CHURCH, Pastor Barrett James Passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on July 21, 2012 at the Bowmanville Hospital in his 80th year. Beloved husband of Elizabeth (Dunn), and loving father to James (Starla) Church, David (Holly) Church, Shelly (Derek) Rymarchuk, Tammy (Thomas) Breeden, Calvin (Joycelyn) Church and Papa to 15 grandchildren: Breana, Janelle, Macy, & Savannah Church, Adriene, Davis, and Barrett Church, Devon, Luke, and Kristen Rymarchuk, Marissa and Ben Breeden, Hailey, Cade, and Ella Church. He is survived by his brothers Harold (Bonnie) Church, Steve Church, Bill (Jerry) Church, Brent (Connie) Church, Tim (Janet) Church, and Step Brothers, Stanley (Joy) Zwicker and Wayne (Charlene) Zwicker and his sister Germaine Cormier. He is predeceased by his first wife Charlotte Church (Bowe) and his brother Frank Church, as well as his sister Margaret McKellar. Rev. Church was the Pastor of the United Pentecostal Church of Oshawa for 48 years and served in many different capacities within the District, National and International offices of the United Pentecostal Church International. He was a beloved and faithful minister and will be sadly missed by his many family, friends and Church congregation members. The family will be receiving friends on Tuesday, July 24 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday, July 25 from 11:00 a.m. until the Memorial Service which will begin at 1:00 p.m. The visitation and service will be at Truth Sanctuary UPC, 700 Ritson Rd. N., Oshawa. Interment Mount Lawn Memorial Gardens, Whitby. Memorial donations to the Barrett James Church Memorial Truth Sanctuary Expansion Fund can be made by cheque to UPC of Oshawa. Online condolences may be made at www.makfuneralhome.com or contact McINTOSH-ANDERSON-KELLAM-FUNERAL HOME, 152 King St. E., Oshawa (905-433-5558). Condolences Jul 23, 2012 Carrie Seguin Praying for you all. Sorry for your loss. Bro Church was a great man, with a great vision who touched many lives. Jul 23, 2012 Brother & Sister Kinney Our thoughts and prayers are with you through this difficult time. Brother Church was a wonderful Christian always reaching out to others. I remember the first time I stood behind the pulpit on 320 Ritson Road South. The words that I saw on the pulpit have never left me over 46 years "Sirs we would see Jesus!" This was a testimony of his life. Glrn & Julia Goodine
out sympathy and prayers are with you today... Theresa & Richard Rodrigue "Money's not your problem, folks". Bro. Church was a man of great faith and vision. There is a church in Iqaluit, Nunavut today because of his obedience to the calling God placed upon his life to go to Oshawa and preach the gospel. Only eternity will reveal the full result of his obedience. He instilled that same faith and vision in my life and I will forever appreciate him and miss him. We shall meet again one day, on the streets of glory! Lloyd Kierstead My sincere condolences the Sis Church and all the Church family. Bro Church will certainly be missed by all who knew him. I've had the privilidge of knowing him since teen age years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this very difficult time David and Lisa Mills We can only try to understand the pain and suffering the family is going through with the passing of a great and noble man. You will be missed. Rest assured he is in the lords hands right now. Sorry we cannot be there. Bro. & Sis. A. B rewer Bro. Church was a friend to many and to ourselves. He had a unique faith, a unique way of dealing with situations, and a unique sense of humor. It is hard to believe that B.J. is no longer with us, but his influence will certainly live on. "He being dead yet speaketh" (Hebrews 11:4). Troy Brown My first vivid memory of Brother Church was riding in the Orland Camp truck when I was only 15 years old. Bro Kierstead on one side and Bro Church on the other giving this young preacher-boy some ministry advice. Every conversation with him was always caring and meaningful. He had a love for souls and the work of God. More talks to come on the other shore!
Everett & Lois Corcoran May God be with each of the immediate family and church family during this time of sorrow. Brother Church was a friend of many years. Bro. & Sister Bilson It was a blessing crossing path with you on the pilgrimage through this world. Thank you for picking up our boys for Bible Quizzing practice on countless occasions. Rest in peace, and hoping to see you someday when our own journey ends. Terry Milton Brother Church was the most giving man I have ever met, you were hard pressed to follow him when he was on a mission, he was not afraid of hard work and he always exampled a man of God. His humour was like no other, and he had characteristics that could always bring a smile to your face, especially in regard to some of the dialogue between him and Bro. Phillips. A man of faith and a fighter who encouraged you to dream big for God, and yet be humble enough to clean the commodes. I count it an honour and a privilege to have been mentored by both he and Sister Charlotte Church. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and all those that dearly loved Bro. Church. He truly was one of a kind. There are hundreds, if not thousands, that have benefited from his hard work and passion for souls...another soldier and pioneer in our district gong home...he fought a good fight...an icon that will be greatly missed! Tina Gravelle To the entire family, and Sis Beth and Tammy in particular (since I I know you best) - please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of your very special loved one (our Brother Church) - someone who was loved and respected by not only the entire Ontario District, but by people throughout North America.Thinking about you and praying for you in the time of your bereavement. Thank Jesus we have the hope of our calling and will meeting someday on that beautiful shore. God bless. Pasteur Paul and Melissa Majdling Dear Beth, entire Church family and Oshawa church family : we are thinking and praying for you all that the peace of God that passes all understanding be in your hearts and minds, as well as the comfort that comes from the Comforter - Jesus. Bro. Church has been such an inspiration to us personally. AMI would not have been the Bible school it was without him! He freely gave of his time to leave a Christian leadership legacy. Thank you, Bro. Church - "Merci"! You had a big part in our getting married :-). Until we meet again...in Heaven! Love, the Majdlings, Bordeaux, France.
Linda and Dr. Lenga Sincerest condolences on behalf of Dr. Lenga and myself. Friends at Halenda's Meats Pastor Church will be missed. We will remember your family in prayer at this time. Judy Morrison & the morrison family Sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you. Warren & Linda Shalm Our thoughts and prayers to all the family. Thanks for letting us share the memories of times we spent together. Deborah Haroun One of my earliest memories of Brother Church was of him praying under that old afghan in their family room at 769 Cambridge Court in the middle of the night. Then he'd hear us girls upstairs giggling and come up to tell us a bedtime story with those big hands waving to give emphasis. He would cuddle first one and then the other of his girls under his arm. Then often one or two or three of his boys would hear him from the other attic room and come in for a tumble type of hug from him as well. He never tired of spending time with his 5 children and their friends. Now that I think about it, I actually am recalling him allowing the kids to jump from the boys bunk beds thru a little window, down into their bed at the old parsonage at 320 Ritson. Poor Sister Church couldn't keep her bed neat and tidy, we were always messing it up. Both of them were people of prayer, love for the word, love for their kids and their kids friends, love for people in general, love for the work of God, love for the church, love for the church Internationally and so much more. Had so many wonderful prayer meetings at their house (yeah often after a lecture because we'd all made a mess or gotten in trouble again, but always after the lecture & discipline came a time of prayer and then hugs, and then always FOOD to make it all better). It was so great to be a part of such a larger-than-life family circle. Spent most New Year's Days in that big family circle (which was never "just family") and enjoying games, jigsaw puzzles, magic tricks, and so much more. I could go on forever, just reaching back a long way for some of this stuff today. I could write ten books or more to say it all. Thank you Brother & Sister Church for being such a big part of my life. Thank you for getting me through some of the biggest trials, painful hurts, deepest valleys. Thank you for sharing laughter, tears, hearts, friendship, love, and on and on.
Love you all so much, keeping on praying for you all as the memories flood and the stark reality of your loss hits at the oddest moments in the weeks and months to come. I'm here, let me know if and when I'm ever needed. Love, Deborah Bro & Sis Nixon So sorry to hear about the passing of Bro Church.Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. Aug 13, 2012 Angela Mitchell I am so sorry to hear about his passing. This man was more than just a paster to my family, he was my father's best friend. He was there for my family and supported us through all out traumatic events. His passing is truly a loss to the community. I am so very sorry that I am just learning of his passing today. RIP BJ In Gods hands we trust. Aug 24, 2012 Samia Thanks for the great info dog I owe you bgigtiy.