My Dear Shepherds.
That’s how Lee Eclov began each of his weekly columns. He wrote 291, the final one submitted and published last week.
He suggested in that piece that after Easter we may have “the post Holy Week droops.” Our people and churches “plug along much of the time.” Nothing much spectacular. But he reminded us how “Christ’s resurrection guarantees that our labor here and now, like our bodies, has a resurrection destiny—immortal, honored, and powerful.”
On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, Lee went to his resurrection destiny. It was sudden and unexpected. His wife, Susan, and their son and daughter-in-law, Andy and Rikki, survive him.
Lee and I met 45 years ago. We were both young pastors in Pennsylvania. Our churches were separated by 150 miles, but we bonded over preaching. We wrote our sermons out word-for-word, which made detailed discussion possible.
Courtesy of Lee EclovLee was relentless in his quest for precise words, accurate shades of meaning, and any linguistic strategy that might take a listener into Jesus. Because his churches were never large, he was the primary preacher. He had tremendous affection for pastors who create fresh material week after week.
Along the way Lee added readers to his audiences of listeners, marshalling words in a different manner but reaching the same hearts. He wrote over the years for, among other publications, Leadership Journal, Preaching Today, and CT Pastors.
Words were his craft, encouragement his currency. He drew from a deep reservoir to build up others. Sometimes those interactions did not show on the calendar. He always had a new coffee shop encounter story. Over the years those numbered in the hundreds.
Add to that all the pastors who sought a slot on his calendar. They came in a steady stream for his wisdom. The sum of those confidential conversations allowed him to speak with quiet authority regarding the joys and challenges of church life.
Lee also taught part-time at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Denver Seminary. His students remembered what they learned and how much he cared for them.
As a pastor in the trenches that well of encouragement sometimes ran dry for himself. Last week’s column detailed a season of discouragement and two men who prayed over him. He wondered over the years why, with all the care he gave to the communication process, he did not have the opportunity to preach to bigger congregations.
Maybe that’s because he did not aspire to be an organizational man. He once asked me to spell out how leaders conjure an official written vision for their place. His conclusion after my explanation: I don’t get it and I’m not much interested in it.
Instead, he was a shepherd, and a shepherd to shepherds. He constantly highlighted the link between our faithful toil and its eternal impact. Where does plugging along much of the time get us, or our people? “Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.” (1 Corinthians 15:58 MSG) It counts, all of it. He loved that verse. That was his theme.
Early this year we began working to renovate CT Pastors. Lee was integral to those discussions, never allowing them to meander far from what a shepherd really needs and experiences. We are the beneficiaries of his faithfulness.
I’ll conclude with Lee’s sign-off to me all the years I’ve known him, and to all of us in every column: Be Ye Glad!
—Thomas Addington
COO, Christianity Today
Obituary & Memorial Serice
Read Lee Eclov’s obituary and find information on his memorial service.
Tributes to Lee Eclov
CT Pastors Preaching Tools just lost one of its most prolific contributors: 75 sermons, 356 articles and devotionals, 10 entries in The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching, and more.
And the church just lost a pastor’s pastor, and a preacher’s preacher.
A pastor’s pastor. Lee’s preaching flowed from his pastoring. Lee hailed from South Dakota, was not impressed by glitz, so never became enamored with the seeker model so prevalent in the ‘80s. Instead, he was old school, a reader of Eugene Peterson, and a pastor who focused on one person at a time.
When I began pastoring full-time, in midlife, Lee was my Yoda. We would meet at Weber Grill, joke about who was going to buy lunch, and Lee would talk about what it means to be a pastor and how to go about things. His ability to befriend people—whether a board member in his church or a bagel server at Einstein Bagels—astonished me.
In my church now, I have a family who had once had Lee as their pastor. They tell me, “He was the best pastor we ever had,” without qualifying it in any way. I’m not hurt; we both know it’s true.
A preacher’s preacher. A careful exegete of Scripture, Lee also had an artist’s touch with words. He read novels and had that sense for character, place, and tone. He reminded me of, and became friends with, Mark Buchanan. Like many artists, Lee sometimes felt writer’s block and often worked best at the 11th hour.
Lee attended Evangelical Homiletics Society meetings and studied the craft of preaching, but he never spoke as an orator, only as pastor and friend. He knew times of anxiety and did not always sleep well, so he could speak with empathy to people, as he did in his sermon The Test:
Sometimes when we look into the suffering of other believers, we say, “I don’t know how she does it. I don’t think I could bear up under that.” God does give us more than we can bear sometimes, make no mistake about that, and in those times we may lose touch with God. We may not know what to believe anymore. We may not be able to pray. We may cry out with Psalm 88: “[D]arkness is my closest friend” (v. 18). But unless sin invades and conquers, your faith will not fail.
Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of the Lord.
—Kevin Miller
Rector, Church of the Savior, Wheaton, IL
Former Editor and VP at Christianity Today
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“What state is this?” Lee Eclov asked, pointing to the famous South Dakota hat he loved to wear. So began 13 years of a profound relationship with Lee. It started as a work connection but quickly evolved into a friendship and, ultimately, a true father-son dynamic.
No one in my entire time at CT encouraged me or my work for pastors more than Lee Eclov. He had a heart for pastors. He was a true shepherd’s shepherd. He loved talking to them. “What are you preaching on?” and “What are you reading?” were the two questions I heard him ask every preacher. He firmly believed that reading made him a better preacher because novelists are so skilled with words.
I would argue Lee was a novelist in his own right. He agonized over every word he included in his pieces for Preaching Today. Because of all those outlines and rewrites (often done even before sending a piece in for my review), his words sang. He was a true Wordworker, and I mean that in both the spiritual sense of preaching and the secular sense of writing.
One of my greatest joys during my tenure at CT was working with Lee on a weekly devotional. I think he would say it was one of the hardest things he ever did. Because it was a weekly cadence, I interacted with him regularly, reviewing his content and talking over the phone or via email. He would often joke with me, “Don’t touch any of my darlings” (referring to his carefully chosen words for the week). And to be honest, I wouldn’t. This is hard for an editor to admit, but Lee was such a careful writer and knew his audience so deeply that his work needed no edits. His thoughtfulness in every word choice made me a better writer and editor. I am forever grateful for that lesson.
My only regret is that I never saw or heard Lee give a message live. I have read hundreds of his sermons. Some you can read on CT Pastors, and others he shared directly with me simply because he liked an illustration or an interesting textual discovery. Every single one moved me closer in my relationship to my Savior.
As I mentioned at the start, this was far more than a working relationship. Lee became a true father figure in my life. I loved Lee, and I know he loved me, Kathleen, and our daughter Keeley. When he and Susan vacationed on the West Coast last spring, they made it a point to visit us in Vancouver so they could meet our one-month-old daughter. The joy I saw on his face was that of a doting grandfather holding her in his arms. I will cherish that time with Lee and Susan for the rest of my days.
For the record, regarding that very first question: I guessed South Dakota initially but changed my answer to North Dakota after a well-timed “Are you sure?” from Lee. I still remember his response: “You are the closest anyone has guessed without guessing it right.”
Heaven welcomed a mighty man of God. I can only imagine the joy in Lee’s voice as he finally sees his Savior face-to-face.
—Andrew Finch
Web Content Strategist, Church Media Squad
Former Managing Editor of Preaching Today
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I knew Lee through his writing before I knew him personally. One of my roles while I worked at CT was to do a first edit on articles and sermons for Preaching Today, which included work from Lee. He would later joke that my job of editing his writing must have been the easiest thing I ever had to do. Looking back it was definitely one of the most fulfilling. As I read his words, without realizing it, Lee was caring for my soul. Later, when I actually met Lee, I found out that for as great of a writer and communicator as he was, to know the man who held the fountain pen, was to be known and seen and cared for. His shepherding heart which seeps through in his articles and devotionals and sermons came naturally from his soul, it’s who he was all the time, to everyone he met, whether in church, or at his favorite coffee shop. He was present with you in the moment, fully. He didn’t ask questions of people just to be polite, he was genuinely curious and wanted to know you.
And if he found out you were a pastor, for any amount of time, Lee served as both a host and guide into this unique calling that can be hard to describe. He would welcome you into the club, treating you as an equal, while at the same time letting you know you aren’t the first to experience the highs and lows of ministry, and you weren’t alone. Lee had the gift and ability to both encourage and empathize with pastors, it’s one of the things I loved about his weekly column, which he originally wanted to call “For Pastors On Mondays”—his writing was never about “try harder” and it wasn’t an information dump, it was a shepherd who had already traversed both the well-worn and the overgrown paths, giving his fellow Wordworkers the confidence to keep pressing forward. He was always reminding pastors that even though the work can be hard, it’s good, it’s needed, and it’s important.
Lee loved words and he always chose his carefully. He was a storyteller, and his favorite stories to tell were the ones that pointed people to Jesus. He worked hard to be creative, to formulate imagery and scenes that would elicit a variety of emotions, but no matter the story or picture he was creating, they would always end the same way, leading the reader or listener to experience the joy, grace, and strength of knowing and walking with Jesus. I’m thankful that Lee answered the phone when I would call, opened the door when I knocked, and allowed me to sit in a rocking chair and learn firsthand what it looks like and feels like to shepherd another person. The pastor who never stopped pastoring, perpetually “homesick” is now eternally at home, and because of that even though I’m sad, his consistent sign off can ring true, and I can “be ye glad” for my friend.
—Tim Gioia
Pastor, Christian Fellowship Free Church, Chicago, IL
Former Leadership Journal editorial resident
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Few pastors care so much about the craft of pastoring like Lee Eclov. We used to joke about how we both disliked the label of “communicator” for the proclamation of God’s Word. You’re not a communicator, he railed. You’re a preacher!
Lee also understood what it means to pastor people. Pastors have the incredible privilege of walking with our people in the midst of their holiest, scariest, most beautiful and most vulnerable moments. Lee not only taught and wrote about how pastors can do that, he also lived it. To the end of his days on this earth he acted and thought like a pastor.
In our last conversation, just a few days before he died, Lee encouraged me to pursue a new ministry venture that would require risk and faith. To the very end, he pastored even this pastor. I’ll miss his preaching, his wisdom, his fine writing, and his unique email signature–Be Ye Glad. Yes, my friend, you are and forever will be truly glad in the Lord’s presence.
—Matt Woodley
Interim Dean of the Cathedral, Church of the Resurrection
Former Editor, Preaching Today
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Lee Eclov, gentle shepherd. Lee was very much a part of the Evangelical Homiletics Society. A few years ago, at which he mentioned would be his last meeting, Lee spoke to the society during a luncheon at the annual meeting. All eyes were on him in his gentle presence. His touching, tender words captured the moment as he depicted his association with the society and his appreciation for it. However, we were more appreciative of him. His presence, insights at paper presentations, encouraging conversations about preaching–from decades of experience–brought strength and inspiration to us all.
Personally, Lee was a constant source of strength and grace. I’m grateful for this man of God, this gentle shepherd, and for all that I benefitted from knowing him, which helped me to know the Gentle Shepherd better.
—Scott M. Gibson
Editor, The Journal of the Evangelical Homiletics Society
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I first met Lee while I was a student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. My wife and I decided to visit Village Church of Lincolnshire, not far from campus—and as they say, “the rest is history.” We moved in and out of each other’s lives over the years, but we reconnected more recently. He always considered me a fellow shepherd, but truth be told, I was part of his flock—or, as he put it, “one of his guys.”
It would take far too long to recount all that I learned from Pastor Lee. But above everything else, one lesson stands out: pastoral leadership is more than strategies and vision, more than reading the next blockbuster book on church growth, more than sharp, deep theology. Pastoral ministry is about being a shepherd of God’s grace.
Be ye glad—truly glad indeed that this man was part of my life.
—Korey Kincaid
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I never met Pastor Eclov but I looked forward every Wednesday to reading his encouraging words. My heart is sad at my own loss- and yours But I’m rejoicing that Lee Eclov is now with Jesus.
—Kimberly Shifler
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I didn’t know Lee Eclov personally, only through the CT Pastors group, about two or three years ago—when I discovered him by chance on the internet. Today, April 16th, while checking my emails, I came across a message from CT Pastors that, although frequently written by Lee, was signed today by Pastor Thomas Addington. I found it strange. I was suspicious, and as I read it with tears and longing in my eyes, my suspicions were confirmed.
Even without knowing Pastor Lee personally, Pastor Thomas’s text conveyed exactly who he was: someone simple, profound, and committed to Christ and His church. Pastor Lee’s work certainly achieved much more than he could have imagined, for “God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20”.
May the Holy Spirit console and comfort all members of the family and His church. Amen!
—Diógenes de Magalhães, Presbyter in Pederneiras, São Paulo, Brazil.
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I never had the pleasure of knowing Pastor Eclov personally but looked forward to receiving his insights and encouragement, often a word in season. Thank you for sowing the good seed, may it continue to grow and bear much fruit for eternity.
—Wes Jones
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I discovered Lee’s writing this last year after our Senior Pastor was unexpectedly removed and I (a young and inexperienced pastor) found myself standing in the gap, desperately needing help and support to be a good shepherd. I have been wishing in the last few weeks that I could somehow show my appreciation to Lee. I prayed that he would be surrounded by people who would voice appreciation and encouragement as I had no way of doing from our little church in the UK. Here is the opportunity I had wished for, but in what circumstances!
I have only ever read Lee’s letters, and yet I wept to read of his promotion to glory. I feel I have lost a friend I have only just found. I am so grateful to have found him. Our church’s love and prayers to Susan, Andy & Rikki. My inexpressible gratitude for the way Lee humbly and generously lived out his calling. I look forward to thanking him personally on the day of glory yet to come.
—Claire Pemberton
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Thank you brother for the weekly update that encouraged me. Please say a special hello to my grandson Moses Thompson. Been in glory 6 years this July 9th. Rejoice in your inheritance. Praise be to God!
—Robert Thompson
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I am a pastor in the UK. I loved Lee’s writing. Occasionally, I would send him a note to say ‘thank you’. To my surprise, he responded, and was curious to know about me, and my reading and preaching themes. To my even greater surprise, he suggested that we should ‘visit’ over ‘Zoom’. I felt both excited, and nervous, about meeting one of my heroes. But he was humble, unassuming, and put me at my ease. I will always treasure that memory, and value the special man who gave me the gift of his time. I am so deeply sorry for his loss. What a legacy he has left.
—Stephen Thompson
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I never met Lee but I felt like I knew him from his writings. I looked forward to reading his encouragement to ministers and could feel the heart of a shepherd in his work. I will miss those words of encouragement but I am so thankful that God shared this wonderful man of God with the world. God grant strength and grace to his loved ones at this time. Please know that his congregation was larger than he could imagine and his ministry touched many lives around the world. Rest easy my friend.
—E.M. Johnson
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Lee’s messages have been a deep source of encouragement to me. They gently lead me to reflect, refocus, and realign my life and ministry toward God alone.
—Roger Tan
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Lee was an inspiration in his writings. He could relate to me as a pastor. He had a pastor’s heart, a caring heart and a heart full of hope for pastors. I read his posts occasionally and was encouraged by them. Thank you for being a blessing to the kingdom of God and being an encouragement to me and so many. Thank you!
—Dan Zemlicka
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I recognized “Lee Eclov” the name, but not the face, when I saw it at a Festschrift banquet at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School some years ago. “Excuse me: Are you really Lee Eclov?” He was, and I thanked him for the weekly encouragement that he sent to me through the CT devotional.
He had such a look of surprise on his face that I knew him by his words, but of course I did, and I was only one of many pastors who looked forward to receiving Lee’s letters to the “dear shepherds.” His was not content designed to hack my homiletics, to vet better volunteers, or to otherwise optimize my pastoral performance. It was loving, biblically rich writing with the purpose of building courage in my heart week to week. His were letters that were written by a man who knew the travails of the pulpit as well as the fellowship hall, hospital bedside, conference room, and coffee shop. When his little letters landed in my inbox, he didn’t know he was writing them to me, nor that they were doing their appointed work in my sometimes-weary, sometimes-proud heart.
That night in the banquet hall he asked me about my ministry, an interest born from a heart that couldn’t help but pastor the pastor. What a gem! I’m grateful that I was able to thank him in person and let him know his work was really truly a blessing to me. His legacy will continue to bear fruit in many lives, including mine.”
—Kessia Reyne Bennett
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Even though I am just a layperson, I loved reading his messages to pastors every week. I know he is in a better place but will definitely miss his words.
—Bobby Boon
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I am not currently serving as a pastor, and opportunities to teach are rare these days. But I always appreciated reading Lee’s words of encouragement to shepherds. His writing spoke to me as though I were still in the pulpit.
A few times I wrote to him simply to say, “That was great,” or “Those words seemed inspired.” He truly had a gift with words — and what an encourager he was.
Our pastor and brother, Lee, will be sorely missed until we see him again in Glory. We are sad, brother Lee, but glad for you.
—Dean Schreiber
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I’m so thankful for Lee’s wisdom and shepherding. Without fail I have read his words as they come into my inbox on a Thursday morning Australian time, and have felt warmed and encouraged. I’m an assistant pastor in a small inner city church of a major city. I serve amongst a diverse people, many with great need. Lee’s words always seem timely and constantly bring me back to the treasure we hold as we shepherd in the name of the Good Shepherd. Thanks Lee.
—Michele Moorhouse
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Thank you Lord for Pastor Lee. I know he is with you now in the comfort of your arms. Pastor Lee had a wonderful way of encouraging and blessing me during times of struggles. He was a gifted shepherd who guided me when I felt lost in my sermon preparation or just discouraged. He had a quiet strength yet bold witness for Jesus in his writings that always helped me move forward. May the Lord continue to bless his wife and family during this time.
—Cliff Asai
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Not until I was retired did I run across Lee’s writings through Christianity Today, but every word he said about our work as pastors (shepherds) resonated with me. Those words also encouraged me as I have continued to do “small” work among small pastor-less congregations as a supply preacher and Session moderator. Lee’s wisdom will be missed, but it will also be magnified through the ministry of the many church leaders he mentored through his column, even though he never met us personally.
—Kathryn Dudley
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I never met Lee, but his phrase “My dear Shepherds” drew me in. Here was a grace-saturated, love-drenched pastor, full of stories of God’s work in run-of-the-mill church ministry. He may have wondered why he never preached to larger congregations. I suspect it’s because if he’d pastored a large congregation, he couldn’t have ministered with the same warmth and understanding to people like me – an unknown shepherd of an unknown church. His ministry spread far and wide – I’m in a small town in the UK. His most moving writing was about longing for heaven. Now his longing is over.
—Dan Clark
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I will miss Lee’s joy-filled posts each week. They always gave me a lift, a challenge, and some hope. His book “Pastoral Graces” sits within reach on the bookshelf behind me as I write this. It has reframed my world and helped keep me going many times. Thank you, Lord, for this man. He reminded me why I need to be glad!
—Tim Pippus
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Describing Lee as a shepherd is so appropriate. I only met him through his writings, and he was able to convey the rich , and protective sentiments of a good shepherd.
—Christopher Daley
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I loved his obvious love of writing, but nothing touched me more than when he wrote of the hospital room, the counseling chamber, and the loneliness of the pulpit. He wrote with such poignancy and love that I knew he knew what I have experienced in both the highs and lows of ministry. I am forever grateful for a shepherd who understood how much shepherds need the good Shepherd – and how near he is. Be ye glad.
—Bryan Chapell
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When I first discovered Lee’s weekly articles here on CT, it was like stumbling across a rich trove of treasure for the pastor’s soul. I looked forward to, and was encouraged by, each week’s entry, and many I saved for future reference or to share with others.
I never met him, but I felt that if I ever did, I would instantly like him and be comfortable with him. Now I will look forward to that pleasure in Heaven; and for now, will endure what will seem a disappointing absence in my routine each week. I am grateful so much of his writing has been published and will continue to be available for the encouragement and nurture of God’s frontline shepherds.
—Rocky Coffin
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My only engagement with Lee was through his regular appearance in my inbox via his emails to pastors. Like most pastors, I read a lot. Lee’s writing was unique. He wrote with heart, love, and wisdom – reminiscent of Eugene Peterson, but with more practical guidance. I saved one of his articles: “Pisgah,” where he shared a burden most pastors carry: why are my ministry dreams and visions not coming to fruition? We labour faithfully, quietly, and humbly, and yet seem to see such meager results.
Lee had a way of shepherding these broken hearts of other shepherds. I have not read or even heard words like his before. Words through whom the heart of the Good Shepherd could so easily be experienced. Apart from his writings for CT, I am unsure how well-known he was among the wider evangelical world – but who cares? He fulfilled his calling, and his reward is on high. I will miss his smiling face at the end of each article. Can’t wait to meet him.
—Santosh Ninan
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I never knew Lee but was an avid reader of his articles that encouraged elders. I gauged from his writings that he was a very Godly brother.
—Larry Pratt
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I looked forward to his email each week. They were a blessing to me.
—Shannon Powers
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Lee’s Shepherd emails were something I always looked forward to finding in my inbox. He was a true pastor’s pastor—humble, encouraging, and gifted with keen insight into the Scriptures. But what set him apart most was his ability to write in a way that felt deeply relatable, and that made all the difference. He would close each message with the simple charge, “Be encouraged.” And I am encouraged, even now, as I look forward to meeting him face to face.
—Daniel Cooley
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Lee understood me as a pastor in a way that almost no one else did. He wrote about the “everyday pastor’s” experience as one with insider information and always emerged with encouragement. He was one of the most famous unknown pastors. I am thankful to have had interaction with him — he made me feel like a close, personal friend though we never met face-to-face.
—Jeff Stanfill
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I always looked forward to reading Lee’s articles. It was amazing how often his topic fit my station in life and ministry. He also always had time for me, an email response, a video call, always words of encouragement. He helped me through the tough times, and I will always be grateful. I will always be glad to have known him.
—Mark Marshall
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I had never heard of Lee until I read a book of his. I was searching for a “This place is home” approach after reading another book (“Glad You’re Here”) by someone else and saw his “Feels Like Home.” It struck the chord I needed.
Then I read “Pastoral Graces” and the first two volumes of “Shepherding the Shepherd.” I found volume 3 and began reading again the other two first during my morning Quiet Time. I am 1/2 way through #2 and will do #3 when I am done.
I have never met Lee face-to-face but feel like he is a kindred spirit. I would have loved to spend time with him. My ministry (now 50+ years) has always been in small churches. He impacted me without even knowing it. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to tell his family what he means to me.
—Bill Grandi
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I met Lee during one of the more challenging seasons of my ministry life — to say things had gotten rocky would be an understatement. I had long appreciated his writing, and one day I responded to one of his articles, asking if he might share a few minutes of his time. The conversation that followed was so encouraging and so full of hope that I walked away with a renewed heart, a strengthened spirit, and a deeper desire to love Jesus more.
In the years since, I continued to read everything Lee wrote, and we shared a few interactions along the way — each one leaving me encouraged for the next step. I am truly saddened to learn of his passing. Voices like his in the church seem to be increasingly rare, and I pray that God will raise up more in his place.
—Chad McCallum
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I first met Lee two decades ago when he connected my small rural church with a lady from his who was giving away a piano. When the day came to move the piano, Lee was right there alongside myself and another gentleman from my congregation. He made an impact on me that day as he took time out of his busy pastoral schedule to do a simple deed to help a small church and its pastor in a very tangible way.
Many years later Lee and I reconnected through one of his Shepherding the Shepherd seminars. That was a truly valuable experience for me. Following that, I’ve emailed him several times over the past few years and he never failed to reply back almost instantly, and with just a couple of reminders, not only remembered who I was but where I was and what I was doing.
Like Lee, I’ve often struggled with not having my pastorate reach more than a small congregation in some forgotten place. Lee helped me to see the value of my ministry and was always able to help this sometimes ungrateful pastor to remember that it is the Lord we serve and it is the Lord Who knows what He is doing in putting us in the places where we serve.
Lee truly was a pastor’s pastor. Whether through his writing (I looked forward to his weekly tidbits of wisdom to find its way into my inbox and his books have been so helpful) or his personal interactions with me, I am a better shepherd. I keep one of his quotes hanging in a prominent place by my desk – “”get small, trust Jesus, don’t sin.”” Good words for all of us.
I praise God for Lee Eclov and while his homegoing leaves a hole in the lives of his family and friends, he is enjoying his reward while standing face to face with the Savior he spent his life glorifying. Until we meet again, friend…
—Joshua Jensen
Kost Evangelical Free Church rural North Branch, Minnesota
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Receiving Lee’s column each week was a comfort and an inspiration to carry on serving the Good Shepherd as faithfully as possible. I only knew him through his column for pastors, but he seemed so approachable, and his genuine care for us shone through. Over the years, I have saved countless columns to reread and have shared many with fellow pastors. I give thanks to our Heavenly Father for his witness, and I will deeply miss his insights.
—Leah Krotz
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Lee was my pastor in Pennsylvania when I worked at Geneva College. I learned a lot from him then, but I have learned even more from him in the last few years. We reconnected when I brought him in as a speaker for my denomination’s national conference. He was one of the people I reached out to when I got my eye cancer diagnosis, and the mix of support and care and love that he shared over the phone in those moments meant the world to me.
This past year, he invited me to be part of a small group he was leading. It was a group of pastors who met online once a month to talk about preaching and take turns sharing a sermon recording to get feedback. Last month I had the chance to share one of my sermons and get his response. I am so eternally grateful for those moments…
It is hard to explain what his support meant to me. Lee spoke such bold and healing words of affirmation for me as a female pastor. He gave me courage. He gave me the strength to keep serving Jesus in the way I’m called to serve, even when it’s hard, even when it hurts.
Thank you Lee…Such simple words, but this time they hold so much more I can ever express… Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
—Susan Moody
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I’ve been so grateful for Lee’s tender pastor’s heart that showed up in every column. May his family find comfort in knowing how far his ministry reached, including to me – who never met him in person but look forward to thanking him in the next life.
—Karen Koiter
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More times than I can number, Lee shared a living word in his weekly newsletter. Always encouraging, frequently teaching, I am so grateful for his ministry to us pastors. He always built up and that is a phenomenal testimony. Well done, Brother!
—Lori O’Dea
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Please accept my sincere condolences on the earthly loss of your husband, father, and grandparent. Lee and I co-taught a doctoral class at Denver Seminary in the summer of 2021. It was such a delight to learn from him and to dialogue with him about life and ministry. We also laughed a lot. I had always hoped we would have that same opportunity one more time but, alas, it was not to be.
May the faithfulness of God sustain you with His hope and promise that Lee is home with his Savior and Lord. The truth about our eternal residence was consistently and powerfully at the core of his life and in his writings. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
—Fred Lian
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I always appreciated Lee’s little tidbits and I thank God for his faithfulness in little things.
—James Wittenberg
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To the Family & Friends, I was deeply saddened by Lee’s entry into God’s glory. Since 2022, he has been a good friend to me, always encouraging and making time for a Zoom call despite his busy schedule of speaking and writing.
He particularly encouraged our small Hope Church congregation in Sharon, MA, by sending a video message. I asked him to write a letter to encourage shepherds of small congregations in New England for my Doctoral Thesis at Gordon-Conwell. Here is a small excerpt from this shepherd who shepherded many shepherds like me.
Dear fellow pastor,
God, for reasons known only to him, plucked us out of the line of his upward-bound saints and gifted us to his church as pastors and teachers. When he called us, he also embedded in our spiritual DNA a capacity and duty to teach and preach the Scriptures, to bring out their treasures old and new.
In his paper, our brother Francis Balla has championed expository preaching, an approach to preaching I’ve embraced for over 40 years. However, I’ve learned that biblical preaching requires more than careful handling of the text. As challenging as that is, there’s more to preaching than that. To begin with, we must love the people to whom we preach. It’s easy to love the Bible; entirely true and reliable, rich and fascinating, life-giving. Our people are not always so inviting! But preaching without love comes off as a pair of cymbals dropped on the floor.
Lee truly loved people! My prayers are with you.
—A fellow shepherd, Rev. Dr. Francis Balla
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Even as a seasoned pastor myself, I still found wisdom, insight, and encouragement from Lee’s columns.
—Andrew Lee
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When he looked at you,
eyes shining with something like grief,
you felt as though he had within him
a shepherd’s old weather-beaten crook,
searching deep for some hold in you
to hook onto.Just like the clouds are moved
by the pull and tug of winds above and below
urging them on across the horizon,So it was with you, my Under-Shepherd,
Master Wordworker, Kingdom Scribe. I felt
in each office or study that to talk
with you was to find myself led further in
to my soul, to Christ, to the task we both loved.
But what I felt then had to lead to this.
I must now watch you pass out of my sight
and rejoice through tears that those blue eyes now
see the source you felt pulling you all those years:
The Word above all words, the King himself
whose gold crown, like yours, has a crook on it.Now, a crook hangs silently on my wall.
Now, I feel anew that tug—and take it up.—Casey Dwyer
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I had the opportunity to meet Lee twice, both times online. The second time was as part of a training he did all day with a group of pastors, where he facilitated discussion and care for one another.
The first time was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve had. Like many, I read and soaked in so many of his devotions. It moved me to a point where I searched his contact information and sent him a note. I don’t remember the content of the email I sent him, but I am sure it was about how precious his devotions were to me when I was in a dark place.
Next thing I know, he responded with the Eclov-encouragement (yes, that is one word). Then, he invited me to meet with him on a Zoom call. It was just Lee and me. We talked for a very long time about ministry, preaching, life, and church. What a wild experience! He didn’t know me, but he took an interest.
When you call him a “shepherd to shepherds,” that’s not a simple nicety. That was his lifestyle. I will miss his words, but am grateful to have had them, and thrilled that he gets to hear “well done, good and faithful servant” from the Shepherd.
—Nick Pannone
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I read Lee’s writings for several months before inviting him onto my podcast, which was for pastors of smaller churches. Lee was a pastor’s pastor. I totally enjoyed my time with Lee!
When Lee answered my phone call, the first words out of my mouth were “Lee Eclov you old muckety muck you! How are you doing?!” Those were the first words he ever heard from me, and we launched off into a wonderful and personal conversation.
I am not currently podcasting, but here is that conversation I had with Lee, where he shares so intimately his challenges and struggles as a pastor, and so doing brings great encouragement to other pastors.
My heart goes out to Lee’s wife and family. He had an oversized amount of love and encouragement for others, and he will be missed!
—Jeff Keady
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I ALWAYS looked forward to Pastor Eclov’s writing to shepherds. It certainly seems like a big loss to the church, but he is very correct in that we all have an appointment with God. We just don’t know when it is. However, I HOPE, when I arrive there, I will get to meet Lee in person.
—William Sillings
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I never met Lee personally but grew to love and appreciate him for the insightful and encouraging letters he wrote each week to fellow Pastors. What a gift he had, and what an impact! I found myself quoting him on numerous occasions. His influence extended far beyond what he could have known. I look forward to meeting him face-to-face in heaven one day.
—Jonathan Schaeffer
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As a small-town, small-congregation pastor in a rural Canadian setting, I so appreciated Lee Eclov’s perspective on the role we pastor’s perform. God spoke to my heart many times through his devotional writings. Thanks Lee! Heaven’s gain is our (my) loss. God’s peace be with his family in this season of sorrow.
—Maury McNeil
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“Our time with you at the VCL cannot be forgotten; it was a significant part of our journey here in the US and in life. One of the nicknames I use to trigger conversation about our time with you is “Be ye Glad!”
In every situation we find ourselves, whether bitter or sweet. Your successors, beginning with Pastor Kenny and Associate Casey, and Pastor Jim, the current Shepherd, follow your great legacy of making everyone feel like coming home as they come into the church sanctuary.”
Above is an excerpt from the email I sent to Pastor Lee on April 8, 2026 @11:16 pm. I was part of a response to an email I sent him after having read one of his latest articles on Preaching Today. My family and I would continue to cherish the good memories we had with Pastor Lee and Susan at the VCL.
—Matthew N. Tsado
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Gentle, kind, interested, caring, thought provoking, and faithful shepherd. A privilege to know him.
—Martin Stidham
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Brother Lee’s wisdom has never NOT been needed, and maybe now more than ever! I was called into ministry at 13, and ordained at 23. I’ve never seriously entertained the notion of rejecting (or leaving) that call – ministry is all I ever want to do; but in 2024, I went through the most painful and difficult season of ministry I’ve had yet in nearly 30 years of serving Jesus’ Church.
I type this through tears as I think about how often Lee’s encouragement pulled me back from the brink of despair and hopelessness. Now, by God’s grace, things are much better; but I don’t know that I would have made it through the “valley of shadow” without the wisdom and wit of a man I’ve never met (but rest assured, he’s on my “Top 20 People to Greet First in Heaven” list!). Rest in Peace Lee.
—Casey Scott
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I am so grateful for the models he gave to craft meaningful and powerful sermons.
—Paul Edwards
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As a Scottish pastor, I discovered Shepherding the Shepherd through a recommendation of one of the collected volumes. I was so encouraged and blessed by it that I ended up buying all three in the lead up to my ordination earlier this year – such a blessing to me and the others who read them in turn.
I wrote to thank Lee and he was such a warm, wise encourager. So thankful for his insights, kindness and passion for us to be glad in our labours as Word workers.
Remembering his family and friends at this time.
—Jo Black
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Lee was a good friend going back to our days in seminary. I have always admired and appreciated his care for pastors and the work that we do. He was humble, gentle, thoughtful and encouraging in his words and actions, always pointing us to Jesus. Well done my friend. We will miss you.
—Pastor Ric Stanghelle, Lindstrom, MN
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I knew Lee well for 3 years (2008-2011) while at TEDS. He loved and encouraged me well during a pastoral care class as well as faithfully leading at Lincolnshire EFC. I am a senior pastor in IN currently and am grateful for his disciplemaking and shepherding spirit.
—Andrew Smiley
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I am a grateful recipient of Lee’s weekly writing. I was so uplifted as a young preacher that I purchased one of his books. His writings and approach to the task of preaching and pastoring help me love it more, for all that comes with it. In a season of burnout, where I struggled to know where to put my focus as pastor, Lee’s words and heart for the call revived me, and will continually. He is a hero to me from afar. I’m sorry for your loss, but trust you know the great comfort and peace of Christ in this time.
—Michael Hansen
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For many years I have appreciated Lee’s column in the Preaching Today newsletter. I found them uniquely insightful, at times challenging, and always encouraging. I will truly miss the value he added to my life and ministry. My prayer is that the Lord will comfort and strengthen those who knew him best.
—Richard Kauenhofen
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I started reading Lee’s weekly devotionals around 2020, and they were one of the main things God used to get me through that rough period of ministry. Beyond that period, Lee modeled simple eloquence in his Bible communication and showed me, through his devotionals, what it means to be a pastor. He gave words to what God has called me to do and helped keep ignited my love for God and my congregation. As his fellow “word worker” I am so glad that God brought Lee into my life.
—Bradley Crocker
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I’ve known Lee for more than 45 years. I first met him at North Suburban Evangelical Free Church in Deerfield, IL , while I was studying at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Our shared small town Free Church upbringings and love of singing connected us from the beginning. He was one of the two pastors who officiated the wedding of my wife and I.
Lee exhibited a consistent and deep love for the Lord, His church, and those who are called to serve as “shepherds of the flock of God.” Whenever I think of someone who exemplified a genuine “pastor’s heart” and a love for preaching, Lee is the one who comes to mind.
I was privileged to have kept a connection with Lee over the years and enjoyed multiple Zoom calls with him in the past couple of years. He was always interested in what was going on in my life and was an incredible encourager each time we talked. I’ll miss his smile and the encouragement that he brought into my life.
Lee proclaimed and lived the life changing gospel message that he is now fully experiencing in the presence of Jesus. It is that hope that keeps me looking forward to the day when I will see him again and we can join together to sing praises to our amazing Savior.
—Kevin Kompelien
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Lee and I had a circuitous path to our life stories. He was a professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School while I was in undergrad, and I took one of his pastoral counseling classes. His lessons stuck with me over the years, but when I ran into him in the coffee shop many years later (or, more accurately, when he came to investigate the books on my table to strike up a conversation), I couldn’t recall his face or his name.
We met regularly after that to discuss life, art, and faith, and I learned he was attending a church pastored by a dear friend. Not long after, I was looking at Lee on Zoom as I interviewed for a role at that very church. It was only in the candidating process that we realized we’d crossed paths before.
Lee had all of his students learn a phrase the very first day of class, insisting that we knew it and took it to heart, and making abundantly clear it would be on the final: “”Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.”” In discussing my time at Trinity, I mentioned this professor who, as I said to this dear sweet man, I was certain wasn’t him, but had us remember this phrase.
“”Shut up,”” he said, slightly laughing. “”That was me!””
Lee was disarming in the best way. He agreed to mentor me, and we met every month for several years, not including our Sundays worshipping together, or attending meetings or potlucks. In many ways, he’s a father in the faith for me, despite the relatively short time we had a direct relationship.
I will miss him dearly, and I will miss his honesty as he would lovingly provide feedback on sermon manuscripts. “”This is boring and unnecessary. Get to the point.”” And then after preaching that sermon, with a tender loving smile on his face, “”That’s how it’s done.””
The cafe at our church will be quieter, dimmer, and less filled with curiosity. We will no longer hear him lovingly unpack the mysteries of the faith, fueled by the Spirit. No longer will his voice ring out over the congregation in blessing as he sings a benediction over us. But he’s not done singing, and someday I hope to hear his voice, now fully glorified, as we sing praises in the presence of our Great King together.
—Michael Allen
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I came late to Lee’s column, even though I’ve been preaching in small churches for 35 years. I came across his column a couple years ago, but his words of encouragement to keep proclaiming the message of Christ have resonated in my spirit and I began anticipating his weekly wisdom. I keep many of them archived and return to them for refreshment. You could always tell he cared deeply for all the shepherds. Thankful for his life and ministry but also thankful that he is able to be with that Great Shepherd of the sheep, the Lord Jesus!
—Chris Lindley
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Lee was my professor at Denver Seminary. His pastoral advice was priceless. He encouraged us to think about heaven, read about heaven, pray about heaven, and sing about heaven when we’re going through difficult seasons. I was also struck by how deeply he cared for each of the students. He sent me a Facebook message two years after we met in order to ask where I moved to and what I was up to. His pastoral heart shaped me in powerful ways.
—Chad Lee
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Our entire pastoral care team was asked to read “Pastoral Graces“ by Lee. What a tremendous tool for anyone wanting to demonstrate the compassion of Jesus. Thank you, Lee!
—Jay Halley
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I met Lee through a CT Pastors online event. In our interactions before and after that event, he took an interest in what I was preaching and doing as a pastor. He demonstrated a great deal of care towards someone he only knew in the digital realm. I am grateful for his example.
—Mike Spinelli
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I only met him once, but I felt his impact deeply through his book, “Pastoral Graces”. He poured years of pastoral experience into its pages with a warm, conversational tone that made the wisdom both accessible and personal. As someone just beginning my journey as an associate pastor, his words were especially timely and encouraging.
—Sandeep Pasupuleti
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Knowing Lee from our mutual days at Trinity, to being candidates at the same churches, to serving on the EFCA boards, to leading a trip to Israel together just a few years back, to ongoing, and for me, enriching conversations and correspondence in the last few years, I remain indebted to my dear brother. I am shocked and truly saddened by his passing. His commitment to the flock and to the careful preaching of God’s word and his benedictions will remain a part of my life. Thanks be to God.
—Joe Bubr
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I came to Pastor Lee’s church after leaving a church very broken, he kindly put his arm around my shoulders saying this is a place to heal. Then years later, I found myself back at his church, only this time I was engaged to my now husband. He did our marriage counseling, and shepherded us well. All three of my children knew the kindness of him and Susan’s care. This fall would be the last time I saw him at a dear friend’s funeral. He shared with me a favorite book about Ireland, upon hearing my oldest is in Ireland. We shared a love of a good story, and good writing. His mark on my life is both deep and wide. I am forever grateful for a shepherd of the sheep whose life was deeply marked by Psalm 23. Rest in peace, Pastor Lee.
—Jill Shaw Tatevosian
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Like a good shepherd, our dear friend has gone before us into the presence of our Great Shepherd. By faith, we look forward to the day when we see him again, and God’s flock is fully and forever united.
—Greg Hollifield
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Thank you Pastor Lee. I will miss forwarding your inspiring weekly writings to the college Fathers and seminarians of the seminary college. May your soul rest in peace.
—Juliana Michael
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It started by looking for small nuggets of inspiration and encouragement, insights from other who love God’s others… one day I clicked on Lee E. while viewing CT’s editorial… and there he was, Lee, bright insightful words of wisdom and kindness began like a new morning of the Fathers’ rays from heaven, I’m gonna miss him.
—Allarry Daniels
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After years of reading Lee’s letters, I wrote to him to thank him for his ministry. He recognized my name, and knew of my ministry with pastors, and reached out to suggest we ‘e-meet.’ What a delightful conversation we had, sharing our stories of life as pastors and our mutual burden to encourage as many as we could. We subsequently had a number of more ‘e-visits,’ resulting in a growing friendship for which I was become so grateful. I so appreciated Lee’s honesty, integrity, ability to use words to paint vive pictures, his love for Jesus and Jesus’ undershephers. I will miss his care for the likes of me.
—Darrell Johnson
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I never met Pastor Lee Eclov in person – I met him through his weekly column “My Dear Shepherds.” I pastor a small church in Western Australia and first emailed him when one of his columns spoke deeply to me in a difficult time. I honestly didn’t expect a response, but emailed as I wanted him to know how much I appreciated his words and his encouragements. Pastor Lee responded within a day and I was further blessed by his interest.
It was evident in his writings that Pastor Lee truly understood what it felt like to ‘pastor in the trenches’ and that those experiences provided the grounds for the rich encouragement he offered to others. Our exchanges revealed a man of deep humility and gentleness – a true shepherd in every sense. I will miss receiving his weekly messages.
My deepest condolences to Pastor Lee’s wife and family.
—Carmel Wright (Pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church, Western Australia)
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Lee walked through the doors of our church during the COVID season. He had recently moved to Rockford, visited one church, and then everything shut down. He found us online and chose to connect with a small church in a difficult part of town.
From the beginning, Lee was warm, engaging, and generous with encouragement. I felt an immediate kinship with him. He and Susan chose to stay, even though there were many larger, more prominent churches in our area. He chose instead to invest in me and in our church, and at the time, I had no idea how profoundly that decision would shape my life and our congregation.
I had just restarted my academic work and needed to meet weekly with a pastor for about eight weeks. Those meetings turned into nearly four years. Week after week, we sat together talking about ministry, theology, preaching, and life. Lee sharpened my thinking, refined my words, and, more than anything, shaped my heart. He became a spiritual father to me. We prayed together, laughed often, and at times wept. His influence on me is immeasurable.
During those same years, our church was navigating significant change, merging with two other congregations. Lee and Susan became intentional bridge builders. Through quiet conversations, genuine friendships, and steady presence, they helped weave us together. Nearly everyone in our church has a “Lee story.” How he had touched their lives with pastor wisdom, care, and grace. He saw people, pursued them, and loved them well. The Lord used him to strengthen not only me, but our entire church.
The day I learned of his passing is one I will never forget. Just an hour before the call came, I had received final word that my doctoral project, something Lee had encouraged and guided me through, was complete. He was the first person I wanted to call. Instead, I received the news that he was gone. The loss was immediate and profound. We had so many plans, so many conversations yet to have.
I am still grieving the loss of my faithful friend, pastor, mentor, and brother. I miss his pastoral gentleness, his sparkling eyes, his quick wit, and his steady, tender strength. Lee is now home, in the place prepared for him by Jesus in the Father’s house. I continue on the path he helped shape, committed to stewarding well the investment he made in my life and in our church, with deep gratitude for the gift of Lee to me and to so many others.
—Dave Spooner, Lead Pastor, Crosspoint Church, Rockford, Illinois
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I appreciated his Godly approach and practical advice and open heart with which he wrote. His approach was very much like he was there with you personally. I printed his messages and put them in a notebook so I can have them for future reading. He was a true Shepherd and his love for Jesus was easily felt. He will be missed.
—Buell Fogg
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I was blessed to know this man in only a small way. As a small town pastor I looked forward to his articles. But I also had the opportunity to have a private conversation with this man over the phone. I felt honored that he would take time for that engagement. He had passion and encouraged all of us small church pastors to continue with our passion. The passion of being in community and sharing the Gospel of Jesus, all while being sure to feed our own souls. Until we meet again, thank you, Lee.
—Tom Herzog
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