Rev. Gwen Diane Ehrenborg

God graciously gives distinctive gifts to people and to some abundantly so! Gwen Ehrenborg was a gifted pastor, preacher, author, actress, scriptwriter, educator, inspiring storyteller and founder of two para-church Christian ministries, among other creative ways to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and the gift of eternal life. In her personal life, she also possessed the endearing quality of being warm-hearted, meaningfully touching people's lives with the unconditional love of God. She could enter a room of strangers and, upon leaving, have six new friends. Her focus was always on others, and her selflessness left a lasting impact on everyone she met. When asked about her many extraordinary talents, abilities, and accomplishments, she would humbly give all the credit to Jesus Christ working through her.

While growing up in Chula Vista, CA, at age 17, she read a Bible verse that changed her life: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21 NIV) For Gwen, to live was Christ, and she lived the rest of her life serving God by serving people. Jesus Christ meant everything to her, and her deep love and devotion to Him was evident in every aspect of her life.

Gwen Ehrenborg was an ordained United Methodist Minister who earned a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Gwen brought a variety of life experiences to her teaching and preaching. She traveled widely and served for two years as a missionary in Zaire, Africa, and later in the interior of Mexico with her late husband, Ensign Gene Hunt. She later worked in the fields of education and nursing.

Widowed at age 27, while expecting a child, she later began to study theology as a single mother. Gwen married Todd Ehrenborg while they were in seminary, and as a clergy couple, they have served five churches together in California over a period of 43 years. Not surprisingly, Todd and their son Wesley have performed in several dramas Gwen wrote and produced.

Pastor Gwen was best known for her ministry "Living Witnesses", through which she dramatically portrayed outstanding women of Church history, including Susanna Wesley, the mother of John and Charles Wesley; Katherina Luther, the wife of Martin Luther, the great reformer; Lady Clare, the counterpart of St. Francis of Assisi; Catherine Booth, the co-founder of the Salvation Army; Mary of Galilee, the mother of Jesus; Judge Deborah of the Old Testament; and Mother Theresa the foremost humanitarian of the 20th Century.

As a General Evangelist for the United Methodist Church, Gwen brought her characters to life across many different denominations across the United States, Great Britain and Europe. Combining historical facts with Scriptural truths, she compellingly portrayed the exemplary life stories of these great women of faith for over 41 years. In retirement, Gwen reshaped her seven drama scripts into personal letters to readers in her book, "Our Church Mothers, Letters from Leaders at Crossroads in History."

Rev. Ehrenborg was an active member of NAUME, the National Association of United Methodist Evangelists, as well as a life-member of CITA, Christians in the Theatre Arts. Since

1984, Pastor Gwen's plays have reached thousands of people from all walks of life, including her highly praised living dramatization of Leonardo Da Vinci's masterpiece, The Last Supper.

In 2004, Gwen founded "Supporting Women In Ministry International" (affectionately called S.W.I.M.), a non-profit network of prayer/support groups across denominational lines to women in both churches and para-church ministries. S.W.I.M. offers retreats, mentoring, and ordination both in and outside the U.S.

In retirement, Gwen wrote her second book, "At Home in the Heart of God, A Journey through His Mighty Fortress," an allegory about "you" journeying through the heart of Father God, which is seen as A Mighty Fortress Castle. While Rev. Ehrenborg enjoyed preaching and Bible teaching, and traveled extensively as a speaker for Christian conferences, retreats, and seminars, her contentment was serving Christ alongside her husband, Rev. Todd Ehrenborg, and their son, Wesley Hunt. Now Gwen is celebrating the glory of God in His Holy Presence, for indeed, for Gwen, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If she were meeting you today on earth, she would encourage you, with her bright, baby blue eyes twinkling, with the words of Mary of Galilee, "Do whatever Jesus tells you to do." (John 2:5 CEV)

(In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Supporting Women In Ministry International (S.W.I.M.), 5022 West Ave N., Suite 102-142, Palmdale, CA 93551)