Rod Fick, lead evangelist of the Port Elizabeth Church of Christ (ICOC South Africa) died tragically this morning, Monday, 19th November 2007. He had been suffering from severe depression and had been undergoing treatment for this condition. His doctors were satisfied with his progress and he was released from hospital last Thursday. He accompanied his wife and children to a family function in Johannesburg, which was held over the weekend. Unfortunately while he was there, he had a relapse and committed suicide early this morning by shooting himself.
The Port Elizabeth Church of Christ congregation is devastated by his tragic death. Members of the congregation gathered together this Monday evening, where they were officially informed of the details of Rod's death as well as the funeral arrangements. It will be held in Johannesburg this weekend. A second service will be held in Port Elizabeth in two week's time. A Christian psycologist was present at the meeting and he encouraged members to express their feelings. Several members shared their feelings of guilt, sadness, anger and shock while others shared their gratitude and love for him.
In the last year the leaders of the Port Elizabeth Church of Christ have had different views on how the church should move forward. Rod was asked to go on a sabbatical. The resulting conflict no doubt added pressure.
Rod is survived by his wife and two children.
Commentary by Sarel de Wet—©2006. A former member (1990-2000) of the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) in South Africa. Commentary concerns McKeanism discipleship of the pro-McKean faction, officially known as the International Christian Churches (ICC) and anti-McKean faction, officially known as the ICOC Co-Operation Churches a.k.a. International Churches of Christ (ICOC).
19 comments:
Thank you for posting this, and I am going to pray for this family. So incredibly tragic.
Where did you get this info?
To all.
I knew Rodd Fick personally since 1997.
I was a member of the Port Elizabeth Church of Christ. My wife and I left the ICOC in 2000 due to doctrinal issues and problems concerning those who led the Port Elizabeth Church of Christ congregation at the time.
I was present at Monday evening's meeting (last night). The info is authentic.
Port Elizabeth is my home town. It is located in South Africa. It's a harbour city on the Eastern coast. The Port Elizabeth Church of Christ was officially launched from efforts by the Cape Town Church of Christ in 1993. However, this church existed since 1990.
The Port Elizabeth Church of Christ membership is about 100. Rod Fick became this church first evangelist in the year 2000. A few months ago this year, he was asked to go on a sabbatical. He suffered from severe depression and received extensive medical treatment. The Port Elizabeth Church of Christ is a church in transition. Details about their new direction are not clear.
The news of his death and circumstances surrounding the PE congregation troubles me a great deal.
More updates will be posted concerning the death of Rod Fick .
Sarel de Wet
What is the stand of the church with regards to a person taking their own life?
As I'm going to the UK for the next month I will not be at church when this will be addressed.
Please post a comment with regards to this matter on the web-page.
I'm sorry to hear about the great loss and will pray for the family.
Alot of my brothers and sisters know them. I personally do not but our prayers are with this family
As a member of the church, I don't really have a "stand" on most issues because it can always depend: on the situation, interpration, preconceived ideas, my stage in life, you, me! I therefore think it can actually be quite narrow-minded to have a fixed, universal stand on controversial issues. After all, isn't it our God's "law" that mercy triumph over judgement or sacrifice?
But that's just me, at this point...
So in this situation, MY opinion is that it is simply a horrific TRAGEDY: I think that medication (& his biochemicals) must have played a large role coz it is clear to me that Rod was out of his normal state of mind. As someone who knew Rod very dearly, he was someone who lived for & loved the Lord wholehearedly! So I say: "Lord, receive his spirit!" and "Father, forgive him for he knew not what he did"!
I, however, cannot speak much because I don't live in PE anymore and therefore only have distant, sporadic or indirect contact...
Lastly, to all my fellow grievers I'd like to dedicate 1 Cor.15:50-58
Grace, Love & Peace to all!
I was deeply saddened when I received news of Rod's unfortunate departure...
I lost track of him when we got out of school, and often have wondered where he was and how things were going for him. Rod lived (2) doors down from us and we became good friends. He was always very competitive and loved to run even when we were growing up, but his true love at that time was hockey. He and I would catch a ride from our parents or walk some distance to the rink to play ice hockey. My brother Tom, Rod & I would play street hockey on our street in Syracuse for hours and hours after school, well into the evening.
Rod and I met in a who's the tougher guy situation in our front yard, I've always laughed about it later on and tell the story many times - it's something you never forget - we had a mutual respect for each other from then on, and became good friends.
Once we graduated we went off in (2) different directions. I have tried to search for him several times online, but never thought I had the right guy. It's no wonder and no surprise now that I think about it that he would somehow end up in South Africa to be of so much help to you all.
I would like to extend my condolences to his family.
He was a great friend to many of us back here who grew up with him in our neighborhood. I am sure in some ways, the person you know him as, as an adult, is much different than the kid I knew. He was always the one to put a smile on our face and willing to have a great time with.
Remember him for the wonderful person he was to all of us.
With Love & Godspeed,
Edward Amidon Jr. & Family
Syracuse, New York - USA
I have been asked by several of Rod's friends to try to better understand what happen to Rod. This caught a lot of people by surprise and they are shocked. Does anyone know the conflict at the Church at PE that people continue to mention? Why was Rod asked to take time off from the Church? Does anyone have the name of the doctor who treated Rod? Unfortunately none of these anwsers will be able to bring Rod back but it will at least be able to let people better understand what he was going throught and dealing with so they can reach some closure.
I knew Rod. He was the most positive and loving guy I ever met. That is how I remember and will continue to remember him. Thanks for the basketball game buddy, it nearly broke my leg. We will all miss you.
Sarel - your presence at the meeting on Monday evening was clearly not motivated by your so called "...troubles me a great deal." You simply do not care about the people, and the hearts, and the real issues. You are driven by this blogsite and your obession with the ICOC and the mistakes, and, and, and. This has simply become another "newspaper" with the normal sensationalistic bent. It is sad really. If you really want to help people, then why don't you link up with the local PE congregation and assit them to move on - to a better place? Do you truly believe that you are doing Rod's honour and his dignity and his wife and kids any good here? You may as well be a journalist from the sordid Sun Newspaper. It is your right of course. And no doubt you will continue to excercise your right.
For those that are truly interested in finding out the truth about Rod - why don't you make an effort to contact his friends in PE, or his family. You will most certainly not get the truth of teh matter on this blog.
It's perhaps best for me not to comment wholly on everything said here. I'll respond in due time.
But to state I "simply do not care about the people, and the hearts, and the real issues" is untrue.
That I abuse Monday night for sensationalism - untrue.
That I am "driven by this blogsite" and the many "ands" - it's true!
I hope one day my friend we will link up and assist each other to move the PE congregation - to a better place!
For now, this blog, has become an outpouring of people hearts for Rod. Most importantly. Rod's friends from the US. Welcome. Thank You So Much! It's simply amazing. He touched so many peoples hearts.
And to you - again - who responded and read about this terrible ordeal - thank you for letting Rod know your feelings.
We strive with all our hearts to report truthfully at icoccommentary. We understand the importants to speak freely.
It is sad to see that many people in the ICOC are still not willing to change and are there to protect the evils of the church at whatever costs. Sarel thanks so much for being in the meeting and leting us know what is happening in the ICOC. The death of Rod and the way he died is something that we need to know and something we need to ALL learn from. The reason "anonymous" you feel Sarel was there for other reasons is because in the ICOC you have labelled the people who left the ICO, and when things like these happened in their lives you were so quick to say it was God being angry with them. Life is life and we are suppose to take it the way it comes. Rod had no answers, and what does that say to you - as a person who has been led by him - You also have no answers - just be humble. The ONLY thing that is still lacking in the ICOC person is humility to say " I Do not know".
Who has been in charge of the PE Church while Rod was on leave? I would love to have a contact and email or phone number.
Herewith the link for any one who like to contact the PE Church direct
It is with great sadness that I read the barrage of negative comments surrounding this tragic event. None of your bloggers indicate any knowledge of the process that the PE Church is going through - a process that would have made things easier for Rod, rather than more stressful. In addition to this, comments are made that we are unwilling to admit to mistakes, never willing or able to say "We don't know" or "We were wrong". Clearly, people making these comments haven't spoken to anyone in the church, because these are merely sensationalist statement that bear no resemblance to the truth. If your intention is to abuse God's name to make destructive, negative comments that harm instead of helping, continue, because you're doing a sterling job. If, however, you care whether or not God's will be done, please be humble enough to seek the facts before making sensational, headline-grabbing comments. Rod was dearly loved and respected in PE and all those making these misguided and blatantly false statements are dishouring his memory. So, when you try to refute what I'm saying, please include the names of the people you've spoken to within the last 3 months, who have been unwilling to admit to mistakes and please include the details of the process that the PE Church is going through, since you're making comments about it.
Ultimately, as Christians, our purpose is to glorify God. I pray that all of us will do so.
As a member of the church, i would like to thank GOD for allowing us the priveledge of knowing someone like Rod. His heart that resembled Christ, his love and sincerity for all kinds of people was incredible. Truly Rod was a servant of Christ, as a black sister i never felt discriminated once by Rod, he knew GOD in his heart, he feared GOD in his actions(Rod was always the only white guy in black people's homes and funeral). May we all learn from him and forget to focus on his passing. We all are going to die one day, nobody knows how...but what remains is we will leave this world, whether being killed by a lion or by an accident, it does not matter what matters is the trace that we leave behind...(to Rod's Wife and Kids, may you treasure the wonderful times that GOD Blessed you with your husband and dad) ROD FINISHED THE RACE
TO GOD BE THE GLORY AND MAY HIS SOULD REST IN PEACE, LOTS OF LOVE PAULINE
Rod was one of the most genuine souls around. His brilliant smile that made a day brighter will for ever be etched im my memory.
To all of Rods' family: May God hold you in his arms and the beautiful memories of Rod help to comfort you.
From the old neighborhood.
Syracuse N.Y.
hi, good site very much appreciatted
I knew Rod in the mid 80s. He changed my life and taught/trained me that anything was possible. I am so sorry to your wife, children and family for your great loss. Rod you will always be with me because you were a big part of my success in life. I will never forget you my friend. Joel Retired SEAL
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