Hugh's News & Commentary

The World Missions family and friends are saddened to learn of the death of the Rev. Mr. David Fannin.  David, who was the Regional Director for Eastern Europe, died early Monday morning, October 10, 2011, in his sleep near Kiev, Ukraine.

David and Linda Fannin, along with Bob Cave and Larry and Deborah Mininger, had been ministering at Dawn of Life Church in Khmelnitsky, Ukraine.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. Please refer back to the World Missions homepage on the Internet and we will keep you updated as those arrangements are finalized.

Last week David and Linda Fannin along with most of our missionary family enjoyed a missionary retreat in Turkey. They were both feeling well and seemed to be in good health. On Friday, October 7, they departed Turkey and traveled to the Ukraine for a weekend celebration at Dawn of Life Church.

Please remember Linda and their children in prayer.

[Editor's Comment: Bishop Doug Beacham, executive director of World Missions, called me early Monday morning, October 10, to inform me of David Fannin's death. I was startled, stunned, and saddened by his untimely death.

I don't pretend to understand why these kinds of things happen to men in the prime of life and who are doing a great work for God and who are taken out of this world. We may never know in our lifetime the answer to our cry of "Why, Lord."

However, a Scripture comes to my mind that offers comfort and consolation in times like these. It is recorded in the Book of Isaiah:

Isaiah 57:1-2,

"The good men perish; the godly die before their time, and no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to realize that God is taking them away from evil days ahead. For the godly who die shall rest in peace" (The Living Bible).

For Linda and her children and loved ones, I offer this Word from the Holy Scriptures:

Isaiah 53:4
"Surely He (Jesus, the Lamb of God) hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:"
KJV

Hebrews 4:15-5:1

15 For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
KJV

Then, there is a great hymn of the church which speaks eloquently to us in times like these. It is one we need to sing more often. It is entitled, "The Lily of the Valley":

I have found a friend in Jesus, He's everything to me,
He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He's my comfort, in trouble He's my stay;
He tells me every care on Him to roll.

He's the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

He all my grief has taken, and all my sorrows borne;
In temptation He's my strong and mighty tower;
I have all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn
From my heart and now He keeps me by His power.
Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore,
Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal.

He's the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessèd will;
A wall of fire about me, I've nothing now to fear,
From His manna He my hungry soul shall fill.
Then sweeping up to glory to see His blessèd face,
Where the rivers of delight shall ever roll.

He's the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

Let us all join in a concert of prayer for Linda and her family, and the World Missions family of dedicated missionaries serving around the world.

We will never forget David Fannin, his call, his commitment, and his commission to be a missionary in obedience to the Great Commission of our blessed Lord. Thank you David for your service and ministry to share the Gospel with those who have never heard about Jesus.]