On July 12, 2025, members of the Alliance family gathered in Nyack, New York, to dedicate the new gravesite of A. B. Simpson and his wife, Margaret.

Because of the closure of Nyack College and Alliance Theological Seminary—where the original burial sites were located—the campus’s new tenants required a relocation of the graves since they were previously interred on the property. Their new resting place at Oak Hill Cemetery, located just miles from the former, signifies more than a relocation—it represents a recommitment to the missionary vision Simpson championed over a century ago.

Bernie Van De Walle, from the Canadian Alliance, shared on the personal legacy of A. B. and Margaret while Jeff Quinn, a long-time Alliance pastor and leader at Nyack College, described the lasting heritage of the school. Kelvin Walker, district superintendent of the Metropolitan District, led the group of about 50 people in singing some Simpson hymns, and President John Stumbo shared from his heart about the passion and purpose of The Alliance.

“Jesus Only”: Simpson’s Enduring Message

Albert Benjamin Simpson launched a humble movement in 1881 that would eventually grow to encompass nearly 24,000 churches worldwide. At the very core of his life and ministry, even from the beginning, was a singular conviction: “Jesus only.”

That message shaped all of Simpson’s ministries—from the Missionary Training Institute (which later became Nyack College and Alliance University) to the Gospel Tabernacle, the Berachah healing home, Christian Publications, and beyond. These institutions, however, were never the ultimate goal. They were the means by which Simpson pursued his greater calling: to proclaim the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ to the world.

As Jeff Quinn, former Nyack College faculty member, noted, “The story of the school in Nyack is the story of the DNA of Albert Benjamin Simpson. And, as it always has, that story continues.”

The vision that formed the foundation of The Alliance—a deep spiritual impulse to take the whole gospel to the whole world—remains just as vital today. That story continues through Alliance people who carry Simpson’s heartbeat: a love for the lost, a passion for Jesus, and a willingness to go, no matter the cost. 

A Stone That Still Speaks

Etched into Simpson’s gravestone are the words that sum up his entire life and ministry: “Not I, but Christ.” This message—simple, powerful, and timeless—continues to shape The Alliance movement today. As we look toward the future, we do so with both gratitude and renewed commitment.

In Simpson’s own words: “Jesus only is our message. Jesus all our theme shall be. We will lift up Jesus ever. Jesus only will we see.”