BRIAN van der SPUY
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BRIAN van der SPUY
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Dear Friends and Brethren: The Southern Africa Bible College (SABC) has been requested by the family and friends of Brian van der Spuy to accept gifts in his memory at the Bible College. Therefore, it is our honour and pleasure to establish the BRIAN van der SPUY MEMORIAL FUND. Brian was a part of the very beginnings of this college in the mid-sixties and served on the Board of Trustees for what was then called the Southern Africa Bible School (SABS) for many years. He visited the campus often, encouraging us and admonishing us for further service to our Lord by his lessons in the classroom, chapel talks, speaking at the annual SABC Lectureships, preaching at Benoni and other congregations in the area, and by the very example of his own life. Brian was one of the few South Africans who went to the States for religious education in the late ‘50's, early ‘60's, before SABC began, that came back to his homeland to labour all these years among the people he knew best. Bilingual in English and Afrikaans, highly trained and qualified, Brian could have landed a position and preached just as capably in the USA, but he chose to return home to South Africa to assist struggling congregations here. His work in the province previously known as the Orange Free State (now just ‘Free State’) has been such a blessing to all those who were taught and converted at Virginia, Welkom, and other places, and those who grew spiritually and matured under his instruction since the mid-sixties. Brian was a faithful husband to Shirley (Uys), devoted to his children and grandchildren, dynamic teacher, outstanding preacher, compassionate elder, avid golfer, respected community leader, good neighbour and trusted friend to so many throughout the world. His first heart attack in his 30’s began a long struggle with surgeries and painful days and nights, but he preached almost to the end when his heart finally lost the battle on April 1, 2008, but he gained the victory! Sometimes, Brian fought for every breath in the pulpit, but he kept on preaching. What a valiant soldier of the cross we had among us! In 2005, Brian accepted an assignment for SABC’s annual lectureship that September, and came to Benoni prepared to speak, but became ill the second day and had to return home to see his private physician. Fortunately, we had a visiting elder/teacher/preacher from the States (George Johnson from Pikeville, KY) who stepped in and adequately filled Brian’s assigned slot that Tuesday evening. In 2006, we again asked Brian to speak, but he was not able to accept because of his health condition. We all miss Brian and mourn the loss he represents to the church, his family, friends and the many brethren in both South Africa and America who were privileged to sit at his feet when he preached such powerful sermons for over 40 years. Brian, we love you still. Rest in Peace! To send a gift in Brian’s memory and further his dreams of evangelizing Africa through the Bible College, in South Africa send monetary donations to the Southern Africa Bible College, Attn: Brian van der Spuy Memorial Fund, P. O. Box 11165, Rynfield 1514, or make a direct deposit to Southern Africa Bible College Account #021100586, c/o Standard Bank-Benoni, Branch Code #01-30-42-40, Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ. Gifts from the USA, please mail to: Memorial Church of Christ, c/o Mrs. Carolyn Belin, Attn: Brian van der Spuy Memorial Fund, 900 Echo Lane, Houston, TX 77024. From either continent, please notify SABC treasurer, Jacqui Worthington, at jacqui@southernafricabiblecollege.org of your donation so it will be properly tracked. We hope to eventually erect a plaque in the SABC library with names of all donors to this fund in his memory. SABC is registered in South Africa as a Section 21 company and is tax-deductible for all memorial gifts. Training for Service in the Churches of Christ in Africa,
Campus * Plot 14, Cloverdene Road, Cloverdene, Benoni P. O. Box 11165, Rynfield 1514 * Telephones: Office 011-969-4497/8 * After hours 012-997-1983 * Fax: 011-969-4993
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