Beth Burdick receiving the Robe of Achievement, 1997

Beth Burdick’s love for the Lord and willing submission to Him was evident in her service to her denomination, her church, and her family. She accepted hard work as a way of life early growing up in a farming family in Depression era Southern California. Early in life she came to know the Lord and became a member of the Riverside SDB church.

When she and her friend Joan Clement were nursing at Pasadena’s Huntington Memorial Hospital in 1952 they accepted a call from the Missionary Society to serve at Makapwa Mission in Malawi (the Nyasaland), Africa. They left the next year to provide medical services. A few months later Beth was appointed superintendent for the interim between other missionaries and started supervising total mission work. When they first arrived in Malawi the nurses began their ministry to the sick in a small grass thatched hut. They saw about six patients a day. Beth did most of the medical work the first year as Joan was principal and teacher of Makapwa School. In 1957, Beth reported, “Our patients have increased from 6 per day to over 1,800 in a month.”

Beth served in the spiritual ministry as well. She and Joan soon began evening Bible studies for students. They wrote a study booklet for the baptismal class which Joan translated into the Chinyanja language. Beth also taught in the school, in pastors’ refreshers courses, and ministerial training.

Dr. Victor Burdick arrived in 1957 and was able to expand the medical services and facilities. One of Beth’s specialties continued to be dentistry and the nationals call her the ‘tooth doctor.’ In 1958, when the nurses returned from furlough Beth became interested in the young Dr. Burdick and they were later married at the Makapwa church with Rev David Pearson officiating. Their three children were all born in Malawi.

In 1970 they returned to the US and relocated to Los Angeles.  There Beth served as a deaconess, Sabbath School teacher, and was active in helping with Youth Fellowship. She hosted visiting pastors and missionaries. She often helped at Pacific Pines Camp as a nurse, teacher, or kitchen helper. She was also active in Bible Study Fellowship.

During the years that the Women’s Board was located in Los Angeles, she was the SCSC Committee chairman, handling the applications and follow-up. She also assisted the president of the board in numerous ways.

When the San Gabriel church was organized in 1983, Victor and Beth became charter members. They continued on the diaconate of the church until moving to Denver, CO in 1989.

Beth served the diaconate at the Denver church, was instrumental in organizing a church library, and taught a women’s Bible Study. After her father died, her mother came to live with them and Beth lovingly cared for her until her death at the age of 96.

At the time of this award Beth was actively involved in serving with her husband in Natural Evangelism Training (NET) as part of the team conducting retreats for SDB churches throughout the country.