I had coffee with Steve Moore, Director of Missions Exchange, yesterday morning. We talked for about half an hour and then his phone rang. He apologized and took the call.When he finished, I asked, “Is everything OK?”
“No, it’s not,” Steve said. “Last night my operations guy died of a massive heart attack.”
“I’m so sorry. What was his name?” I asked.
When he responded, “David Mays,” my heart fell.
David was a long distance acquaintance who for years has been sending me weekly book summaries for free. He has been a missions mobilizer par-excellence. He and his wife Marcy are heroes of the faith, impacting thousands for the kingdom. David was 68 and in great shape.
Just two days earlier, David had sent me a book summary* with the following section in it. How well it described his life and death:
The Purpose-Driven Death
Choosing to live against the world for the world can be downright deadly.
When faced with the world’s intense pressure, we’ll give in and go along unless we … have a compelling vision…, the same vision that compelled Jesus. We need to be aware, as he was, of what God is working to achieve, the direction God is taking.
Redemption is God’s arrangement to reverse the curse of sin and to renew all things–to restore creation, not destroy it. God is on a mission to reclaim and replenish his corrupted territory, redirecting it back to himself and thereby ‘making all things new’ (Revelation 21:5).
God promises nothing short of total cosmic renewal.
Choosing to live against the world for the world can be downright deadly.
When faced with the world’s intense pressure, we’ll give in and go along unless we … have a compelling vision…, the same vision that compelled Jesus. We need to be aware, as he was, of what God is working to achieve, the direction God is taking.
Redemption is God’s arrangement to reverse the curse of sin and to renew all things–to restore creation, not destroy it. God is on a mission to reclaim and replenish his corrupted territory, redirecting it back to himself and thereby ‘making all things new’ (Revelation 21:5).
God promises nothing short of total cosmic renewal.
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I for one will greatly miss David and his ministry. He was a wonderful encouragement to me and a huge blessing to so many of us who follow Jesus.
* See this one by Tullian Tchivijian here.
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This is a colossal loss to this generation!??!? I have benefited immensely from David’s book reviews and rich perspectives on how to do missions well.
May Abba’s lasting comfort and peace rest on his family, friends and close associates
“Heaven has sometimes been explained as a belief satisfying a need in man. However, if God exists, it is reasonable to expect that this life is not the end.”
From his review of R.C. Sproul’s Unseen Realities
That’s a huge loss – he encouraged me countless times with his ministry and strengthened many people in my life as I passed his book notes along for instruction and encouragement. I’ve kept a library of 199 of his reviews!
He truly influenced many many people with his ministry!
Sounds like a man who intentionally made huge deposits into people’s lives one word at a time. Lord, bring restoration. See you soon.
Dear Seth Barnes,
I wanted to give you my highest commendation for your Purpose Driven Death expose.
So I would like to submit to you my Purpose Driven Life expose and update documents which I have attached (3 attachments). But I would need your email to send them to you.
Thank you for being a brave and great soldier of the Cross and The Faith!
Kindest regards in Christ,
James Sundquist
Eaglemasterworksproductions.com
I’m so sorry to hear about your friend’s passing, but I know that Jesus is glad to be holding him so physically close to his heart today! Also, what he emailed you is just beautiful. It speaks to something deep in me that has really need a validation today. Thank you so much for sharing, Seth. I hope we all live a life of such intentional purpose for King Jesus!