A Painful Loss and a Potent Reminder

This past weekend I received the shocking news that a good friend to Oceans Ministries, Pastor David was murdered, in what has been described as a “mindless crime.” My soul has been aching as I think of David’s wife Lizzy, his two boys, and the CRC church family.

Several years ago I met Pastor David as the church was just getting underway in a local school. I was always blessed by his powerful preaching and his vision to reach Lesotho with the the Gospel. A little over 5 years ago when I left the pastorate to start Oceans Ministries Pastor David asked me to preach and share the vision of Oceans to the church. It was Father’s Day, and I preached from Romans 8:15, sharing that we are no longer slaves to fear but we are children adopted into a glorious family of the Father’s love. As I finished the message Pastor David whispered to the praise team, and they played the song “Oceans!” I wept, as I felt the presence of the Father’s love through David and the church affirming the call to launch Oceans.

Since that Sunday the CRC became Oceans Ministries church in Africa. Every team we have brought out since then have experienced God’s Spirit moving in life changing ways through the worship and Word. We have witnessed team members from the United States come to Christ, as well as amazing healings of heart and body. Often those who have joined us will say they have been in church their entire lives and have never encountered God like they did at the CRC. Pastor David & his wife Lizzy helped create this Spirit-soaked atmosphere through their preaching, prayers, persistence faith during difficult days, and a passionate love for Jesus and others.

Pastor David’s death is a painful loss for many of us but join me in praying that the Father’s love will be poured out over David’s family and the church family. And that David’s passing will ignite many others to take up his mantle and bring the message of the Father’s love to Lesotho, Africa, and the world.

David’s sudden passing to Heaven is also a potent reminder of how to live life now. Patty and I had a divine appointment this past Sunday night as we got to met with my stepdad Bill’s daughter Lori, who also has experienced incredible loss as her husband Don was killed in a tragic work accident in June. She was sharing how her husband would say “our best life is ahead of us” as his retirement was soon approaching. Lori said to us, with an angelic glow, that Don’s sudden death has taught her , “our best life is right now!” Her words, in light of David’s tragic death, was a holy reminder to live “our best life right now” to the fullest for our Father’s glory!

Take comfort in these words from Romans 8:37-39:

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”