The PE Church response letter

An email comprised by the evangelists of Southern Africa is currently circulating regarding the tragic death of Rod. icoccommentary obtained permission to publish it in its full entity.

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2CO 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

It is with great sadness of heart that on Monday the 19th of November our brother and dear friend Rod Fick, took his own life.

Rod has served as the evangelist of the Port Elizabeth Church for the last 7 years and was known and loved by many disciples throughout Africa & the United States. He will always be remembered as an exceptional and faithful servant to God and his people.

His life was filled with adventure, from his days as a Peace Corp volunteer in the Central African Republic, to his time as a professional tri-athlete and ultra-marathon runner, and the years that he has served in the ministry in PE, Cape Town and Gauteng.

During this year Rod experienced a great amount personal and leadership pressure. To lighten his load and help him recover the PE leadership team offered him a 3 months sabbatical.

Shortly after taking the sabbatical Rod’s condition rapidly deteriorated and he admitted himself to hospital where he was diagnosed with a major depressive disorder. After being in hospital for 2 weeks he got a weekend pass to attend a family function in Pretoria.

Tragically on Monday morning, before returning to PE, Rod took a gun from a relative’s safe, and in this altered state of mind took his own life.

Many people from around the world knew and loved him deeply. He will be very sorely missed. Our prayers and deepest condolences go out to Linda, Mika, Jordan, their families and the PE church.

Please keep them in your prayers during this time of grief.

If you would like to write a note of encouragement to Linda and the family please hand it to your church leader tonight or on Sunday. You may also donate towards the outstanding medical bills this coming Sunday.

A private cremation will be held during the week. A time to fellowship to encourage the family will be held on Thursday from 7-8pm in the gardens of the Bird and Animal hospital at 494 Atterbury Rd, In Pretoria East. Please bring a candle and flower and a chair to sit on.

Two memorial services will be held. One in Johannesburg on Sunday 25th of November at 2pm at the Johannesburg Church building as well as in PE on Wednesday the 28th of November.

Much love

The evangelists of Southern Africa.

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