In Revelation 2:10 the Lord says, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” In these days when we continue to hear of good men who lapse morally and bring dishonor to the name of Christ and hurt so many people (I just heard about another dear friend this morning who is in this category), we truly want to celebrate those who are faithful to Christ throughout their life, all the way to death. Phil Arendt was one such man.

On October 25, at the age of 60, Phil left his earthly body behind and received the crown of life from the Lord he loved and served. Since being diagnosed with glioblastoma (a malignant and aggressive brain tumor) a year earlier, Phil and his wife Peggy, along with many others, had prayed for healing while they sought medical intervention. But the Lord intended to bring Phil home, and he is now enjoying and engaging in glorious, unsuppressed worship before his Lord and Savior.

Phil was the leader of our Global Equipping Division, an insightful missiologist, a partner to hundreds of leaders globally, a dear friend, husband and father, and most importantly he was a humble man of God. Phil and his wife Peggy visited Holly and me on a couple different occasions in the Pacific NW, going out of their way to encourage us and build a relationship. He encouraged me to pursue my doctorate in missiology, he connected me with several global partners, and he did an excellent job establishing and guiding our division to greater effectiveness globally.

Peggy, Phil’s wife, will serve with our Global Equipping Division in the area of community development, a particular passion of hers. While my heart (along with many others) grieves the loss of a great man, leader and friend, yet I do not grieve without hope (1 Thess.  4:13), for I know I will see Phil again before the throne of the King, because of the matchless grace of God found in Christ. Pressing on in His service, Eric