A number of influential Christian figures finished the work God gave them to do and went home to be with the Lord in 2019. These men and women were authors, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and involved in ministries of all types. They represent an incredible cross-section of who God chooses to be a part of His Kingdom and to bring others into that Kingdom. We can draw much inspiration and encouragement from learning about their lives, but we can also look at their lives as reminders that without Christ, we are lost, but with Him, we can do all things for which He will equip us. Here are just a few of those who will be dearly missed:
Reinhard Bonnke: Evangelist Bonnke’s record-setting crusades led him to be nicknamed “the Billy Graham of Africa,” died December 7 at age 79. His ministry, Christ for All Nations, claims that more than 79 million people came to Christ as a result of Bonnke’s career, which spanned from 1967 until his retirement in 2017. Bonnke’s largest in-person event was in Lagos, Nigeria where 1.6 million gathered on a single night to hear him preach. Bonnke was the author of 40 books and wrote in his 2009 autobiography, Living a Life of Fire, “I still have only one sermon. I preach the simple ABCs of the gospel.”
Rachel Held Evans: Progressive Christian author and speaker, Rachel Held Evans, died on May 4, at 37-years-old. A mother of two, Evans is the author of books Evolving in Monkey Town, A Year of Biblical Womanhood and Searching for Sunday. Her final book, Inspired, was published in 2018.
Eugene Peterson: American author, biblical scholar and pastor Eugene Peterson died on October 22, at 85 years old. Peterson was a well-respected member of the Presbyterian Church, biblical scholar and author of over 30 books.
Norm Geisler: Christian apologist Norm Geisler passed away on July 1, at the age of 86. Geisler – the author of over 100 books and a teacher of theology, philosophy and apologetics for over 50 years – had been battling an illness since April.
Lois Evans: The wife of pastor Tony Evans and mother of author and actress Priscilla Shirer died after battling a rare form of cancer on the morning of Dec. 30. Lois Evans served as Senior Vice President and was the founder of Pastors’ Wives Ministry and was a much sought after speaker for churches and conferences around the globe. Evans was 70 years old.