Beloved Calvary Chapel Pastor Passes
The Calvary Chapel family is grieving the death of Gayle D. Erwin, a much-loved CC pastor known for simply sharing the Word of God and the “servant lifestyle”. He passed away at the age of 86.
“What a legacy!” exclaimed Lloyd Pulley, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Old Bridge, NJ. “He had a huge impact on me from the time I met him as a 21-year-old intern at Calvary Chapel West Covina, CA, with Pastor Raul Ries.”
Mike MacIntosh, founder of Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego, CA, added, “Gayle was really used in the Calvary Chapels to teach servanthood.”
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. Psalm 116:15
His ministry spanned the globe playing, as he put it, "the one string on my guitar." That "one string" is the Nature of Jesus, a message developed over a lifetime of study and experience—a simple message of servant lifestyle for this complex age. Gayle's varied background fueled a wealth of parables and anecdotes and gives handles to the experiences of the Bible.
He was a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, writer and editor, and known as a talker and listener. He created five magazines, served six years as a college teacher and 20 years as a pastor. In his 45 years as the director of a ministry called Servant Quarters, he spent his time speaking at conferences and retreats and writing. His humorous style delighted audiences of all ages wherever he went.
Gayle's first book, The Jesus Style, sold more than 500,000 copies and has been translated into 35 languages. Many churches and mission groups and schools have made it required reading for leaders and students. His second book, The Father Style, examines the nature of God the Father through the eyes of Jesus. The third book, The Spirit Style, proposes a unique and healing view of the Holy Spirit as revealed in the teaching of Jesus. The Body Style completes the “Style” series and views the Church as described by Jesus.
He wrote Handbook for Servants to assist the servant-hearted with the struggles they face. That Reminds Me of a Story is a wildly popular compilation of 40 true stories from his life. He followed that story book with another entitled That Reminds Me of Another Story with 50 more true stories from his life and observation. His last book, Not Many Mighty, proves that God rarely uses the elite.
Gayle's beloved wife, Ada, had passed previously. Please pray for his family. Gayle was Born on September 2, 1938.
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