Wiliam Haas

Born June 4, 1873, William Haas demonstrated a sensitive nature and profound religious interest even as a young child. Even before his salvation in his teen years, William sensed God would eventually call him to missions in Africa. After working as a schoolteacher and pastor, he and his second wife, Genevieve, left for Africa in 1911. There, they served in Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic. In 1920, William founded a mission agency of his own, Baptist Mid-Missions. However, years of physical hardship in Africa took their toll, and William died from complications of malaria on May 28, 1920, in Bangassou, Central African Republic.

William’s remarkable giftings extended to linguistics (he learned at least six African languages), poetry, and music. It was likely during his years as a pastor in the Midwest that he wrote the hymn “Over Life’s Pathways I Journey” (published by A.B. Simpson) and three other unpublished hymns as well as an instructional manual, The Handbook for New Missionaries.

Nancy Freund, Baptist Mid-Missions