Yesterday, on March 23, 2011 the world lost a great man and heaven gained a legend. Billy Hornsby was the president and founder of ARC (the Association of Related Churches). His vision was large and it outlives him today.
I first met Billy (pictured on the left) through another friend. I shared a meal with him another time, and got to sit and listen to him share life, vision, and a passion for seeing people fall in love with Jesus through the planting of life-giving churches. Story Church simply wouldn't exist like it does today if it weren't for the support of our friends at the ARC. In a time when I felt like we were drowning, the life-giving spirit of the ARC was a breath of fresh air. And that spirit, that culture that exists within this movement, is a direct result of Billy.
The day before Billy died I received his new book in the mail, free as a gift from him and the ARC. He never stopped working to pour himself out on the lives of others. His influence will never be able to be measured. He squeezed life out of every last second. It's a beautiful thing to watch someone reach the end of their life with as much dignity as Billy did. He finished so well.
Though Billy had never been to Story Church, his fingerprints are all over it. While all of us within the ARC will miss him, we proudly carry his vision forward.
2 comments:
Jeremy, he sounds like a really great person who lived for othrs. I can't wait to read some of his books. So thankful for ARC to be a blessing to our church!
Well said...I will be praying for his family.
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