Celebration of Life – Scott and Nancy Cox

Story by Kathy Symborski

Calvary Chapel Windsor, CO, members—and many others—honored their pastor and his wife on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, in a memorial service. Scott and Nancy Cox were killed in a tragic auto accident on July 4.

Calvary Chapel pastors from other areas in Colorado comforted the church the Sunday following the accident.

Providing Comfort
Pastor Ed Taylor, senior pastor of Calvary Church in Aurora, was one of four CC pastors from the surrounding area attending CC Windsor’s Sunday service on July 10. He was greatly encouraged to see how many people now attend the church. “Under his [Scott’s] leadership, the church’s influence, size, and maturity has significantly grown in the last few years. The church is reeling, but there is a sense that they will get through this as they move into their next season,” he said.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Sean Rafferty, leadership pastor from Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel in Colorado Springs, was already scheduled to speak that Sunday while Scott and Nancy were to be on vacation. His message on 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 was a comforting reminder to the congregation as he drew on Scott’s last sermon.

He closed by quoting Scott: “‘By faith, not looking for the answers in this life, not looking for contentment, we won’t find it in this life, but we will find it in what Jesus has prepared for us … heaven.’” Sean observed, “God knew! Ironic, isn’t it? God knew. He knew exactly what He was doing, and Scott preached it … eternity. It is fitting to preach on this today.”

Bob Chipman, a member of CC Windsor’s church board and men’s ministry leader, admitted, “The church feels like their knees were buckled from under them. We will be grieving for some time because of the hole this leaves in our church [body], but we see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

CC Windsor will continue its mission to further the Gospel. Bob declared, “The big picture is God’s kingdom, so myself and a couple others will teach on Sundays and Wednesdays. We are working with a group, Poimen Ministries, who come alongside churches to provide interim support until God provides a new senior pastor.”

A Celebration of Two Lives
Scott and Nancy’s Celebration of Life was held Tuesday at Timberline Church in Ft. Collins with a small family reception following at CC Windsor. Scott’s longtime friend, Pastor Greg Teel of Calvary Baptist Church in Delta, CO, spoke to 800 people packing the auditorium—it was standing room only, according to Pastor Ed. His message was based on a favorite Scripture he and Scott had often shared over the years.

But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV 

Greg reminded the church that even though Scott and Nancy are no longer here, the CC Windsor church is not done because they belong to the Lord. “Scott and Nancy were a profound gift for a time and a season. Their tragic deaths [were] not outside the will of God. If we could look into heaven itself and see their joy, we would be at utter peace at this moment. They are.”

Tender remarks from Scott’s father, Bob, and sons Charlie and Alex highlighted the lives of two people completely surrendered to Christ. Another son, Christian, died several years ago.

Lisa Schuler of CC Windsor led the congregation in song in a resounding rendition of “I’ll Fly Away” before a slideshow of memories and the closing prayer by Pastor Greg.

Words from Pastor Ed Taylor
In a July 10 Facebook post, Pastor Ed asked Calvary Chapel believers to continue to pray for the Windsor church family as they grieve, mourn, and miss Scott and Nancy, sharing 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 NLT: 

But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

                  

Donations
The family would like those who wish to express their condolences financially to consider donating to Calvary Chapel Windsor. Visit CC Windsor's website at Giving to make a donation.

calvarychapelwindsor.com
calvarychapelwindsor.com/giving

                  

Click here to learn more about Scott and Nancy.

 

All verses above are quoted from the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

© 2022 Calvary Chapel Magazine (CCM). All rights reserved. Articles or photographs may not be reproduced without the written permission of CCM. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.® Used by permission.