This week a really good man went to be with the Lord, leaving his wife, children and work behind. This is what the Christian news media said about the passing of Rob Frost:
"Senior church leaders paid tribute this week to Revd Dr Rob Frost, founder of Share Jesus International, who died on Sunday, age 57. Dr Frost, a Methodist Minister and former national evangelist for the Methodist Church, initiated scores of projects including Easter People and next year’s London-based Pentecost celebrations. He died only months after being diagnosed with skin cancer in June. Methodist Church General Secretary, Revd David Deeks, said, ‘Rob’s passion for evangelism was boundless and he leaves a great legacy.’ Revd Dr David Coffey, President of the Baptist World Alliance, said, ‘Rob ranks as one of the most creative evangelists and able apologists of his generation.’ Evangelical Alliance General Director, Revd Joel Edwards, praised Rob’s ‘fervour and creativity’, his mentoring of young people and said ‘His aspiration to rediscover the spirit of Pentecost and make it accessible to the culture’ will be ‘his final legacy’."
I have always felt that Rob had an influence way beyond the circles that he normally moved in - he came from Methodism - and his testimony and ministry touched many lives. I can imagine that his family are finding this a tough time, and will need our prayers. It would have seemed so much more sensible for Rob to live and work on for another 10 or 20 years, but that was not in God's plan for him.
As we ponder the passing of a great servant of God, the tribute paid to King David comes to mind. He 'served the purpose of God in his generation and then fell asleep'. What a testimony, and one that we would love to have said about us. Rob was brave, clear minded about the gospel, filled with the Holy Spirit, and sold out for Jesus. 'His works follow him'.
There is a great mystery in the matter of God's timing for our lives, but one thing we can learn from this is to do all we can, with all the strength that we can, for as long as we can. The rest, we leave to God.
Goodnight Rob.
