Rev. Dr. Jack Arnold (1935-2005)
Jack Arnold, my pastor back home -- shepherd, teacher, mentor, second-father, councilor, missionary to Africa, and foremost friend -- went to be with Christ in glory on Sunday.
Jack was preaching at Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA, Orlando) on the cost of discipleship. As he neared the end of the sermon, he spoke of his favorite verse "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain." He quoted Wesley saying, "Until my work on this earth is done, I am immortal. But when my work for Christ is done," and he slapped his hands together toward the sky saying, "I am outa here! I don't know about you, but when my work is done, I go to be with Jesus. And that will be gain! And when I go to heaven, . . . ." At this point, Jack paused briefly, looked up, swayed slightly, and grabbed the podium before falling back to the floor. And he was gone. Several members of the congregation worked on him until EMTs arrived, but all appearances were that the Lord took him quickly and completely. The congregation remained in their seats until the EMTs entered the building then moved to the fellowship Hall to continue to pray before dismissing the people with prayer and benediction.
As a biographical sketch, Jack was a true champion of the faith. A former basketball player at UCLA under John Wooden, he pastored faithfully here in America; taught at Reformed Theological Seminary, Knox Seminary, New Geneva Seminary, and elsewhere; and he took the gospel everywhere around the world, most especially to thousands of third world pastors, who looked to "Pastor Jack" to disciple them in the Biblical and Reformed faith. He meticulously typed out his sermon notes during his 40+ years of ministry, and Equipping Pastors International was dedicated to teaching and equipping pastors around the world, providing them with sermons to use as templates for their own preaching, and equipping them to shepherd their flocks. Over the last few years, Jack has taught thousands of pastors in East, West, and South Africa; India; Korea; Indonesia; and Mexico.