The Foursquare family has lost one of its legendary pioneering missionaries with the passing of Mason Hughes Jr., 92. He went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Oct. 2, in Concord, N.C.
In 1956, Mason and his wife, Virgene, whom he joins in heaven, launched our movement’s outreach to Papua New Guinea (PNG), a legacy that today spans more than 1,800 churches, four Bible colleges, and missionaries sent out to surrounding Pacific Island nations and throughout the world, including the founding of the Foursquare Church here in Singapore (1983).
A Tribute to Dr. Mason Hughes and his wife, Virgene
Joyce and I first met Mason and Virgene Hughes in 1986 when they came to speak at the Foursquare church in 29 Palms California where we were pastors. They stayed in our home and shared about the work in Singapore and SE Asia. We had started our application with Foursquare Missions and they encouraged us to pray about coming to Singapore.
Two years later we were sent out as new missionaries to work with the church that the Hughes had pioneered in Singapore while they continued starting new works in other SE Asian nations. We lived with them for the first few months until they moved into an apartment nearby. They were spiritual parents to us and the believers in Singapore and SE Asia (who called them Papa and Mama) and it was quite natural for our small boys to start calling them grandpa and grandma Hughes.
We had the opportunity to work under the gentle but firm leadership of the Hughes’ and to be enriched by the wealth of wisdom and experience that they had acquired over decades of ministry in Papua New Guinea and the nations of SE Asia. They were loved and respected as elders and clearly demonstrated apostolic ministry in pioneering new works and opening new nations for the establishment and growth of Foursquare ministry. Pastor Hughes had great favour and success in his interactions with all kinds of people including government officials, leaders in business and education as well as ordinary folk from every walk of life. Their love, sincerity and genuine interest in people won hearts wherever they went.
The Hughes’ were deeply committed to the ministry of God’s Word and believed in and experienced the work of the Holy Spirit. They and those that they trained saw miracles, signs, healings and, on a few occasions, people raised from the dead. They depended on the Holy Spirit and raised up Spirit-Filled churches and believers everywhere that they ministered. They were also effective evangelists who shared the Gospel with people at every opportunity. Introducing people to Jesus was their lifestyle and this has left an eternal impact.
The Hughes’ had a wonderful marriage and deep affection for each other and their family. They loved talking about and sharing photos of their children, grandchildren and, eventually, great (and great, great) grandchildren. They were models of godly marriage and family life and this was one of their most memorable and endearing qualities. Many people can attest to the fact that as the years went by, they became even sweeter and more Christ-like as they continued to grow in their faith.
Mason was born in Kentucky and he and Virgene arrived in Papua New Guinea in 1956 to pioneer the Foursquare work in this primitive tribal nation. Interestingly, I was born in Kentucky in 1956 and my middle name is Dixon. Joyce and I have lived in Singapore from more than 20 years and served the nations of SE Asia that were pioneered by the Hughes’. Mason graduated to heaven on October 2nd, 2021, the day before my 65th birthday. We also served in Papua New Guinea for 6 years where we saw first-hand the lasting fruits of the founders. A special joy was to be there for the 50-year anniversary of Foursquare PNG when the Hughes and many family members were able to return and celebrate the wonderful growth of the work which currently has over 1700 churches and missionaries sent out to other Pacific Island nations.
We have had the privilege of walking in the large footsteps of this wonderful couple who were faithful to their calling and finished their race exceptionally well. Mason, along with Virgene, were true treasures to their family, many nations in Asia, the Foursquare church and to us. We celebrate his life and send our condolences to the family at this time of grief and loss as well as expectant hope.
With gratitude,
George and Joyce Butron