Bruce Woods

Dear Mark and loved ones,
I was searching for copies of Wuest's Word Studies in The Greek New Testament and saw your father's face in the search ribbon. I recognized him right away. Your father was always kind but unrelenting in his energy to help others. I know you all miss him deeply into the core of your being. What a wonderful assurance that it is not our strength but that our faith our trust the full weight of our dependence is on Jesus of Nazareth who lived in full humanity being fully God. He died and rose up from death. And I am His. Your dad is His. And we live toward that moment when we will be with Christ, together forever.

I am so sorry I did not get to go to the service but I did watch it online. Pastor Woods was an amazing man and had helped me as a new believer become established. I always appreciated his sense of humour his willingness to listen and answer my unorthodox questions about God and the Christian life. He will be greatly missed.

Bruce had a great, big, warm smile. Years ago, I served as a youth pastor in the congregation where Bruce worshiped. Before I took up a charge at another congregation, Bruce shared a couple New Testament commentaries with me (1st Peter - Kenneth Wuest / Galatians - G. G. Findlay). He didn't expect to see them returned. Since then, the two books have received some serious page-turning. He reminded me to never loose the passion for serving Christ and to be sure to give folks something to take home at the end of the worship service. I have carried those simple words with me every day these past 10 years since last we met. Thanks Bruce ... and thank you Jesus.

It was a surprise on one of my first Sundays filling in as interim minister at the Ancestor CRC in 2012, to hear a hearty " Amen!" cascading from one of the pews when I made a point in a sermon. Reformed folk tend to be subdued in worship. Not this Baptist! Afterwards a huge grin, under a gorgeous shock of white hair, and a firm handshake, greeted me in the lobby. I had encountered Bruce Woods. We met for breakfast regularly that interim year and shared insights, and stories. He delighted in coaching me on how to self-publish a book. It was a blessing to have known him - and his family. " Ever full of vigour and green" was how Psalm 92:14 describes him and those blessed like him. Thank You Lord for the gift he was - and the memories he leaves us to cherish

A very special man who always put others first. His dedication the Lord's ministry will be sorely missed. My condolences to Joan and the family. God's speed Pastor Bruce.