By Curt Williams, Founder & Executive Director
It was around November 3rd when we received the news that our ministry son Glen Ray had perished while on the mission field in Papua, New Guinea. Glen had been freediving along a reef, and for a reason known only to the Lord, he failed to surface. Twenty-four hours later, his body was found.
The entire Youth-Reach family was in shock, and sharing at least a portion of the grief with his mother, Natalie. We gathered and shared our dismay and sorrow, but soon the conversation turned to all the memories of Glen while he was with us. To say that he stood out as unique is a profound understatement.
Glen would almost always show up at my Monday night Bible study armed with a few deep questions. His intelligence was way above average, but that also made him prone to skepticism. All of this led to many engaging interactions. He was also mischievous. More than once, he was assigned to chop wood, and once was given the arduous chore of digging a stump out of the ground after it was found that he had masterminded some infamous caper.
Yet in retrospect, it is amazing to look back at how the Holy Spirit pursued Glen. He had often frustrated his mom and the strong man who chose to adopt him as a young boy. So many prayers and so many divine appointments finally led to Glen surrendering his life to Jesus. He had graduated from high school and was pursuing an appointment to the Naval Academy when he decided to take a gap year, join Youth With A Mission, and pursue a season of missional living. It was this road that led him first to New Zealand, and then to Papua, New Guinea.
While there, Glen accepted the challenge of learning the native language, and he was often seen wearing the traditional clothing of the native people. Based on many testimonies, he was living the life of a young man who had met the Savior.
In any pursuit to make sense of such a tragedy, and to attempt to digest a life lost at only 19, there is only peace when we recognize that our Father is sovereign, and that He is in control. On Saturday, December 3, we all traveled to Dallas for Glen’s celebration of life. Please understand this: There was not a single minute of grief or mourning. It was indeed a celebration. There was certainly a recognition of the loss, and many spoke of missing his beautiful smile, his quick wit and his deep care for others, but there was also an overwhelming sense of hope. To hear his mom, his dad and his brother take the pulpit to give Jesus glory was astonishing.
The truth I left with was that in only 19 years, Glen had affected more people than some who live into their 70s. He died on mission. He passed while doing what he was called to do. He died immersed in the Great Commission. He passed in obedience.
We have a real treat for you below. It is a short message that Glen shared one evening there in New Guinea, just days before he met Jesus face-to-face. This is the fruit of a changed life. Take the time to watch, and thank the Lord for a life well-lived.
