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25 Christians Who Died in 2025

In Memoriam (Listed by Date of Death) Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.  Blessed indeed, that they may rest from t...

Showing posts with label In Memoriam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label In Memoriam. Show all posts

Monday, December 29, 2025

25 Christians Who Died in 2025



In Memoriam (Listed by Date of Death)
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Blessed indeed, that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!" (Rev. 14:13)


1. Bill McCartney died on January 10, 2025, at the age of 84. He had served as the head coach of the University of Colorado football team and founded Promise Keepers as a men's ministry. Read Bill McCartney's online obituary. 


2. Arthur Blessitt died on January 14, 2025, at the age of 84. He was an American evangelist notable for carrying a large wooden cross around the world. Premier Christian News writes, "He walked more than 43,000 miles through over 300 countries and territories, setting a Guinness World Record for the longest walk/pilgrimage as a form of evangelism."


3. General (Dr) Paul A. Rader (Rtd), the 15th international leader of The Salvation Army, died on January 18, 2025, at the age of 90. He was a prolific author and influential Christian ministry leader.
4. Jack Hemmings died on January 24, 2025, at the age of 103. He was the co-founder of Mission Aviation Fellowship in 1945. Read a tribute article about Jack Hemmings. 

5. Martin Marty died on February 25, 2025, at the age of 97. He was an American Lutheran religious scholar and taught at the University of Chicago Divinity School. He wrote many columns for The Christian Century publication. Read Martin Marty's online obituary.

6. Dr. Stephen Manley died on March 4, 2025, at the age of 82. He was an American evangelist and the pastor of Cross Style Church of the Nazarene in Lebanon, Tennessee. Read Stephen Manley's online obituary.


7. George Foreman died on March 21, 2025, at the age of 76. He was a professional boxer, businessman, minister, and author. Read George Foreman's online obituary.

8. Joan Brown Campbell died on March 29, 2025, at the age of 93. She had served as a politician, pastor, and ministry leader. She was the first woman to serve as the executive director of the US office of the World Council of Churches and the first woman to serve as the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. Read Joan Brown Campbell's online obituary.
9. Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. He served as Pope and head of the Catholic Church from 2013-2025. He chose Francis as his papal name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. He was the first Latin American and Jesuit pope. Read Pope Francis' online obituary. 


10. Squire Parsons died May 5. 2025 at the age of 77. He was a Gospel musician who was notable for composing the classic song, Sweet Beulah Land. Read Squire Parson's online obituary.

11. Kay Arthur died on May 20, 2025, at the age of 91. Her mission was to teach the Bible. She was the co-founder of Precept and authored over 100 books and Bible study guides. Read Kay Arthur's online obituary. 

12. Dr. Norman Hutchins died on June 5, 2025, at the age of 62. He was a Gospel musician from California who penned songs such as God's Got a Blessing (with my name on it) and Jesus I Love You. Read Norman Hutchins' online obituary.

13. Jennifer Lyell died on June 7, 2025, at the age of 47. She was a Southern Baptist and had served as an editor and executive at Lifeway. She was credited with drawing attention to sexual abuse in the church as a whistleblower in the Southern Baptist Convention. Read Jennifer Lyell's online obituary.
14. Jimmy Swaggart died on July 1, 2025, at the age of 90. He was a Gospel musician, Pentecostal, and the pastor of Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Jimmy Swaggart Ministries operates Sonlife Broadcasting Network. Read Jimmy Swaggart's online obituary. 


15. Dr. John F. MacArthur died July 14, 2025, at the age of 86. He was a Reformed Baptist who was a prolific author, conference speaker and the pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California for 56 years. 


16. Lt. Jason Hauser was promoted to glory on August 18, 2025, at the age of 41. He was serving as a corps officer/pastor in The Salvation Army in Columbia, Mississippi at the time of his death. Read Lt. Jason Hauser's online obituary.
17. Dr. James Dobson died on August 21, 2025, at the age of 89. He was a public speaker, author of numerous books on the family and founder of the ministry known as Focus on the Family. Read James Dobson's online obituary from Christianity Today. 


18. Commissioner Robert A. Watson was promoted to glory on September 8, 2025, at the age of 91. He served as an officer/pastor and leader in various roles in The Salvation Army. Read Commissioner Robert Watson's online obituary.


19. Charlie Kirk died on September 10, 2025, at the age of 31. He was shot and killed while speaking at a rally at Utah Valley University. He was the Founder of Turning Point USA with headquarters in Arizona.  Read Charlie Kirk's online obituary. 


20. Voddie Baucham, Jr. died September 25, 2025, at the age of 56. He was a Reformed Baptist pastor and served at the end of his life in Zambia. He founded Voddie Baucham Ministries. Read Voddie Baucham's online obituary. 


21. Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt died on October 9, 2025, at the age of 106. She was assistant dean and academic adviser at Loyola University Chicago and notably served also as the team chaplain to their men's basketball team.


22. Morris Chapman died on October 20, 2025, at the age of 84. He was a pastor who served as the President of the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination. Read Morris Chapman's online obituary.

23. Dr. James H. Diehl, Sr. died on November 2, 2025, at the age of 88. He was a pastor and church executive who served notably as a General Superintendent in The Church of the Nazarene from 1993-2009. James Diehl's official obituary by his denomination is on the Nazarene website.


24. Larry Ford died on December 13, 2025, at the age of 78. Larry Ford was a Southern Gospel tenor who spread his music ministry around the world for decades. Read about Larry Ford's passing at this report.



25. Jim Bzoskie died on December 19, 2025 at the age of 76. He was the founding pastor of the Cornerstone Bible Church in Hastings, Minnesota. After helping a stranded motorist outside of his church in the Winter weather he returned to the church and passed away of an apparent heart attack. Read Jim Bzoskie's obituary online. 

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Sunday, December 30, 2018

75 Christians Who Died in 2018



In Memoriam (Listed by Date of Death)
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Blessed indeed, that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!" (Rev. 14:13)


1. Arthur Roheim died on January 5, 2018, at age 99. Arthur Roheim was a youth minister from Chicago who co-created the Awana program and served for over 70 years in the child and youth discipleship organization. Christianity Today released Arthur Roheim's obituary.

2. Commissioner Grace Chang was promoted to glory on January 5, 2018, at age 81. Commissioner Grace Chang was a retired officer in The Salvation Army. Her positions of ministry included being a Territorial Leader for The Salvation Army in the Korean Territory and in the Western USA Territory.  The New Frontier Chronicle published Commissioner Grace Chang's obituary.

3. Chuck Murphy died on January 9, 2018, at age 70, from brain cancer. Chuck Murphy was a retired bishop who was founder of the Anglican Mission in Americas (AMiA). Christianity Today published Chuck Murphy's obituary.

4. Edwin Hawkins died on January 15, 2018, at age 74, from cancer. Edwin Hawkins was a Christian musician who won several Grammy Awards and wrote many songs, including his signature song, "Oh, Happy Day." The Christian Post published Edwin Hawkins obituary.



5. James W. Sire died on February 6, 2018, at age 84. James W. Sire was a long-time editor for InterVarsity Press (IVP). He helped promote authors such as Francis Schaeffer and Rebecca Manley Pippert. In 1976, he edited and wrote his most famous work, The Universe Next Door.  Christianity Today published James Sire's obituary.

6. Billy Graham died on February 21, 2018, at age 99.  Billy Graham was a world renown Christian evangelist and author. Billy Graham preached the Christian message to more people in person than anyone in the history of Christianity. Graham was on Gallup's list of most admired men and women a total of 61 times, more than any person in history. He was the founder of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Christianity Today published a special tribute to his life.



7. Liu Dongkun died on March 5, 2018, at age 98. Liu Dongkun was the former senior pastor of the Australian Clayton Chinese Christian Church in Melbourne, Australia. The Chinese Christian Daily published Liu Dongkun's obituary.

8. Yvonne Staples died on April 10, 2018, at age 80. She was the baritone voice and business manager for the Gospel singing group the Staple Singers. Her obituary was written by the Independent.

9. Clifton Rhodes died April 16, 2018, at age 74, from ALS.  Clifton Rhodes was the pastor for 45 years at Messiah Missionary Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This church is the oldest black Baptist Church in Grand Rapids. Wood TV shared Clifton Rhodes' obituary.

10. Bob Buford died on April 18, 2018, at age 78.  Bob Buford was the founder of the Leadership Network, built to serve Christian ministries. He was a mentor to many Christian leaders and formed the Drucker Institute to promote the theories of his friend Peter Drucker.  Christianity Today published Bob Buford's obituary.

11.-29. Nineteen Christians were shot dead while celebrating Mass at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Mbalom, Nigeria on April 24, 2018.  2 priests were among the dead. Christianity Today published a news story on this tragedy. 

30. Loren Mead died on May 5, 2018, at age 88.  Loren Mead founded the Alban Institute at Duke University in 1974. He was an author and his final book was called The Parish is the Issue (2015). The Christian Post published Loren Mead's obituary.

31. - 50. Twenty pastors in the Church of the Nazarene and their spouses were killed in a plane crash in Cuba on May 18, 2018. Christianity Today published a story on this tragedy.


51. David J. Hesselgrave died on May 21, 2018, at age 94.  David Hesselgrave was the founder of the Evangelical Missiological Society. David Hesselgrave introduced cross-culture ministry into theological academics. Some of his well-known textbooks he wrote were Planting Churches Cross-Culturally; Communicating Christ Cross-Culturally; and Counseling Cross-Culturally. Christianity Today published David Hesselgrave's obituary.

Dr. David Hesselgrave from Fresh Films on Vimeo.

52. Sam Moore died on June 1, 2018, at age 88. Sam Moore was a long-time CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers and influential in the Christian publishing industry. Christianity Today published Sam Moore's obituary.

53. James Earl Massey died on June 24, 2018, at age 88. James Earl Massey was known as the 'Prince of Preachers' in The Church of God, a holiness denomination with headquarters in Anderson, Indiana. Massey was the Dean Emeritus at Anderson University School of Theology. He influenced thousands through his preaching on the radio and at churches and seminary chapels. Christianity Today published James Earl Massey's obituary.



54. Aretha Franklin died on August 16, 2018, at age 76, from pancreatic cancer. Aretha Franklin was a Gospel and Pop singer. She was known as "The Queen of Soul" and won numerous awards. The Christian Post published Aretha Franklin's obituary.



55. Andrew Stoecklein died on August 25, 2018, at age 30. Andrew Stoecklein was the senior pastor of Inlay Hills Church in Chino, California. He had suffered from anxiety and depression and committed suicide. Andrew Stoecklein had been open about his challenges with his mental health and certainly helped raise awareness that Christians can struggle with this condition. CBN published a news story on this tragedy. Below was his final sermon titled, "To The Back of the Cave."



56. H.B. London, Jr. died on October 16, 2018, at age 81, from cancer.  H.B. London, Jr. was the first cousin to Dr. James Dobson and after years as a minister at congregations in The Church of the Nazarene, he took on a ministry leadership role to serve pastors through Focus on the Family. Focus on the Family released H.B. London, Jr.'s obituary. Dr. James Dobson produced a special program on remembering Rev. H.B. London.

57. Msgr. Thomas P. Leonard died on October 18, 2018, at age 90. Thomas Leonard was a Roman Catholic priest who was known as the priest with feet on the ground, because of his unwavering dedication to help the most needy and vulnerable souls in society. The New York Times published Father Thomas Leonard's obituary.

58. Eugene H. Peterson died on October 22, 2018, at age 85, from complications of dementia and heart problems. Eugene Peterson was a pastor and author of 35 books. His best known work was a paraphrase of the Bible called The Message Bible, which sold 16 million copies. The Christian Post published Eugene Peterson's obituary.



59. Kenny Marks died on October 31, 2018, at age 67, from a heart attack. Kenny Marks was a Gospel Singer in the Contemporary Christian Music industry. His unique style brought encouragement and inspiration to thousands of people over the last four decades. The Gospel Music Association published Kenny Marks' obituary.



60. - 66. Seven Coptic Christians were killed in a bus attack in Egypt on November 2, 2018. These seven souls are representative of the thousands of Christian martyrs who were promoted to glory in 2018. According to Father Gabriel Nadaf, every 5 minutes a Christian dies in the Middle East (Beitbart, March 23, 2018). CNN released a news story on this tragedy in the Middle East.

67. Kurt Kaiser died on November 12, 2018, at age 83. Kurt Kaiser was a Christian musician who penned over 300 copyrighted songs, including Pass It On and Oh How He Loves You and Me. Christianity Today published Kurt Kaiser's obituary.

68. James Carrington died on November 15, 2018, at age 85, from heart failure. James Carrington was the founder of the first African American Church in Orange County, California. He started Friendship Baptist Church in Fullerton, California. The Orange County Register published his obituary.

69. Roy Clark died on November 15, 2018, at age 85 from pneumonia.  Roy Clark was best known as the co-host of the Hee-Haw television show. He was an Emmy award winning country and Gospel singer who had dozens of hit songs over the last 50 years. His biography was featured on the faith website Beliefnet.  CMT published Roy Clark's obituary.



70. David Pollit died on November 16, 2018, at age 82, from a stroke. David Pollit was the retired pastor from Light Street Presbyterian Church in Baltimore. He was known as the activist who brought affordable housing to South Baltimore. The Baltimore Sun published his obituary.

71. Sister Cecilia Maria Roszak died on November 22, 2018, at age 110.  Sister Cecilia Maria Roszak was the world's oldest nun. She was from the country of Poland and hid dozens of Jews from occupying nazis during the war. The Straits Times published Sister Roszak's obituary.

72. Kelly Anne Broderick died on November 24, 2018, at age 27. She was killed in an automobile accident in Colorado.  In 2016, Kelly Anne Broderick completed The World Race, a missions trip that goes to 11 countries in 11 months. CBN published Kelly Anne Broderick's obituary.

73. Nathaniel Holcomb died on November 27, 2018, at age 66.  Nathaniel Holcomb was the long-time pastor of the Christian House of Prayer in Texas. The Christian Post published Nathaniel Holcomb's obituary.

74. Jess Moody died on December 7, 2018, at age 93. Jess Moody was the founder of Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was a minister in the Southern Baptist Convention and most notably he pastored First Baptist Church in West Palm Beach and the First Baptist Church in the Los Angeles, California area. The Baptist Press published Jess Moody's obituary.

75. Cameron M. Alexander died on December 30, 2018, at age 86. Cameron Alexander had served for nearly 5 decades as the pastor of Atlanta's Antioch Baptist Church North. The Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) published his obituary. 
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Saturday, December 30, 2017

100 Christians Who Died in 2017



In Memoriam (Listed by Date of Death)
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Blessed indeed, that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!" (Rev. 14:13)

1. Kenny Joseph died on January 12, 2017, at age 88. Kenny Joseph was a missionary to Japan from 1951-2012. He is the author of the books Combined Japan Missionary Language Handbook and  Japan's Christian Roots. Black Christian News released his obituary.
2. Jeffrey Sorbonne died on February 4, 2017, at age 52, in a house fire.  He was the founding pastor of Anchor Point Community Church in Duluth, Minnesota. Since 2013, he had served as the National Church Planting Director for the Evangelical Free Church of America. The God Reports blog reported on his death.
3. Wendell Broom died on February 18, 2017, at age 93. He was a pioneer missionary to Africa in the Churches of Christ. The Christian Chronicle featured his obituary.
4. H. Wilbert Norton died on February 20, 2017, at age 102. He was a missionary to the Congo, Africa with the Evangelical Free Church. He taught at numerous schools including Trinity College and Wheaton College. Norton helped organize Intervarsity Christian Fellowship's first student missions conference in 1946.  Christianity Today shared his obituary. The Billy Graham Center Archives has a page dedicated to Dr. Norton.
5. John Seaman died on March 19, 2017, at age 69, from cancer. He was a minister and former missionary in the Church of the Nazarene in Africa. Since 2003, he had been serving as the District Superintendent of the Michigan District of the Church of the Nazarene.  The Church of the Nazarene shared his obituary.
6. Sandra Callander was promoted to glory (died) on March 24, 2017, at age 73. She was an officer in The Salvation Army who achieved the rank of Lt. Colonel. Her ministry included service in the Australian Territory of the Salvation Army as well as the New Zealand and Fiji Territory. The Salvation Army in Australia released news of her death.
7. - 19. Thirteen Choir Members from the First Baptist Church in New Braunfels, Texas were killed in a bus accident on their way home from a retreat on March 29, 2017. The deceased include Howard Bryan Allen, 81; Rhonda Barlow Allen, 61; Harold Boyd Barber, 87; Margaret Robinson Barber, 82; Murray William Barrett, 67; Mildred Goodlett Rosamond, 87; Sue Wynn Tysdal, 76; Dorothy Fern Vulliet, 84; Martha Holcomb Walker, 84; Avis Scholl Banks, 83; Cristie Clare Moore, 68; Donna Elizabeth Hawkins, 69; and Addie Maurine Schmeltekopf, 84.  Christianity Today released a news story on this tragedy.
20. Ethan Roser died on April 22, 2017, at age 19, from an accident at a track meet in college. Ethan was a student at Wheaton College and was fatally hit by a hammer at a track meet. His plan was to become a minister and he was majoring in Christian Education and Biblical Studies at Wheaton.  Cincinnati.com shared the story of his tragic death.
21. Jay Carty died on May 4, 2017, at age 75, from cancer. Jay Carty was a former NBA player and basketball coach. He helped teach Kareem Abdul Jabar his hook shot while an assistant coach at UCLA for three years with John Wooden (See YouTube). Jay Carty became a well known author and traveling Christian Evangelist throughout the West Coast of the United States and founded Yes! Ministries. His obituary is at Hallels.com.

22. Nadine Foley died on May 13, 2017, at age 93. Sister Foley served as prioress of the Adrian Dominican Sisters from 1986-1992. She was a leader of religious women in her congregation and throughout the United States. Sister Foley was an editor of three books and wrote two volumes of Adrian Dominican history and a biography of Mother Mary Gerald Barry, OP, who was the longest serving prioress of the Adrian Dominican Sisters. Her obituary appeared in the Michigan Catholic.
23. - 51. Twenty Nine Coptic Christians were killed on May 26, 2017. Coptic Christians is the name for a group of Christians that are primarily based in Egypt. The group was on their way to a pilgrimage to pray at The St. Samuel the Confessor monastery when they were attacked and killed near Minya, Egypt. 10 of the 29 who died were children. News of this attack was shared by the Independent News and Fox News.
52. Austin Silva died on June 15, 2017, at age 17. Austin Silva had dental surgery on June 6, 2017, and never woke up from the anesthesia. He died 9 days later. Silva attended Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, Texas and was a member of Watermark Community Church. He accepted Jesus as his savior in elementary school and after having worked at Camp Barnabas, a camp for children with special needs, he wrote in his journal, "This experience reminded me that Jesus Christ is real and certainly worth following." The Dallas News featured a story on his passing. His obituary is online at dignity memorial.
53. Megan Johnson died on June 27, 2017, at age 31. She died unexpectedly 7 hours after giving birth to her daughter, Eille Megan Kate Johnson.  She was married to Nathan Johnson, a Christian musician with the rock band Meaning Machine.  God Updates released information on her passing. There is also a blog created to tell Megan's Story.
54. Haddon Robinson died on July 22, 2017, at age 86, from Parkinson’s.  Haddon Robinson served as the President of Denver Seminary from 1979-1991. He taught homiletics at Dallas Theological Seminary for 19 years and was a professor and former interim President at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. As a professor he was renowned in presenting the need for "The Big Idea" in Biblical preaching. He was listed by Christianity Today as being in the top 10 of its "25 Most influential Preachers of the Past 25 years." Robinson is the author of the classic preaching textbook called Biblical Preaching, which is still used in many seminary's. Christianity Today shared his obituary.

55. Chen Xizeng died on July 27, 2017, from colon cancer. He was a Chinese Christian pastor and Bible scholar. The Chinese Christian Daily released news of his death.
56. - 57. Newlyweds Austin and Rebekkah Wesson were in a car accident in Clearwater, Kansas on August 5, 2017. Austin died instantly and Rebekkah passed away two days later from her injuries. Both were age 19. The couple had met on a missions trip and had married one day before the accident. Rebekkah's father John Bouma said, "They both loved the Lord - they wanted to be the hands and feet of Jesus."  The Gospel Herald released a story on the tragedy of these two sweethearts.
58. Glenn Campbell died on August 8, 2017, at age 81, from complications of Alzheimer's. He was a country music star who loved to sing hymns about his Christian faith. Over his career he made over 70 albums and 12 of them became gold. His signature song was, "Rhinestone Cowboy". In 1990 Campbell said, "I love telling people about Christ and what he's done for me and can do for them." Charisma News featured his obituary.


59. Ruth Pfau died on August 10, 2017, at age 87, from kidney and heart disease. Sister Ruth Pfau was born in Germany and was a medical doctor who devoted her life as a medical missionary to helping limit the spread of leprosy in Pakistan and treating eye disease among suffering people. She converted to Catholicism and became a nun in The Society of Daughters of the Heart of Mary and was known as, "The Mother Teresa of Pakistan." Pakistan gave her a state funeral, and she is the first Christian woman to receive such an honor from the Muslim nation. Christianity Today shared her obituary.  The New York Times also released her obituary.



60. Sharoon Masih died on August 27, 2017, at age 17. He achieved academic excellence despite enduring years of being persecuted as the only Christian student in his class at his school in Pakistan. On August 27, 2017, he was beaten to death by his Muslim classmates. The British Pakistani Christian Association reported on his death.
61. Michael Cromartie died on August 28, 2017, at age 67, from cancer. Cromartie helped frame the Christian world view for the media over decades of work within the US Capital of Washington D.C.  Christianity Today shared his obituary. The New York Times also featured his obituary.
62. Robert Jenson died on September 5, 2017, at age 87. Jenson was a Lutheran theologian who emphasized an ecumenical approach and was known for his contribution to systematic theology. During his career he taught at both Luther College and United Lutheran Seminary. He founded the Center for Catholic and Evangelical Theology in 1991 along with Carl Braaten. The books he authored include: A Religion Against Itself (1967), The Triune Identity (1982), and Systematic Theology (1999). Christianity Today and Christian Century shared his obituary.
63. Rick Stevens died on September 5, 2017, at age 77. He had been the lead singer in the band Tower of Power in their early years. Rick Stevens became a Christian while serving time in prison. SFGate.com released a story on his passing. 
64. Nabeel Qureshi died on September 16, 2017, at age 34, from stomach cancer. Nabeel Qureshi converted to Christianity from Islam and became a Christian apologetic, working with the Ravi Zacharias team. He was the author of the book Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity and No God But One. Christianity Today shared his obituary.
65. David Mainse died on September 25, 2017, at age 81. Mainse was a Canadian pastor who started Canada's longest running Christian television show called 100 Huntley Street in 1977. He also founded Crossroads Christian Communication, Yes TV, and a prayer hot line that serves over 30,000 calls per month. Christianity Today shared his obituary.


66. Helen DeVos died on October 18, 2017, at age 90, from complications of a stroke. Helen DeVos was a Christian philanthropist who supported charitable and faith causes including children's charities, churches, and Christian Education. Her support led to the formation of one of the nation's leading Children hospitals located in Grand Rapids, Michigan called The Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. MLive released information on her passing.
67. - 92. Twenty Six Worshippers at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas
were gunned down on November 5, 2017, while they were attending a service at the church. Those killed included:  Keith Braden, 62; Shanni and Robert Corrigan, 51; Joann Ward, 30; Brooke Ward, 5; Emily Garza, 7; Greg Hill, 13; Emily Hill, 11; Megan Hill, 9; Crystal Halcombe, 36; Crystal's Unborn Child; Bryan Halcombe 60; Karla Halcombe, 58; Marc Daniel Halcombe, 36; Noah Halcombe, 1; Sarah Johnson, 68; Dennis Johnson, 77; Hally Krueger, 16; Tara McNulty, 33; Robert Scott, 56; Karen Marshall, 56; Anabelle Pomeroy, 14; Therese Rodriguez, 66; Ricardo Rodriguez, 64; Peggy Lynn Warden, 56; and Lula White, 71.The attack was the deadliest mass shooting by an individual in the history of the State of Texas. More information on the shooting is on Wikipedia. Photos of those who died are on the following memorial video by NBC News.
93. Shawn Jones died in on November 18, 2017, at age 32. Jones collapsed of a sudden heart attack on November 18, 2017, while in the midst of a Gospel performance. He was a Gospel singer and the founding pastor the New Thing Empowerment Church in Auburn, Alabama. CBN released a news story on his death.
94. Stan Toler died on November 18, 2017, at age 67, from cancer. Toler served as a General Superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene from 2009-2013 and was a pastor for over 40 years. He also taught seminars with Dr. John Maxwell's INJOY seminars. Toler authored over 100 books that sold over 3 million copies, including his last one God Can Do Anything But Fail: So Try Parasailing in a Windstorm.  The Church of the Nazarene released his obituary.
95. Harry Blamires died on November 21, 2017, at age 101. Blamires was a student of C.S. Lewis and was a Christian author and scholar. He emphasized in his teaching that the church should have a Christian worldview in the midst of an increasingly secular society. He taught English at King's Alfred College in the UK. His most well known book of the over twelve that he authored is called The Christian Mind and is still in print. Christianity Today shared his obituary.
96. Jared Plesec was promoted to glory (died) on December 2, 2017, at age 21. Jared Plesec was a soldier in The Salvation Army, who was shot and killed in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, December 2, 2017, while on his way to volunteer at his church. He was wearing his Salvation Army uniform and grasping his Bible when he was killed. Jared Plesec was awarded posthumously the 2017 Soldier of the Year award by The Salvation Army. WKYC in Cleveland covered his funeral.
97. John Sherrill died on December 2, 2017, at age 94. Sherrill served as an editor and writer for the inspirational magazine Guideposts for over 66 years. He co-wrote the Christian books The Cross and the Switchblade with David Wilkerson; God's Smuggler with Brother Andrew; and The Hiding Place with Corrie ten Boom.  Christianity Today shared his obituary.
98. Greg Wood died on December 5, 2017, at age 48, from brain cancer. Wood served as an International Missions Board missionary for 11 years, serving in an indigenous village in Mexico. The International Missions Board released his obituary.
99. R.C. Sproul died on December 13, 2017, at age 78. Sproul founded Ligonier Ministries in 1971 and served as its chairman throughout his life. He was a leader in Biblical teaching in the Reformed tradition and was renowned for his explanation of the implications of the sovereignty of God. Sproul was the author of over 100 books, including The Holiness of God; Essential Truths of the Christian Faith, and What is Reformed Theology?  Christianity Today shared his obituary.


100. Na Hoku Hanohano died on December 16, 2017, at age 70. He was a Christian musician in Hawaii and was working on a project to raise funds to build a music school on the campus of Kalihi Union Church. The Star Advertiser reported on his death. 

Dedication: This post is dedicated to some Christian friends who were promoted to glory in 2017.

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Friday, December 30, 2016

20 Christians Who Died in 2016



In Memoriam (Listed by Date of Death)
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Blessed indeed, that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!" (Rev. 14:13)

Dedication: This blog post is dedicated to our families Christian mothers who died this year.
 Margaret Stokes, passed away on April 20, 2016, from complications of dementia.
Yvonne Hostettler, passed away on December 30, 2016, from congestive heart failure.

1. Ingrid Williams died on February 10, 2016, at age 44, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. She was the wife of Monty Williams, who was at the time was an assistant coach for the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder. Justin Taylor wrote a blog post for the Gospel Coalition about the eulogy Monty Williams gave at her funeral. ESPN also featured a story on Ingrid Williams' passing. Below is the message that Monty Williams gave at his wife's funeral.
2. Antonin Scalia died in his sleep on February 13, 2016, at the age of 79, following a day of quail hunting at a ranch in Shafter, Texas. He had served as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1986 until his death. Antonin Scalia's obituary appeared in Christianity Today. Justice Scalia was a Catholic and his funeral mass focused on Christ.
3. Charles C. Ryrie died on February 16, 2016, at the age of 90. He was a theologian who edited the Ryrie Study Bible that sold over 2.6 million copies and helped shape dispensationalism. He was a retired professor and dean of Dallas Theological Seminary. Charles Ryrie's obituary appeared in Christianity Today. 

4. Don McClanen died on February 18, 2016, at the age of 91. In 1954, he founded the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as an organization to help coaches and athletes receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Don McClanen's obituary appeared in Christianity Today.

5. Joey Martin Feek died on March 4, 2016, at the age of 40, following a battle with cancer. She was a country music singer and part of the celebrated duo Joey + Rory, that she formed with her husband Rory. The following is a video tribute that Rory Feek created for his wife Joey.

6. Jerry Bridges died on March 6, 2016, at age 86, after suffering a heart attack. He was an author of more than 20 books and was a long-time leader within the interdenominational ministry The Navigators. Justin Taylor wrote a tribute to Jerry Bridges on his blog at The Gospel Coalition.

 7. Gary Smalley died on March 8, 2016, at the age of 75. He was the author of over 60 books on relationships and worked often with the ministry Focus on the Family. Gary Smalley's obituary appeared in Christianity Today. James Dobson produced a video tribute to his friend Gary Smalley that is on YouTube.

8. Daryl Coley died on March 15, 2016, at the age of 60 in hospice care.  He was a minister who founded the Love Fellowship Tabernacle in Los Angeles. He was also a gospel singer who sang with the Edward Hawkins Singers, and became known for such well-known songs as Jesus Saves, Beyond the Veil, He's Preparing Me, and When Sunday Comes.  WREG.com in Memphis printed a tribute to his life.


9. Mother Mary Angelica died on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016, from complications of a stroke she had in 2002. She was 92 years old. She was a Roman Catholic nun who founded the Eternal Word Television Network (ETWN) in 1981, and guided it for 20 years. Growing from humble beginnings in a garage, Eternal World Television Network is presently the world's largest religious network. The New York Daily News published a tribute to Mother Mary Angelica.


10. Randy Hentzel, age 48 and Harold Nichols, age 53 were murdered on April 30, 2016, in Jamaica. They were serving as Christian missionaries in Jamaica with the Pennsylvania based Christian charity TEAMS for Medical Missions. CNN featured a news story on the investigation into their deaths in Jamaica. 

11. Janice Crouch, died on May 31, 2016, at age 78, following a stroke. She was the co-founder of the Trinity Broadcasting Network, along with her late husband Paul Crouch.

12. Christina Grimmie died from gunshot wounds on June 11, 2016, after being shot after a concert in Orlando, Florida. She was 22 years old and a Christian. She got her start with her participation in NBC's singing competition The Voice. More information about her is on the Christina Grimmie Wikipedia page. The following is a tribute created for Christina Grimmie.


 13. Pat Summitt died on June 28, 2016, at the age of 64, from complications of Alzheimer's Disease. She was a Christian and is known as the pioneer women's basketball coach at the University of Tennessee. Over her career she won 8 NCAA championships and won 1,098 games, the most in NCAA Basketball history.  The Christian Examiner published a commentary on the faith of Pat Summitt. Below is a video tribute to Pat Summitt.


14. Wayne Smith died on June 29, 2016, at the age of 87. He helped start Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky and served as its senior minister from 1956-1995. The Christian Standard published a tribute to Wayne Smith.  

15. Bill and Donna Manning were in a car accident on July 3, 2016, on their way to church. Donna Manning died instantly on July 3, 2016 (Nazarene.org, July 7, 2016), and Bill Manning died on July 20, 2016 from injuries in the same accident (Nazarene.org, July 21, 2016).  Donna Manning was 69 years old and was the children's book editor for Nazarene Publishing House. Bill Manning was a retired employee formerly with the International Headquarters of the Church of the Nazarene.

16. Tim LaHaye died on July 25, 2016, at the age of 90, following a stroke. He was a Christian leader and author known for writing 16 best selling novels that were part of the Left Behind series that sold over 80 million copies around the world. The Washington Times wrote a tribute to Tim LaHaye.

17. Jamison and Kathryne Pals and their three young children Ezra (3 years), Violet (23 months), and Calvin (2 months), died on July 31, 2016, in an automobile accident. Jamison and Kathryne Pals, both age 29, were preparing to move their family across the world to serve as missionaries in Japan. John Piper published a tribute to the family on his Desiring God blog.

18. Cliff Barrows died on November 15, 2016, at the age of 93. He had been well known as the music director and crusade host for over 60 years with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The Gospel Herald published a tribute to Cliff Barrows.


19. Russell Shedd died on November 26, 2016 at age of 87 years, from complications of cancer. Russell Shedd was one of top theologians in Brazil. He was a pastor, teacher, writer, and theologian who shaped the lives of thousands of pastors in the South American country of Brazil. Russell Shedd's obituary appeared in Christianity Today.

20. Dr. Helen Roseveare died on December 7, 2016, at the age of 91 in Northern Ireland. She was an English Christian missionary, doctor and author. From 1953 to 1973 she served as a missionary in the Congo with the Worldwide Evangelization Crusade. More information on her life and writings are on the Helen Roseveare Wikipedia page. Her biography is also posted on the Women of Christianity website.

This feature is part of an annual series that started in 2011. All the years of the series can be viewed at these links.
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