Church Life

12 Leaders Evangelicals Lost in 2021

Remembering theologian C. René Padilla, evangelist Luis Palau, refugee advocate Evelyn Mangham, and others.

Christianity Today December 21, 2021

In a year of too much death and dying, we lost some notable Christian leaders. Some were pastors, some evangelists, and some musicians. They were not all saints. They were not uncomplicated. But in their lives we were reminded of the hope that is within us, the kingdom that is coming, and the mystery that though we shall not all sleep, we shall all be changed (1 Cor. 15:51).

As Thomas McKenzie, the 50-year-old Anglican pastor who died on the first day of his sabbatical, explained at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is part of what it means to be Christian.

“We are weak in many ways, but we have the love of God in Christ and a deep commitment to one another,” he said. “We have a great future, a future of both suffering and triumph, of Cross and Resurrection.”

Here are the obituaries of a dozen men and women whom evangelicals lost in 2021, arranged in alphabetical order:

Check out the rest of our 2021 year-end lists here.

Also in this series

Our Latest

The Russell Moore Show

A Reading of Luke 2

Voices across Christianity Today join together to read the Christmas story found in Luke 2.

How Pro-life Groups Help When a Baby’s Life Is Short

Adam McGinnis

Christian groups offer comfort and practical support for expectant families grappling with life-limiting illness.

Hark! The Boisterous Carolers Sing

Ann Harikeerthan

I grew up singing traditional English Christmas hymns. Then I went caroling with my church in India.

“Christian First, and Santa Next”

Even while wearing the red suit, pastors point people to Jesus.

The Bulletin

The Christmas Story

The CT Media voices you know and love present a special reading of the Christmas story.

My Top 5 Books on Christianity in East Asia

Insights on navigating shame-honor cultural dynamics and persecution in the region.

A Rhythm of Silence and Solitude

Our culture rewards the sharpest take, but two spiritual practices can help Christians show up better in the public sphere.

What Rosalia’s ‘LUX’ Reveals About Religion Today

Christina Gonzalez Ho and Joshua Bocanegra

Young women score higher in “spirituality” than young men, but they’re leaving the church in droves. That comes through in recent releases like this one. 

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube