APPRECIATION OF BRENTON WANDKE- God’s gentle gracious giant.

My dear wife Gwenda joins me and our children, Ruth. John. Judith, Miriam, Elisabeth, Priscilla- their partners and children in praying the abiding comfort of the Lord and our deepest sympathy is extended to Wilma, Simon, Christine in the calling home of your beloved husband and father and grandfather.

God’s gracious gentle giant is now in the presence of the Lord, whom he loved and adored. Brenton first trusted the Lord in a home study on ‘Wandering in the wilderness’ by that master teacher Reg Wright. ‘This is the last time I go to a Christian study’, he observed. However, his Lord reached out and rescued him.

Brenton intensely studied the Word of God, perusing through his lunch hour bible and commentary. We shared rooms (clinic and pharmacy) in the shopping centre. Brenton often concluded my counselling of patients as he dispensed their medicines. Many patients found the Lord with that unusual linkage. I dropped in most days for a brief prayer. They were precious moments of fellowship with a beloved brother.

Early Saturday morning we searched the Word of God and prayed for 2 hours. Brenton grew with Peter Daniels, (reaching thousands) Bill Murdoch the former communist, Norm Kingston, polished preacher, Jock Crawford once an inveterate gambler: Alan Bailey OAC; Ross Gaskin missiologist; Jim Hogg pastor Stanmore; Phil Brewster faithful indigenous pastor; John Manning intercessor; Ted Dewing builder- mission provider. Often the Lord brought spiritual national leaders to minister. Brenton’s missionary interest expanded, as the eternal God moulded him.

Brenton presented a unique study on the pharmacology of the spices in tabernacle worship during the formative days of the Southern Christian Fellowship. He glorified His risen Lord., foreshadowing his unusual spiritual gift of bible teaching.

Directed by God, Brenton and Wilma, with Simon and Christine left Adelaide to join a great missionary movement, OMF, successor to China Inland Mission. While there, Brenton studied at Ridley College under the unique leadership of Dr Leon Morris. His daily study enriched him; and prepared him for a later, wider bible-teaching ministry. Only his God envisaged the riches of Christ in Brenton’s teaching

His home life with Wilma and the growing children reflected a father and husband’s true role in Christ-centred home life. He deeply loved his family. Cherished memories in the last hours of his earthly life confirmed these convictions.

I frequently met Brenton at Melbourne airport, when passing through, when we shared precious fellowship, always culminating in prayer until the final call.

His leadership of John Haggai International, Overseas crusades and Interserve expanded his missionary vision; and generated his well-developed bible teaching. His gentle, gracious manner blessed many missionaries, identifying with them in their isolated life-style, especially with Interserve; his opening of the scriptures enriched and comforted God’s dear, lonely servants. Brenton was called of God in his generation to reveal Christ in the living Word.

A few days before his heavenly translation, Brenton confided that 70 dear brothers and sisters were interceding for him. Subdued, he said, ‘I must teach the precious word of God to my city, for many have not done so. He graciously added, ’I must go to Cambodia with valued bible teaching. Medically, I knew that his faltering voice predicated a heavenly call, unless the Father supernaturally intervened. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ called him to join the heavenly hosts- and summoned him to the throne, where he worships the Lord he has unreservedly followed. ‘He loved the Lord with all his heart.’ He has received his crown of life.

Our beloved friend and brother is safe in the eternal arms; in an unbreakable bond with his risen Lord.

You may fulfill Brenton’s longing; and be God the Fathers’ provision to reach the city of Melbourne and the nation of Cambodia, which waits for the highly-prized, eternal gospel of the grace of God. God may call you in this solemn hour!

Until the clouds break and the Lord appears with HIS saints

One in Christ Jesus Harrold & Gwenda Steward & FAMILY.