Passed away peacefully at the age of 68 with his beloved wife Shirley at his side on November 9, 2011 in Nanaimo, BC. The devoted father of Kevin and Jennifer (Wagner), and loving grandpa of Riley, Brayden, Gabriela and Oliver; only son of the late Benjamin and Isabel Birch; and son-in-law of the late Harold and Evelyn Booth.
He was a warm, generous, and kind-hearted man who will be dearly missed by family and all who knew him. He was a remarkable man of faith who leaves a legacy of love and compassion throughout the world as a minister, teacher, author, and missionary. In 1977, he founded the Pan African Christian University in Nairobi, Kenya and has nurtured churches, clinics, and schools throughout Canada and East and West Africa, on behalf of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada.
Donations will be gladly accepted through www.paoc.org/donate/kennethbirch.
A Funeral Service will be held at Glad Tidings Church in Victoria, BC on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.
15 Responses
Dear Shirley and family. Gaylene and I were very sad to hear of Ken’s passing. He was a real blessing to us and our family and was key to our involvement with PACU over the years and our business training programs in Africa.
He has visited in our home. Gaylene and I have traveled with him in Africa on several occasions, as have my daughter Alison and son Ian. We all appreciated his wisdom, knowledge and good humour. We will miss him.
We pray that you are comforted in knowing that he is now with his Lord.
Blessings,
Gary & Gaylene
Dear Shirley, Kevin, Jennifer (and family members):
I was saddened to hear about Dr. Ken’s passing. He inspired me with his communication skills when he became the president of the Bible college in Saskatoon. I also received the benefit of his capable leadership 20 years later when he became my boss in the National Home Missions Dept. of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada in Mississauga. Dr. Ken has left an admirable international legacy.
You, his family, will miss him most. May our Heavenly Father, ‘the God of all comfort’ comfort and strengthen you at this difficult time.
Yours Sincerely in Christ,
Klaus Sonnenberg,
Pastor, Gospel Church, Waterloo, ON
Dear Shirley, Kevin, Jennifer and family …
We were very saddened to hear of Pastor Ken’s passing. It has been a privilege to pray for you throughout the years and looked forward to the “Birchbark” or the monthly newletters. We were so grateful to the Lord that He allowed Pastor Ken to come through his life changing operation a couple of years ago. We realize that Pastor Ken’s influence extended throughout Canada and Africa but on a personal note, as our Pastor, he meant so much to us personally as he was the one who extended his love and grace during the days that the “D” word was not an acceptable term in the PAOC. He trained us in marriage counselling and he actually married us – at MGT – the first “D” to be acceptable to be remarried … and what a mountain moved that was! Drew’s mom, Eleanor has lots of hilarious tales of Pastor Ken as she was his secretary for his term at MGT. We have fond memories of Pastor Ken borrowing a winter coat and boots from a fellow Gentle Giant on winter trips back to Canada. One of my fondest memories is when he agreed to play “OmnipotANT” for “Ants’fillvania” and he arrived on stage – towering over the little tiny ants – in his doctorate robes with a large “O” on his chest … and superhero mask. He was our superhero. Our prayers go out to you all for the Lord’s comfort and peace during this difficult time. Love, drew & barb parkinson
Dear Shirley, Kevin, Jennifer and family,
We wish to extend our heartfelt sympathy to you on Ken’s passing.
Our time shared at MGT holds many memories including Hugo’s serving on the board, Christopher’s baptism and Jeffery’s support from Ken as he prepared for ministry.
May you know Christ’s deep peace in your times of grieving and joyful remembering. Our prayers are with you.
Hugo and Chris
Dear Shirley, Kevin , Jennifer adn family,
I was saddened to hear of Ken’s passing and know that the world has lost an amazing person. However, Ken made a difference in so many lives over his lifetime, that he actually put two or maybe three lives into his time here. Ken’s leadership, vision, humour, knowledge and every other skill he had influenced thousands of people all over the world. As my pastor at MGT (Portico) , as my “boss” in Canadian Ministries at the International Office and as a friend over the years, I realize I have been blessed to be guided by such a great man of God. He was a gift given to us all and now this “gift” has been returned to the Heavenly Father with thanks! May you all know the comfort and strength from the Lord as you say your good-bye’s today. I know the Lord has said, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”