Posted on 07/04/2003 5:44:57 PM PDT by since1868
Larry Burkett
Following a long and courageous battle with cancer and heart disease, Larry Burkett completed his journey of serving the Lord Jesus Christ on this earth. Having battled cancer and heart attacks for the past several years, God called Larry into His presence at 3 am on July 4th.
To say that he will be missed is a huge understatement. Larry was truly loved by all those whose lives he touched; his family, his friends and his ministry partners. He lived a life of Christian kindness and genuine humility. He was always extraordinarily generous.
Steve Moore, Crown’s radio co-host who spent so much time with Larry, related something that revealed a great deal about Larry. He said that while answering callers’ questions during Crown’s Money Matters program, Larry’s compassion was so evident. Listeners could not see, but could feel, his concern and even his tears for them.
One of the central principles Larry taught is that we don’t really own things; we are simply stewards and managers of what God has entrusted to us. In Larry’s case, that included the ministry he founded.
In 1971, Larry gave his life to Jesus Christ and committed to follow wherever the Lord would lead and to boldly teach the life-changing truths of Scripture. And he did this with all his might.
In 1973, Dr. Bill Bright invited Larry and Judy to join the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ. Here he counseled the staff, many of whom were struggling financially, on how to handle money God’s way.
In 1976, he founded Christian Financial Concepts. He poured his life into serving the Lord through this ministry. He loved the ministry, he loved his staff, and he genuinely loved the people who looked to the ministry for help.
Larry was a prolific writer. Authoring more than 70 books including several best sellers. Larry’s radio program was carried on more than 1,000 stations in the United States.
When God prompted Larry to turn over the leadership of the ministry, he never hesitated. I will never forget the first time we met to seriously discuss the merger of CFC and the old Crown Ministries. Larry stood and extended his tightly closed fists. Then he said, “My greatest fear in life is standing before the Lord and hearing Him say, ‘I had so much more for you, but you held on too tightly.’ That’s why I want us to merge. Together we can accomplish so much more for the building of God’s kingdom than we could separately.” Many times he said that the decision to merge was the best decision he ever made.
His greatest desire was to see Crown Financial Ministries fulfill its God-given vision of teaching 30 million people in America and 300 million around the world to handle money God’s way.
As he told us, “This ministry is not my invention; it exists because of a calling from God. I’m not alarmed at the thought of Crown’s future without me. I recognized that it was crucial to put in place leadership that can carry on and even expand this ministry. And God has been faithful to bring Crown a godly capable leadership team. God has used Crown wonderfully in past. May He use us in the future to help train millions of God’s people—even after the Lord calls me home.”
I believe the impact of Larry’s life will continue as future generations apply the biblical truth taught by Crown. And, God will be glorified through the ministry Larry began, one that continues by His grace.
Please join us in praying for his dear wife, Judy and their four children: Allen, Kim, Danny, and Todd. Judy and Larry were married for 44 years, and this will be an enormous transition for her.
Judy has asked that memorial gifts be given to Crown Financial Ministries in lieu of flowers.
We have no doubt that our Lord has already welcomed Larry with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). We rejoice for him while at the same time we deeply miss him. Yet, we look forward to a glorious reunion with him and the Lord he loved and so faithfully served.
Love in Christ,
Howard Dayton, CEO Luke 16:11
Well done, good and faithful servant Burkett.
I know what you mean. I'd frequently hear him on the local Christian station and wish I'd heard him twenty years earlier.
They are sound, sure and reap all kinds of good things :)
Very thankful we are, to this man and his Christian service.
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