Ben W. Mieth Jr., supporter of global missions and Wayland Baptist University, died Dec. 8 in Glen Rose. He was 92. He was born on May 9, 1933, in Fort Worth to Ben and Ruth Mieth. His first experience in international missions came when he participated in a short-term, church-to-church partnership mission trip to Japan. The four teams from Baptist churches in West Texas saw 1,000 people make professions of faith in Jesus Christ. Mieth was convinced the same approach would work in Mexico. So, he worked with pastors in the Ojinaga area to partner with Texas Baptists in Vacation Bible Schools and evangelistic outreach. The initial mission trip resulted in 1,500 professions of faith in Christ and led to subsequent invitations to other areas in Mexico. Mieth and others at First Baptist in Seminole established the global missions and evangelism initiative as a nonprofit organization, forming International Crusades. The organization rebranded itself as International Commission in 2000. Mieth served on the Wayland Baptist University board of trustees from 2018 to 2022. His philanthropic gifts to the university included a $2.5 million donation to Wayland’s nursing education program in San Antonio and a $1 million commitment to improvements in Wayland’s Plainview campus. “Ben Mieth was an extraordinary man whose life reflected deep faith, strong character, and servant leadership,” said WBU President Donna Hedgepath “Wayland is a better place because Ben followed the Lord’s call with boldness and obedience. We praise God for his life and the eternal impact of his ministry.” He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Glen Rose. Mieth was preceded in death by his sister, Nellie Helen Mieth Flanary, and by his wife of 71 years, Bertha Dell Mieth on April 9, 2025. He is survived by daughter Debra Cavett and her husband Rodney; daughter Miki Martin and her husband Woody; son Bennie Mieth and wife Elaine; nine grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. Visitation with the Mieth family is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 20 at First Baptist Church in Glen Rose. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. on Dec. 27 at First Baptist in Glen Rose. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the First Baptist Church Glen Rose Building Fund or to the International Commission.
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