Barry and his wife Darlene at their 50th Class Reunion
I vividly remember the phone call that Sunday morning one year ago today. “Dad had a heart attack and is on his way to the Hospital”. Then moments later the second call…“ Lee, dad didn’t make it, he died”. We are never prepared for “that” call.
Barry Becker was more than my best friend. He was my son in the faith. I
At International School Evangelism in Pontiac Michigan
baptized him into Christ. He was my student at International School of Evangelism for two years. He left a promising profession with his wife and four children to move to Michigan on a wing and a prayer to study and prepare to preach. And preach he did. Soon after graduation he would give birth to a new church in his home. Our family would join the work he began a few years later in
Store Front Meeting Place in 1980
August of 1980 and work with the new Hanover Church of Christ. After our family left some 12 years later, Barry would preach for the Hanover church until his sudden death one year ago today. Barry was a great supporter of Hope Springs International (then Arewa Aid Inc.), and was one of our Board Members. He and Darlene visited our work in Nigeria in its infancy. What is know as Hope Springs International today was actually founded by his youngest daughter and son in law Jennifer and Brad Blake.
Over the last year there have been so many times I wanted to pick up the phone,
Barry preaching in Tema, Ghana West Africa.
as I had done in the past, and share a personal struggle or joy. We both had done that for so many years. I miss those conversations so much.
This will be a tough day for Barry’s children. Barry’s wife and their mother Darlene is being cared for in an Alzheimer care facility as they experience the hardest of all anniversaries. Join me in prayer for Chris Becker, Becky (Shawn) Fleming, Mark (Deena) Becker and Jennifer (Brad) Blake and all the Grand Children as they remember.
One year ago today Barry went to be with Jesus. I would not bring him back for all the money in the world. He has received the promised reward that he lived for all those years I knew him. He was a faithful child of God who led many to Christ until Father called him home. I am so blessed to have known him.
Miss you brother. See you soon!
Hope Springs International 