In Glory
Dear friends,
At 1:24pm on Saturday 18th November, 2006 David went home to be with the Lord.
This came as a great shock to many of us. We loved David and many around the world were praying in full faith for his recovery. The family were with him, singing with him on several occasions over the past week. The presence of the Lord was very beautiful. He regained consciousness for a short period just before his passing and each one of the family spoke special words to him and he was able to respond to each one.
The celebration of David's life will be held at the Evangelical Community Church, 19-23 Holland Road, Blackburn South, Melbourne on Friday 24th November at 11:00am for the viewing and 11:30am for the service followed by a luncheon.
We would appreciate your continual prayers for the family at this time. We are gathering forces to continue the vision of OBC worldwide - The Online Bible College.
With our special thanks and appreciation,
Paul and Bunty and Rebecca,
Elena, Jessica, Stephanie and Jordan.
posted by David A.Collins @ 10:19 AM
47 comments
47 Comments:
Thank you, David's family, for your letter.
I wept at the passing of a man I had never met. David's journey of faith in our Saviour touched my heart deeply.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Even as David has been received to glory, may our Lord comfort and strengthen your hearts each day.
Yours in Christ,
Lakshika
My walk with God is so much richer because of David and the OBC team.
I only ever spoke with him on the phone once or twice but I did enjoy a video of him preaching this year.
Other than that I only knew him through his teaching and sharing, and I loved his heart, his sense of humour, his love for his God and life.
I appreciated his transparency and his willingness to give and give in communicating and imparting of that which God had given him. His gift to communicate and inspire in the Word of God changed my life!
May God comfort you all at this time.
I am very sorry to hear about the passing of David. We will pray for the Lord's comfort to be with the family for this temporary separation until Jesus comes again.
With blessings
Antonio
I never met David but I was greatly impacted by his love of Jesus Christ. My prayers are with you, his family, as I'm sure you will miss him.
Dean in Arizona, USA
It was a great shock to me when i read the email.I have been expecting a miracle to happen. Although i am in the medical feild ,i was not moved by all the Drs reports. I was just trusting God to come through.HE is God and knows what He is doing, though we may not understand.My prayer goes to the family and pray for the peace of God to rest upon them.Jesus is still on the throne and HE knows best.David has gone home after completing what the Lord gave him to do.Well done David.He who has began a good work is faithful and able to complete it.I believe the work that David started will surely continue.I benefited from the on line bible course and its my prayers that many will also have the same piviledge.
Yours In Christ
Rebecca Annan
It's hard not to have mixed feelings at this time. I am ofcoarse joyful that a saint like David has gone off to be before the Lord but am in the same line saddened because of the same reason (because selfishly speaking he's left this world to do so). At this time more than ever men like David are needed in this world. Men of vision and clear understanding of who God is and how He works. My heart is heavy for his family and my prayers go out to you all. My hope is that what David started (particularly OBC) may be continued and shared like never before.
To the Collins Family: When I read of David's passing, I was heartbroken. I am a member of the fist graduating class of OBC. David taught and mentored me for two and a half years. I came to know our God in the light of an intimacy I never knew existed. For this I will ever be grateful and will be waiting to one day be able to meet my friend David and thank you for the wonderful work the Lord has accomplished in my life. David, my friend, your legacy lives on not only in and through your children but through the ministry of the Online Bible College. The Lord's purpose for your life will continue to bare fruit for his kingdom through this teaching ministry that has affected the lives of literally thousands of people. Well done good and faithful servant. I love you my brother. Until we meet in glory, Bertrand
Words cannot express the depth of my sorrow over the loss of David. He was a precious brother, and he fought the good fight to the end. I know he heard the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord."
David has left a legacy that his death will never touch. He has had an impact on many, many lives all over the world, including mine. He has forged the bonds of friendship and family that knows no earthly borders, and those of us who are beneficiaries of that are forever grateful. Even though he is no longer present with us in his earthly body, he will live on through the lives he has touched.
Thank you, Collins family, for sharing this beautiful gift with the world. Your reward is great, and the reunion some day will be precious. Even through the sorrow, we have reason to celebrate a life well-lived for Him.
May the God of peace continue to rule and reign in all of your hearts, and may His strong love and compassion see you through this difficult time.
Much love,
Patti
there will be much rejoicing in heaven .
praying for you all
peace and blessings
sandra
David lead an inspirational life. His love for the lord has shone from his very being and continues through you his wonderful family. Davids faith and character has impacted on so many people in a way that I believe has changed lives, it was an honour to know such a great man.
Our love and prayers are with you all at this the most dificult time.
All our love Jason and Melise Sutton and kids
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
David you will always be missed.
Loved you heaps David, will miss you much, your testimony and our same beliefs about what you shared was going on in Today's Church was exactly as mine! Looking forward to seeing you again in Glory brother!
Your friend Jonathan Walker.
(I will miss you!)
I always whished i could have met David to thank him personally for his outreach and awsome teachings.
I was stumped to read of his departure but rejoice in it! This is where his eternal life begins! His body may not be with us for now but his seeds and spirit is.
My prayers go out to the family for strength, comfort and continual blessings!
Your sister in Christ
Frida
I always whished i could have met David to thank him personally for his outreach and awsome teachings.
I was stumped to read of his departure but rejoice in it! This is where his eternal life begins! His body may not be with us for now but his seeds and spirit is.
My prayers go out to the family for strength, comfort and continual blessings!
Your sister in Christ
Frida
Paul, Bunty & Family,
I am saddened by the The Body's loss of David in this life but rejoicing for the precious and powerful victory of Christ over sin and death that was so evident in how David lived 'his' life. May our dear Lord comfort you and encourage you with the absolute assurance that He does all things well!
Much love and many prayers............Dave
Dear the Collins,
I have received the news with mixed feelings. But all in all, I thank the Lord because He loved him more that we do!
I wish I could come to join you during the ceremony.
David was not just a Pastor to all of us but " One dying for his friends "
David is a reason for my growth in the Lord since 2004 todate
David is a reason to my Church trust in me, I now can teach others the God's Word
David is a reason to my calmness during this time when I am left by my husband to leave with my children
David is a reason to my change in behavior
David is a reason to my promotion at work
David is a reason to the growth of many small and young church's growth in my country - Tanzania
David is a reason for me to get more friends
David is a reason to my confidence in prayer times.
And many many other reasons I have experienced since I joined the OnlineBible College.
May God’s comfort be with the Collins family.
Will keep in-touch
Mrs. Ruth Kapinga
David lived for Christ and in the short that time we have known him and his family, the impact that he has made to me and our church will last a lifetime. He will be sadly missed…
May God’s comfort be with theCollins family.
Darion Teoh
We were sorry to hear of David’s passing, but rejoice to know he is in a far better place with the Lord. No more pain or suffering. We at Community Chapel World Outreach will continue our prayers and support for all of you during these difficult days ahead. Anything we can do to help please feel free to contact me.
God Bless,
Rich, Kay
Dear Bunty, Paul and Rebecca
My love and prayers are with you at this time. I have been beside you in prayer for some months now. It has not been an easy journey as David's illness was so similar to that of my own dearest husband, Michael.
What struck me through my prayer journey with David is the strength of spirit and soul he had and his enormous courage and love.
It is such early days for you and the hardest task is coming to terms with his physical absence. His love for you will never die and you have such a dear one to welcome you to heaven when your time comes. I understand so well about the presence of God when your loved one passes on. I think of John 14 as a sort of 'divine collection service'.
When grief wants to overwhelm you, it feels dark. Then I remember that under the shadow of His wing, when you are enfolded in that healing place, there is protection, love and healing. I remember David singing on his guitar 'the name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run in to it, and they are saved'. I see him standing at the top of that strong tower where there is light -having climbed the steep dark steps to reach the top.
The Lord bless you and hold you firm at this time. My deepest sympathies also to his wife and children whom I do not know.
In Jesus
Rosie
We are deeply saddened by Davids passing but know he is out of pain and in Jesus arms. We have carried our memories of you and David since our time together in HK in 1983. He was a beacon of strength and faith. His sincerity and humor were a wonderful mix. His mind and ability to articulate his thoughts was impressive. We always have all of you in our hearts.
Love
Jim and Barb Henderson
Paul and Bunty and Rebecca,
Elena, Jessica, Stephanie and Jordan.
I want you to know that you are in our prayers. I spoke today about David in church. How God's word through him goes on.
I read his last post from the journey, it was very moving and a inspiration to all that were there, as was David's life"inspiration".
Truly the love of David's life"after the Lord" was his family.
How blessed we have been to have known a man of God as David collins, truly a man after God's Own heart, and now his pursuit is complete.
I am humbled and honored to have David calling me brother and friend.
Tom Gill
Ps Collins has been my dear pastor, friend and mentor for a good 10 months since Jan this year. Despite his failing health, he has been seeing me every week over a simple lunch in Nandos or MacDonald to guide my spiritual growth. He is God’s footprint in my life.
Sam Leung
Just heard the news of David's passing - when you have a chance to read this message guys, please be assured of my continued prayers for Elena, Jessica, Stephanie, Jordan, Paul, Bunty, & Rebecca & family that the comfort of God will be with each one of you and with the church in Melbourne and indeed all David's friends world wide.
He will be missed and mourned by thousands, but he is with his saviour now and at peace.
Love Leeanne
Hello dear family of David. This is Glenys Yarnold, nee Glen McDonald, X FaithCentre. I have had some wonderful memories of David this week since I heard the news of his passing. I have a picture of him at about 12 bringing the Word to a Faith Club childrens meeting at Bilgola Heights in Sydney. He was a remarkable young guy with a passion for God. That is how I remember him, and from what I hear, he grew up to be a great man of God.
My love and prayers to you all. I owe so much to you Paul and Bunty, for those wonderful years at Faith Centre which established me in the things of God. I know I received your mantle for children's ministry Bunty. It has never lifted from me.
Be encouraged that you have a lot of people praying and supporting you at this time.
Lots of love to you all.
Glen
Dear Paul, Bunty, Rebecca, Elena and family,
Both Dot and I trust that you are experiencing that "Peace which passes all understanding" during this moment of losing David. David has a legacy which will endure for generations to come. We can truely say David touched our lives like no other. To think that right now he is experiencing all that he has preached throughout his life.
Dot and I deeply regret we are unable to be with you on Friday to share in the celebration of David's life. Be assured we will be having our own celebration of David's life. We have so much to remember and be thankful for David's input into our lives and that of others. We cherish the day when we can be with him again and altogether spend eternity rejoicing in the God of our salvation.
Stan & Dot
Dearest Paul and Bunty and Elena and the kids,
There are no words to express our sorrow over the loss of such a precious friend and servant of the Lord. I'm sure we can't begin to know the pain that you must feel and so we thank God for His abundant grace that will see you all thru this. We can only take comfort in the knowledge that he has gone to a far, far better place where there is no more pain, sickness or tears. David is now worshipping the Lord - front row seat - and he has heard the words that we all want to hear - Well done, good and faithful servant! He has touched and blessed so many lives - including ours - and you have reason to be very proud to have raised such a godly and annointed man. And Elena inspired him to stay the course despite the challenges and the obstacles.
He has left such a rich legacy to Elena and the kids - a husband and father so loved, so admired by so many all over the world.
Know that you are in our prayers. Wish we could be there for you at this time.
We love you all!!!
Abet and Rina
Hi Bunty
So had you and the family on my heart at the end of last week and have just read the news that David has gone home to be with the Lord. My heart goes out to you and
your family and I will continue to pray for His comfort for you.
I weep with you and also rejoice over a marvellous life that was totally spent for the Lord's glory.
Love and blessings
Lamberta Groves
Christian Life Centre
To Davids Family
We hold you all close to our hearts in this trying time. David left behind a wonderful legacy and big shoes to fill. We have no doubt that you, his wonderful family, will carry on David's work.
May God Bless You All
We send you our love, our prayers, our hugs....and our thanks to David for sharing his remarkable story of courage and faith.
"In His Love"
Karin and Wayne Fraser
From far away Lagos, Nigeria David is touching lives. Our heart goes out to the family of David. Loosing a loved one is not easy to bear except by His special grace. Till we meet again on the resurrection morning. David, though we never met, but you touched my life.
Abioun Adeleke
I have been impacted by OBC more than words can describe. I ask the LORD to give you His strength and peace as your family goes through this hard time. David's teaching touched me greatly. You are blessed to have known him.
for HIS glory,
joanna :)
PA, USA
In Your Shadow
A Tribute to My Brother David
1962-2006
Caught red-handed yes we were
At least your hands were red – with jam
Mine were more the colour of yam.
I followed you to the heights
To look down gave us a fright
Once at the top you gave way to me
Oh so gentle-man-ly
Going first was for the ladies
To show our skill as water-babies
Perched on the top of the car roof
So proud you were that you could prove
You were bigger and older and wiser you see
To open the car door for me
I opened the door without a thought
Surprised at the response it had brought
Shut the door – you’re spoiling it!
So I did as you had bid
I was puzzled at your distraught
Till discovering your toes were caught
As the years went on I’d follow you
In everything you would do
Tolerating so graciously
Your little sister – Hey, that’s me
In everything we would share
People even called us a pigeon-pair
There is no better place here on earth
Than in your shadow I rather be
For more than precious gold it’s worth
With all my love, big brother – from me.
Copyright 2006. Rebecca Laklem
We Praise the Lord for Anjaan David Collins life that He has showed us an example for serving the Lord. The Lahu people learned a lot from him. We missed him! We are praying for your family.
God bless you,
Brother Yawla & the Lahu people
Dear Paul and Bunty and Rebecca,
It was with sadness that I heard of David's passing away. But I give thanks for his life. The courage, dignity and power of his testimony over the last year has been amazing, and will remain an inspiration to me. I know David was a man who lived this great calling out that we have to fullest of his ability. He has shown me that we can live in victory, even in the most difficult of situations.
My thoughts and prayers are (and will be) with you, and Elena and the children. May tomorrow be a great celebration of David's life.
God bless and comfort you all
love
David
Thinking of you all right now, Thurs night our time, Friday yours.
Goodbye to beautiful David for now. God has taken him to rest too soon for all of us, but I guess He knows what this is all about.
I love your poem Bec
Laura
To: Paul and Bunty and Rebecca,
Elena, Jessica, Stephanie and Jordan:
The Father is holding you in His loving arms as He is presently embracing our precious David.
It is difficult to express the deepest emotions felt at the loss of our precious brother and mentor. He truly gained Christ in life and now in death.
I will never be the same through the Spirit's work in me via OBC. You all have been such an encouragement and have put me on the cutting edge of truth.
In my own trial of my husband's failing health, I have learnt to follow hard after Jesus as our brother has. What an example!
He has encouraged me to speak with clarity and boldness in my proclamation of God's word as I pastor a country church. He has also encouraged me to write and use the internet for sharing the Word.
We are in prayer with you that the vision of OBC will continue to be carried forth throughout the world.
We are commissioned to make disciples, teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded...
Continue to be blessed with His ever abiding sustaining Presence.
We love you all as we did David,
Gloria Pahl
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Dear Paul and Bunty and Rebecca,
Elena, Jessica, Stephanie and Jordan,
My heart and prayers go out to you at this time, and our love. I pray that God's grace will lift you up and you will be able to grieve and yet have peace in the letting go of someone so greatly respected, admired, loved and touched by David's life. What a great man, friend, teacher, husband to Elena, father, and I am sure, Pastor, as he had a shepherd's heart. A caring man and friend. I will miss David so much and my memories of our time and friendship will never be lost or fade. He was gentle & kind and never forceful, yet passionate. Passionate with grace and knowledge of God and His ways, and respectful of others. David will be greatly missed and I pray over time, as we all grieve and let go, that you, especially, his family, loved ones, will find great joy and comfort in his parting and company with the Lord. David wanted to be here with his family and continue the work of God, and he continued to do just that right until it was time to go, how great will be His reward. The reward of the love and praise of our Father, what great joy. I pray that God will give you, his very much loved family; strength, the hope, & the grace at this time to fill the void that David will leave.
If there are any photos throughout the years of David that you could send to us his friends, when you are ready, even if its a year from now, of his life - that would be wonderful to see and receive and to remember David.
May God be with you and may He reveal to you His heart & purpose throughout this very trying time.
Lots of love
Danae
Dear Paul, Bunty, Rebecca, Elena & children,
Joe & I wish to extend our most heartfelt condolences to you at this time. The words sound so empty, but our hearts are full with sorrow. We rejoice for David
because he is in the presence of the Lord and there will be no more suffering, pain, nor tears for him, but our hearts ache for you. Of course, we all know that
this is only a separation for a time until you all are reunited with him, but we also know that no words can ever express how much he will be missed until the time
of your joyful reunion.
I corresponded with David several times and prayed for him every day. I met him once several years ago. He was passing through San Antonio and stopped by to be
in one of our church meetings that night. When I found out that he was there I went immediately to introduce myself. I felt that I got to know him through our
correspondences, but mostly through his daily blog "The Journey". Always through
this most difficult "journey" he was teaching and encouraging others. I always appreciated his honesty as well as he shared the pain, doubts, struggles, fears,
but he was always faithful, so faithful to believe God's word, no matter the battle waging against him.
David was a true man of faith and his life touched so, so many all around the world. We probably won't know until Heaven just how many lives he touched. The
life of God just flowed from him to others. How proud you must be of your precious son!
May the God of all comfort, comfort you and embrace you with grace and peace. Our
hearts and prayers are with you.
The Lord's blessing, peace and grace be upon you,
Donna & Joe Burttschell
Dear Paul & Bunty
I am in Launceston with a ministry engagement & have not been able to make it to the Celebration of David's life. My sincerest apologies.
Our thoughts are with you today and grieving with you in your tremendous loss, but also rejoicing in the victory of the resurrection and of a life
lived wholly for God. You must be immensely proud of David for a life lived to the fullest for his Lord. He is testament to your love and labours. The legacy of David's life will resound for many years to come, but more importantly for all eternity.
We grieve with you in your loss and in giving thanks for David's life.
We look to Jesus who is the resurrection and the life!
We love you
David & Jenny
David Orton
Lifemessenger Inc.
Dearest Paul & Bunty,
We are deeply saddened by the loss of our brother and teacher. We continue to pray for you and your family for strength, peace, hope and joy in your time of grief.
We love you.
Terri, Skip and Taylor
Paul & Bunty, Elena, Jessica, Stephanie, Jordan, Rebecca & family,
I just want to say that my thoughts and prayers are with you all in this difficult time and in the time of adjustment that lies ahead... I can't imagine how hard it must be for you all to adjust to life without David's physical presence!
I also want to say once again how proud I am of David, and how he lived his life here amongst us in the presence and purposes of God. He has impacted the lives of many, many people that I know... and countless more that I don't!
I was reading Psalm 116 this morning, and just saw David in almost every verse I read! I know that his life, his death, his eternal reward, and his ongoing legacy of faith and purpose here on earth are all so very precious in the sight of the Lord! I watched him leading a procession of praise into the throne room (the picture I could see was David as I knew him best, a young man with possibly limited guitar skills, but unlimited enthusiasm and unbridled love for his Saviour and Friend!). As I write this I am still weeping with both loss and joy.
I know that you are all proud of him... as you should be! Thank you all for supporting, encouraging, and adding to his strength, with which he was able to bless and lift up so many. Thank you for sharing him with us all, even at the end of this part of his journey.
With my love,
Bruce
Dear Paul, Bunty, Elena, Jessica, Stephanie, Jordan and Rebecca,
Our heart and prayers continue with you over these days. We share the pain for David'passing away, although we have the peace of heart that he finally overcame his battle of faith, and inspired all of us during this difficult process.
What a blessing and privilege was for us to work closely with David in the last 5 year through the Online Bible College! His leadership, teachings and ministry has definitively transformed our lives and we are forever thankful for his big vision, his deep mind and his great heart. What touched us most, was that over this last year in his final trial he remained always praying for us, showing concern and inspiring us to move ahead toward the great things that the Lord has in store through the ministy of the Online Bible College.
Much love and warmest embraces,
Carlos & Caren
Melisa, Matias and Pablo
Dear Paul & Bunty, Elena and family.
It was with great sadness that we read the news of David's passing however we have great joy in our knowing that he is with our Lord whom he loved so much. Please know that our love and prayers are with you all during this time. And I know that someday even though we did not get to meet him in person we shall meet him in heaven. David was a personal mentor to me and he was on our board of advisors for the last couple of years. If you didn't know about us we were Inspired by David and we in time launched a online school ourselves 4 years ago called Ames Bible College www.amesbible.org which now has 12,000 + students worldwide with 20 extension centers and a campus in Fort Myers at our church. and we owe our whole current ministry to a divine appointment I had with him one night chatting when he happened to be running the helpdesk. I headed up the OBC helpdesk for a time and then launched our own online school which I created from scratch under a accredited online university here in the US. I took over as president 2 years ago of that school Ames Christian University. He was such a blessing and inspiration to my wife and I and he will be greatly missed by us here. My Contact with him really changed my destiny and I'm eternally greatful. If there is anything we can do since we have a similar ministry and have a great personal love for OBC please contact us as we desire to see OBC continue. Please give our love to Elena and please let Carlos know that I'm available to help him in anyway. We are at your service under our master Jesus.
Love and Blessings
Dr. Vince & Laura Rizzo
Ames Bible College
Paul assures us in 2 Corinthians 5:1, "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
Brother David is now residing in that house. Let us rejoice in that!
I am greatful for the devoted work of this precious brother in Christ. The OBC has been a tremendous blessing in my life and in the lives of those with whom I have been blessed to share from the lessons I've learned there.
David's "The Journey" is a powerful testimony of endless faith and tremendous strength found and lived in a time of great physical weakness.
I hope and pray this Blog will remain online for a long time to come...for the continued benefit of all those who may read it.
To Paul and Bunty and Rebecca,
Elena, Jessica, Stephanie and Jordan...we rejoice with you in memory of the life of your beloved David...and in the life eternal he now lives.
And we all remain...your family here.
Prayerfully yours,
Jeff
To Elena, children, Paul and Bunty:
I was sadden to hear about the passing of David. He was a very gifted man and an excellent teacher. I feel blessed to have been one of OBC first graduates under his and your tutelage.
He is greatly missed.
When my grandmother died some years ago, a missionary said the she had been promoted to glory. It truly is a promotion to go from this earthly existence to being with our Heavenly Father.
May God's comfort and peace be with you.
Rodney Cox
David will be missed. Forgive my late message. I haven't been online much. I know David would be proud to know the OBC team will carry the torch in his absence. :)
God's Peace to you all
Amen
Dear Family,
David was such an impacting man for Christ. I have been an on gain off again student of his for the past couple years. We had never met but his life impacted me in words I cannot express. I will glory in glory when I see David with Jesus.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Doug
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