This year saw the passing of many Christian leaders. They included influential musicians, ministry founders, a former president and the most influential evangelist of our time.
The world said goodbye to beloved evangelist Billy Graham on February 21, 2018. The 99-year-old passed away in his North Carolina home due to natural causes, but his legacy will live on. Graham lived a life that was truly inspiring, and countless people have been deeply moved by the Lord’s message preached through him. He became one of the most widely heard and respected preachers in human history, with estimates stating that he proclaimed the Gospel to nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories, and hundreds of millions more through television, video, film and webcasts.
Former US president George H.W. Bush passed away on November 30, 2018, at age 94. Bush was known as a war hero, a man of immense faith, a man with a heart for family and service. Bush saw God as active and all-powerful and the Bible as divinely inspired and authoritative. ‘One cannot be America’s President,’ the Republican frequently asserted, without ‘the strength that your faith gives to you.’
American author, biblical scholar and pastor Eugene Peterson passed away on October 22, 2018, at the age of 85. The author of more than 30 books was regarded as “one of the most recognized Bible scholars in America” by Relevant Magazine. Peterson is best known for the writing of his contemporary translation of the Bible, The Message.
Edwin Hawkins, the multi Grammy Award-winning gospel music mind behind such famous songs as “Oh, Happy Day,” died at age 74. Hawkins was often referred to as “the father of contemporary gospel.”
Famed singer Aretha Franklin, whose seven-decades career in music featured hit songs in both Christian and secular genres, died at age 76. Franklin’s 1972 gospel album “Amazing Grace,” sold approximately 2 million copies.
Gospel Hall of Fame composer Kurt Kaiser passed away on November 12, 2018, at his home in Waco, Texas at the age of 83. In addition to composing approximately 300 copyrighted songs, Kaiser also produced and arranged albums for numerous other music stars.
Christian missionary, John Chau’s bizarre passing made international headlines in 2018 when he was shot to death with arrows on a remote, protected island near India, by North Sentinelese. Chau, a 26-year-old graduate of Oral Roberts University, had prepared and studied for years to meet the tribes people of North Sentinel Island, determined to preach the words of Jesus Christ to them. Chau’s family said they had forgiven their son’s killers, describing the missionary as someone who “loved God” and “helping those in need.”