This week I’ve been given a poignant reminder that there is, as Ecclesiastes assures us, “a time to die.” Two men who have been influential in our ministry have recently gone to their heavenly residence. Though they are absent from the earth, they spent their lives here investing in the Kingdom and Noble Warriors.
Steve Farrar
In 2010, I met the man who had mentored me since the early days of my marriage, and he didn’t even know he was doing it.
Stacy and I were newly married when we visited a college Baptist Collegiate Ministry (formerly BSU) friend of hers in Detroit. It was one of our first trips as a married couple, and Gordon and Joan were a few years ahead of us. Gordon told me that some men in his church had introduced him to Point Man. The book had helped him understand his biblical role and responsibility as a husband who should follow Jesus’ example by loving and leading sacrificially. I came home and bought it right away.
Steve Farrar discipled me in the pages of that first copy. Since then, I’ve read, marked up, and given away multiple copies of Point Man. I recommend it frequently and continue to apply Steve’s wisdom in my own life. Many of his other books have blessed me as well: King Me, Finishing Strong, How to Ruin Your Life by 40, and others have shaped my life and ministry. His encouragement to rely on “timely provision from heaven” in Manna: When You’re Out of Options, God Will Provide continues to strengthen both Stacy and me in this walk of faith that is Noble Warriors.
Steve joined us as a keynote speaker for our 2010 Iron Sharpens Iron Conference in Richmond, and I finally met the man whose work helped guide my marriage, family, life, and ministry. I needed his help, and it was a joy to have him minister to me and many others here in Richmond!
Steve passed away this week at the age of 73, but he was still preaching and planting seeds of faith in others even a few short weeks before.
Jerry Wyngaard
Jerry Wyngaard has been a friend of Noble Warriors from the beginning. He was at our first Iron Sharpens Iron Conference in 2007 and even helped with logistics. He and his wife Candy helped run the “Couples Olympics” at our Couple’s Adventure Dates in 2007 and 2008.
Jerry didn’t just come to learn and absorb for himself. He took what he had received and poured it back into others. He dove into Men’s Fraternity early on, and he leveraged the resources he discovered through Noble Warriors to launch a robust ministry to men in Virginia prisons.
While we are sad that the time of his departure has come, we are thankful for his legacy of ministry and partnership.
These two men ran through the finish line in life. The Lord has called his servants home, but the seeds of discipleship they faithfully planted in others will continue to grow.
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:6-8
One of Steve Farrar’s final messages to men was on Wednesday, January 31, 2022, at Stonebriar Community Church. You can listen to it here: When You’re Blown Off Course. Steve’s books are still relevant and impactful. If you’ve never read Point Man. Order a copy today. Better yet, order two copies and read it with another guy. Resolve right now to run through the finish line and leave a legacy of discipleship with your life.