM introduced
a career development program, a
Polish ministry, and GED classes, and
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