Wayne Anderson Tribute

I used to attend the youth meetings for High School at Park Street church in the mid 70s. That group gave me such a feeling of belonging and some lifelong friends. Wayne's teaching is what I always will remember - I hung on every word. Those retreats were so much fun, especially the week long college retreat at Gordon-Comwell, just before entering college. I found my singing voice on that retreat! I lost my speaking voice while playing sports but I could still sing to the Lord! The music was so much fun and it really developed my voice such that I have used it since then to serve the Lord. I have fond memories of those days and Wayne was a big part of them.

Wayne's message of Grace has been a life change for me and for all of us. I hope to continue his message throughout the rest of my life.

Wayne became the interim pastor of my church, Voyagers Bible Church, after the dismissal of a previous pastor in 1993. Wayne's presence brought healing to the congregation and specifically to me since I had just come to VBC that year after my father's death on Easter Sunday, and after a rather messy "church split" which was filled with dissension at our former church. I have been privileged to serve as Wayne’s liaison with our missions team since 1998 after returning from my first short term trip to India and Nepal. Wayne was my number one encourager in that decision.

Wayne was truly a "Gift from God" to our Voyagers family. I remember his recurring theme, God's abundant grace! He never tired of preaching and teaching God's Word, particularly as it related to the Grace of God which not only saves us, but sustains us. His words still echo in my ears: "Just as I am saved by grace, so I live by grace, serve by grace, and lead by grace."

It's still hard to believe that he is no longer physically with us. It's been three weeks now since his death; and as I walk into church, I still find myself glancing over to where he usually sat, expecting to see him there, and knowing that, after the service, I would receive one of his big hugs. Although I am comforted to know that he is in the loving arms of Jesus, the Savior about whom he joyously professed, I will miss Wayne dearly.

This week, we have been able to edit and upload an audio recording (MP3) of the memorial service at Voyagers Bible Church for Wayne. We've also uploaded 67 photos taken by a professional photographer at the event. These are available at:

http://www.tli.cc/anderson/

Just click on "California memorial service" to be taken to the right area of our website.

I met Wayne at Christmastime in 1967. Shortly thereafter, i went through a time of testing of my faith. Ocasionaly I wouold go up to Boston to hear him preach at Ruggles Street. He would always ask how things were going and tell me God loved me no matter what! It was that extension of God's grace I credit with keeping my faith. When I began to come back on track, he invited me to Seekers at Parik Street and the years there under his leadership gave my faith roots in the Word and time alone with God that have grown deeper throughout the rest of my lifel

I went to Westgate for several years before moving to California.. Wayne was a pastor you could sit under for years and continue to grow in your faith and love walk with God. He was also a good friend and gave advice and encouragement at crucial times of decisdion-making.

He is not dead... he lives on in our hearts, lives, actions and ministries because of his discipling and example and love. He is rejoicing in heaven with the saints he loved that went on before him and we are grateful and blessed for having known him down here!

Wayne Anderson is dead. I think not...and no, this is not just blatant denial just because I am too far away to process my loss with others who loved Wayne. No, I felt it all. Shock. Pain. Loss. Grief. This is not the kind of message one should ever receive via email...
But in a very real way I believe that Wayne is not dead and that he will continue to live on. I know he will live in me and here are some of the ways:
He will live on each time I get the privilege of sharing with an individual or a group about my GraceQuest and how it was ignited by this man.
He will live on in the little community I pastor in Aix-en-Provence, France as we attempt to live out our value of grace - trying to understand, experience and extend grace to each other, out community and our world.
He will live on in the way I lead staff meetings. In my memories of sitting with BJ and Mike at Voyagers on our intimate times of discovering. In the way I choose books. In the way I sign my letters. In the way I disciple young rowdy rebel mavericks. In the way I interact with people who are in process and as I remember that I too am still in process...
He will live on as I continue to live out my calling to be a pastor as it was Wayne who first told me that he believed that this was God's calling for the next step of my life.
So, I can accept the fact that Wayne is gone from this world and that he is wrapped in an embrace that is saturating his soul on God's unadulterated grace.
But I cannot accept the fact that he is dead.
No.
He will live on...as you and I continue our own GraceQuests and invite everyone we know to journey with us!