"Just being on the job site, you're a witness," Gamertsfelder said. "You're there representing Christ. You're showing them how you believe, what you believe."

This 78-year-old who retired from his optometry practice 13 years ago has been making mission trips for the Church of the Nazarene since 1973. He started the denomination's "Men in Missions" program, which in 1984 became known as "Work and Witness."

Last year, 639 Work and Witness teams fanned out around the world; since its founding, the mission program has involved more than 150,000 volunteers.

Gamertsfelder is a longtime member of Shepherd Church of the Nazarene in Gahanna, Ohio, where he has been organist, Sunday school teacher, and a member of the church board.

He also was the first man to serve on the Nazarene Missions International (NMI) board, and he spent 18 years on the NMI General Council.

Gamertsfelder has been in the mission fields of Europe, Asia, South and Central America, and the Caribbean. He has been especially busy in Haiti, making 20 trips there.

Thorugh the years, Gamertsfelder's "Mission of Sight" program allowed him to collect used eyeglasses, taking several hundred pairs at a time on his trips for those who needed them.

Doug McCloy, an optometrist with offices in Marion and Westerville, Ohio took over the Mission of Site collecting from Gamertsfelder about two years ago.

McCloy is leading a $500,000 (U.S.) fund-raising effort to build a medical clinic in Jamaica that will bear Gamertsfelder's name. McCloy once had a practice in Jamaica and has done missionary work there.

Gamertsfelder taught him what Work and Witness is all about, he said. "He is immaculately humble, and he's an excessive servant," McCloy said of Gamertsfelder. "He's abundantly compassionate. And he's a true man of faith who puts his faith into action."

McCloy said the Jamaica clinic not only will help people, but also will be an outlet for those who want to do mission work. He said it will be a fitting tribute to the man known as the father of Work and Witness.

"The amount of people that know or have been touched or impacted by the ministry is phenomenal," McCloy said.

June Cole attends the Shepherd church and is a friend of Gamertsfelder and his wife, Wanda. She said members look up to Gamertsfelder. "He's a very strong Christian, dedicated to the work he's doing for the Lord," said Cole.

Eddie Estep recently left Shepherd as pastor after six years to become the denomination's district superintendent in South Carolina. He called Gamertsfelder a "giving individual, a man of integrity."

"During the summer," Estep said, "a group from Shepherd went on a mission trip to Madagascar, and Gamertsfelder came to the airport to see them off." He said he cherishes a photo of Gamertsfelder giving him a hug before they left.

"Here's a guy that one day could be leading a team to any area of the world, and the next day would be mowing the lawn at church," Estep said.

Gamertsfelder has two children, Thomas of Pataskala, Ohio and Adria Schumann, who lives in Illinois. He has been cutting back on his mission trips, but he admitted he still would like to take to the road occasionally. Gamertsfelder plans to remain active in his church and stay available to consult with future Work & Witness coordinators and teams.

"I love to help people. You know, needy people," Gamertsfelder said. "It's just the compassion I have. It's what missionary service is all about."

The Church of the Nazarene's Central Ohio District News stated, "Paul Gamertsfelder has revolutionized the church and missions. Thank you, Dr. Paul, for your godly vision that is changing the lives of those who go on Work & Witness trips, as well as those who receive its benefits."

Linda Russ, Central Ohio District NMI, reports Gamertsfelder retired this past year from the General NMI Council and will be retiring as the District Work and Witness coordinator this year. In his honor, the East Central USA Regional Work and Witness Conference recognized and paid tribute to him through a video, a reception, and gifts.