My Friend, Diane

My friend and colleague, Diane Knippers, passed away this week. It was a shock to my heart. Among other things, Christine and I have fond memories of regular Sunday lunches over several years with the Knippers and the Frickies in Virginia. We would talk of life and trends, work and play, church and relationships. I learned many things from those conversations that serve me to this day.

Diane was one of the first people to actively support and advocate on behalf of the persecuted church. In the days long before Christian leaders or media outlets were devoting radio and newspaper columns to religious human rights, Diane focused her passion and energy to supporting it. It was Diane, along with Dave Howard and John Langlois from World Evangelical Fellowship (now Alliance), who encouraged me -- and Mike Morris from England -- to consider launching a Religious Liberty Commission to help coordinate advocacy for the persecuted church. With her encouragement came time, effort, and counsel for the cause.

At one of the first conferences we sponsored as the Religious Liberty Commission, she argued that "we need to support our persecuted brothers and sisters not because of any attention we might receive, but because it is the right thing to do." As the idea of an International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church was originally explored, she was one of the strong supporters that helped me overcome some initial skepticism on the part of many (including several who are among the staunchest backers today).

There are many things to be said (and I hope many people will say them) about all that Diane did -- and who she was -- in the many roles she played. As we worked together as Board members of the National Association of Evangelicals, she brought deep insight and perspective on the wider Body of Christ. As leaders at Truro Episcopal Church, Christine and I benefited from her wise leadership and consensus building skills. We will be eternally grateful to all our friend Diane contributed to our lives, as well as to the early stages of our children's lives (she also served as godmother for our twin boys, Joseph and John, now 17).

Diane, the world is less -- and so am I -- without your passion, strength, energy, sense of humor, courage, wisdom and gentleness. Thankfully, you remain ever present in special places of my heart.

For more reflections on Diane, check out: http://www.ird-renew.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=fvKVLfMVIsG&b=470197&ct=706653