Benjammin

Mr. Ogwyn

Dear fellow ministers and brethren,

It grieves me to have to inform you that our beloved fellow servant, Mr. John Ogwyn, died in his sleep this morning at 5:30 am. He was at home with his wife, Genie, and his sons, Charles and David. Mr. Roderick Meredith is at home today, fasting and praying and resting up from his recent trip. He will send out a special letter soon to everyone about the sad and profound loss of Mr. Ogwyn. In the meantime, he has asked that I send a letter to all of you about this unexpected and tragic turn of events.

Mr. Ogwyn was one of the top leaders in God’s Church and Work. He was a “tour de force” who cut a very big swath; an Evangelist, prolific writer, telecast presenter, member of the Board, member of the Council of Elders, Regional Pastor, and much more—and he carried out all of his responsibilities with the utmost effectiveness, commitment and zeal. God used him in a very powerful way. For example, notice what Mr. Wayne Pyle wrote about the success of just one of John’s responsibilities: “Mr. Ogwyn made a tremendous impact on many tens of thousands of viewers since he made his first formal appearance in front of the TV camera about three years ago on July 5, 2002. Since that day, he made a total of 27 half-hour television programs. Twenty-two programs have been aired, and three were aired a second time, so there were 25 airings; and his final five programs are scheduled for airing over the next five months to November. The programs produced more than 37,000 responses in the United States and Canada, as well as bringing in more than 18,000 brand new subscribers. Who knows what will come from the spiritual seeds he planted among tens of thousands of fertile minds.”

I think of John when I read 1 Chronicles 28:21, “And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.” It is well known that Mr. and Mrs. John Ogwyn worked as hard and as skillfully as anyone in God’s service. He was a shepherd in the fullest sense of the word.

Why has this blow to the Church taken place? We don’t know the answer to that, but perhaps we can put it in better perspective by looking at some examples in God’s Word. John the Baptist was called one of the greatest men ever born, by Jesus Christ Himself. Matthew 11:11, “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Yet, he was killed at about the age of 31, for nothing more than telling the truth to a wicked, powerful man who didn’t want to hear it. Matthew 14:3-10, “For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. Because John had said to him, ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’ And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, ‘Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.’ And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.”

Why would such an outstanding and dedicated servant of God meet such a horrible and untimely death, brought about simply because of faithfully serving His Creator? We don’t know the answer, but we know that God loved him deeply and even chose John to baptize His only Son, Jesus Christ. Matthew 3:13-17, “Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?’ But Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”

When we as God’s people are faced with such an inexplicable and painful loss as now, we need to ask God to help us trust Him. He will hear and strengthen us without fail. He will help us keep the sorrow and suffering in the right perspective and somehow go on. God Himself does not take death lightly. Rather, He deeply loves and cares for those who die. Psalm 116:15, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” And in Psalm 48:14 we read, “For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death.” Mr. Ogwyn knew these scriptures well. He believed and taught them and took great comfort from them. Please ask God to help all of His people do the same thing at this very trying time. He will not let us down—ever.

Remember what now awaits our dear friend and fellow laborer, who remained totally committed, loyal and faithful to God, His Church, and to his own personal family to the very end. Romans 8:17-18, “and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” This sure promise from God is the next step in Mr. John Ogwyn’s life. This should be our bright and shinning focal point as well, as we follow the sterling example and remember the outstanding legacy left by this true man of God.

With Christian love and affection,

Charles E. Bryce

P.S. Mr. Meredith will conduct Mr. Ogwyn’s funeral, which will take place on Thursday, June 16, 2005. Once final arrangements are made, we will notify all of you.



~I am so shocked and grieved that we have lost this many ministers in such a short amount of time. Satan is hitting us hard, we need to really start waking up.

~Ben~

posted by Benjammin @ 6/15/2005 12:48:00 AM Comments: 0