| by Philip L Powell | ||
|---|---|---|
|
It was with a sense of sorrow which is so different from that of the "world" that we heard on Thursday June 27th that Barry Smith a dear friend and brother in the Lord had been called to higher service. He left the scene of human companionship and association the previous night in Worcester, Great Britain where he had just travelled from his previous soul winning crusade. He was on his way to the next series of meetings, which on this occasion, he was significantly conducting without the involvement of his wife or family. His passing occurred as he would have wanted it - still in harness and pulling strong. Barry was an evangelist of the first order. He lived to preach the Gospel. His greatest delight was to see people commit their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ. Only eternity will reveal the extent of his faithfulness to his calling. Our love and prayers are with his widow May and with their children and grand-children. Only nine months prior to his last ministry visit to Britain Barry told his son Andrew that he wanted him to conduct his funeral. Days before his home call he informed a relative in England that he was "going home". Asked if he meant he was returning to New Zealand early, he replied, "No I am going home to the Father." And so it was just days later, at 69 years of age Barry Smith a veteran preacher, a dear friend and a faithful brother passed into the presence of his Lord, which is "far better". He will be greatly missed by many. The funeral details are the Christian Witness Ministries Web Site. Tribute by Andrew Smith Barry Smith – Evangelist, gone to be with Jesus 27 June 2002, aged 69 years.Statement from Andrew Smith on behalf of the Smith Family: First and foremost, Barry was more than a public figure to us, he was an extremely loving husband to Mum (May) - and a dedicated father to his children. He travelled extensively, speaking internationally, but maintained daily contact with each member of the family wherever possible…we spoke with him two hours before he died in a hospital in Worchester, England. He had been unwell for a few days, and was under observation when he went to be with Jesus. He knew he was about to leave having told a friend (Apollo Perelini) two days before "I’m really tired Apollo, I’ll be going home soon". Apollo said "Back to NZ Uncle Barry?" He replied "No – to be with my Lord". His legacy – is that he has left his family completely secure with regard to where he has gone – and we’re thrilled for him, we’ll be with him again soon! And – he loved people – teaching us that people are far more important than material things. Wherever I go I meet people who have come to know Jesus as a result of my Dad, through his preaching, books and videos or meeting him personally. He wasn’t interested in being popular – he just wanted people to know how to find peace with God! He made the gospel very clear…kind of like the last of the Mohicans in terms of his no nonsense approach in presenting the gospel. Known for relating current events to Bible prophecy, he didn’t like the title of ‘prophet’...simply, he wasn’t one. Barry called himself a talker – who gave a commentary of world events and Bible prophecy. He wasn’t loved by everybody – some accused him of scaring people into the Kingdom of God – he maintained that going to hell was scary, but that the alternative, the gift of God, was brilliant – and that people could always readjust their motives later. Out of the pulpit – Barry was a real character. He didn’t just talk about being a Christian, he was one. Those who knew him personally knew him as a humorous, funny man – always laughing or speaking about Jesus! His favourite verse – John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease." In the last year he talked about going to Heaven a lot – he always has really. Back in the 80’s he had a quadruple bypass operation which extended his life by around 15 years. We, his family, are grateful! We have been quietly preparing for Dad’s departure for some time – I spoke with him by phone a couple of hours before he died and he was in great spirits, although weak as a result of a minor heart attack. He was hoping to get on his flight home today (Friday 28th)… Am I proud of him? Definitely – as a family we all are! He was a real man of God in and out of the pulpit. He left no doubt as to his destination and desire to be with Jesus. He made it clear that we can see him again soon…a very responsible man. We miss him, and there is a lot to sort out, but he prepared us for this event and in his own words, "This is not the end – it’s just the beginning". The funeral was held in Blenheim, New Zealand. Andrew E Smith Tribute by Moriel Moriel & Jacob Prasch mourn the loss of friend and brother Evangelist Barry Smith who went to be with The Lord June 26th in Worcester, England. Barryhad been in the UK for a series of evangelistic outreaches, including those organised by Moriel affiliated fellowships in Winsford, Cheshire and Liverpool.On behalf of all at Moriel we express our sincere condolences to Barry's beloved wife May, to their son Andrew, his daughters, grandchildren and to Keith, Larry and all of their ministry crew at their base in Pelorous Bridge, New Zealand. In recent times the Smith family has been struck by the double tragedy of the deaths of Barry's son-in-law and his daughter Debbie, and we request prayer for them at this difficult time of loss. Barry served The Lord as a missionary in Polynesia and as an evangelist in his native New Zealand, in Australia, The British Isles, and in Southern and Eastern Africa using eschatology and biblical prophecy as an evangelistic tool in leading people to Christ. Until we see Brother Barry again, those of us who knew and loved Barry for his incredible sense of humour and his incredible burden for the salvation of souls, shall miss him profoundly. Barry initially helped open doors for the ministry of Moriel in New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. May the Smith family that has struggled with so much bereavement in recent years know the comfort and assurance of the Jesus whom Barry preached in the certain hope that both they and we shall be reunited with Barry again when Jesus returns for us. By God's grace, many once lost souls will now be in heaven due to the ceaseless preaching of Brother Barry Smith. "HE WENT IN THE SADDLE" !Moriel is honoured that Barry Smith's final four sermons were preached at an outreach organised, and sponsored by a Moriel affiliated Fellowship in Cheshire, UK .Brothers Malcom Betts & Steve Avery of the congregational leadership of New Life Pentecostal Church in Winsford, Cheshire which hosted and promoted the events report that in addition to the numbers saved, Barry's final sermon on the Saturday prior to his going home to be with The Lord was "truly awesome" and was in fact one of the most powerful sermons he ever preached and may have been the most powerful and anointed Barry ever preached in England. After the final meeting returning to his lodging in nearby Droitwich, Barry, already suffering from his coronary condition became visibly ill and he told Christian Rugby star Apollo Perilini that he was going home to be with The Lord in a few days. If you would like to send a message to the family, please go to http://www.barrysmith.org.nz/viewc.phtml These messages are being printed out regularly and taken to May's house for the family to read. The funeral was on Thursday 11th July, 11am at the Anchor Stadium 2002, Blenheim. |
||
-Last revised-