The last blog entry here announced the sudden home-going of Rev. David Virkler on January 23rd, 2012. It was a glorious day in heaven and especially for him. But it was not so wonderful for those he left behind – despite the knowledge of where he now resides and what he is experiencing forever. That great reality and assurance is firmly based on passages in God’s word, like that seen in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
Dave left behind a faithful and dedicated wife who shared in, and often sacrificed for, his ministry. He also left, for a while, four fine Christian children along with five grandchildren and two children-in-law. Then, too, there were others to whom he was family. He was my own wife’s very special uncle and has been a part of her life since birth. And, of course, there remains even more extended family living at a distance now that will miss him as well.
Dave was saved at age 14. According to his Bible college roommate, my own father-in-law and Dave’s own brother-in-law, Dave had the anointing of God and superior spiritual gifts even before he entered Bible college in North Jersey. I’ve heard many times how he could preach at age 20 like he did at age 75. That is not typical. It is special. It is miraculous and comes only through a special gift of God bestowed upon a willing and gifted servant. Some are gifted but unwilling. But Dave was both from the start. He served as a pastor before feeling led of God to begin the ministry seen on the website link on this blog. www.wordandtheworld.org. The impact of 55 years of ministry cannot be known this side of heaven. But his example as a spiritual leader and role model can be easily seen without having to look very far.
Dave’s life verse was Acts 13:36. "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers.” Truer words were never spoken. He did this tirelessly, faithfully and with great distinction. He will be missed by many and especially by those who lived with him, were related to him and had the great opportunity to work alongside of him.
But there is one thing I would like to add and it was the conclusion of my short part of his service this past Saturday. It was an amazing service for an amazing man of God. I quoted his life verse as many have over the last week or so about him serving his generation. But that is far from the end of the story. Dave’s legacy extends far beyond the service to “his own generation”. It also reflects and extends to the words from the Apostle Paul to young Timothy, his young son in the faith. 2 Timothy 2:3 declares, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
Dave endured hardship along with many of God’s ‘soldier servants’. But his ministry legacy and impact continues to touch and change lives as long as those he taught and inspired do the same to the current generation and the next.
Dave’s was a life well lived for God. And again he continues to affect countless lives through his personal ministry and the professional outreach of Dedication Evangelism and the Word and The World broadcast. This is why we can say with complete confidence that Dave’s example was one worth imitating, just as Paul stated about his own life of total surrender and faithful service to his own generation. Because he followed God’s will and effectively used his talents and time for God’s glory, as did David Virkler, he was able to write with full confidence, “Therefore I urge you, imitate me.” (1 Corinthians 4:15-16)
Dave, we all pray that we can somehow imitate your ‘Dedication’ to ‘Evangelism'.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Mathew 25:23)
Bill,
Your friend, family, and fellow-servant in this ministry.
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