What an honour to reflect on the life of our friend Ken, whom I have known for more than 35 years.

As I’ve reflected over the past few days, I’ve searched for a ‘one word’ that would encapsulate this remarkable man. There isn’t ‘one’. Not at least which would do him justice but several.... Father, wise, discerning, caring, reflector of Jesus and Man of the Spirit. The list goes on and on, yet somehow seems not to suffice.

The first time we met two things immediately stood out, the first was fatherhood, both for his own children and his spiritual ones. They would naturally gather around like chicks. Then too, how he with fresh hunger and zeal set his face to pursue the Holy Spirit. That night we leaned with Ken so intensely into the Spirit that I only returned home when the sun was coming up the next morning. That same determination and hunger for the Holy Spirit would ultimately cause him to establish the El Shaddai church in Durbanville.

I alluded to the fact that he reflected Jesus. I recall how one time we had been on a ministry trip to Cape Town. On our return trip Carol and I encountered Ken and Anne at Grabouw. It was their day off, yet they were taking time out to go and visit the brother of one of their Spiritual son’s, who was in jail. It sounded a bit like Jesus ‘when I was in jail, did you visit me?’ We wondered how many people would do this on a ‘day off’. It speaks to the stature of who Ken was.

I too have had the joy of witnessing many other of Ken’s anointing's and gifting's like his theological acumen plus his ability to dive into and unpack difficult and controversial issues for the COTN Apostolic Council.

Ken’s heart and missionary endeavours would be a book on their own, suffice to say only Heaven will reveal the thousands of lives he and his family have impacted.
We concur with the Psalmist; ‘Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants.’ Psalm 116:15 – It speaks of the Father’s caring compassion and his delight at Ken’s homecoming.

We will miss you Ken.

Your friends,

The Church of the Nations family

(Posted at the request of the Turner family)