Ronald J. Sider

I teach missions in a seminary in Manitoba (or did until retirement). I have often turned to Ron's writing to explain what I was trying to say. I also remember arguing with him when I was a student at Messiah. We had only limited contact throughout our lives, but he was one of the most important influences in my life. Our (my wife and mine) prayers for the family, and our gratitude for God's presence in Ron's life.

As Joni Mitchell famously sang in a popular song during our time together at the Philadelphia Campus "don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got til it's gone"? Ron's passing gave me pause to think about his strong influence on my thinking about Christianity based on our discourse in his Contemporary Theology course. I'm only now appreciating the impact he had on my views and my life. Ron, your teaching lives on through the lives of your students. You will still be a force to be reckoned with, even after moving to the next world. Your positive energy lives on in each of us.

Arbutus, I share your grief at losing your husband, a man dedicated to all that was right and now resting safely with Jesus.