Triumphant In Faith And Perseverance, Christine Ludlow (1950 – 2014)

    Thank you to all of you dear friends who prayed for Herald staff worker Christine Ludlow during these past twelve years as she battled cancer. On February 15th, she took her last breath in this life and went home to be with the Lord. Although she did not receive the physical healing from the cancer for which we hoped, we did see many indications of the Lord’s presence and provision for her through the years, including His special grace these last weeks and days. We offer praise to Him for His faithfulness over her life, and for the wonderful promise of Christ: "I am the Resurrection and the Life; [she] who believes in Me will live even if [she] dies" (John 11:25).

    Christine began working for Herald of His Coming in 1972, and her primary task through the years was to read and work through the mail the ministry received from readers outside of the U.S. She helped in many other ways as well, including her work in the mailroom preparing special orders for mailing. She was very much a "people person," and served as the primary greeter for those who visited the office. She also phoned the many volunteers to schedule work days.

    She loved God’s Word and was always an eager participant each morning as the staff met for Bible study. She also often spent portions of her lunch hour reading her Bible. She loved to buy Bibles, including study Bibles, for her own use and to share with others.

    One of her many admirable characteristics was her thankful spirit. She lived her life very much in harmony with the Lord’s Word to give thanks in everything (1 Thes. 5:18). She was indeed grateful to the Lord for all of His love and care in her life, and also for all of the love shown her by family, friends and the medical profession.

    The characteristics that stand out most, however, were her abiding trust in the Lord and her perseverance in her faith, even through a long and hard battle with sickness. She ran well the race that was set before her, with her eyes fixed on Jesus (Heb. 12:1-2). A note by Henry Blackaby in one of her favorite study Bibles, summarizes her faith well: "Sometimes faith results in incredible victory, healing, and miraculous deliverance. Other times it is expressed by confidence and peace in the presence of continued pain, suffering and rejection. Genuine faith perseveres in both trial and triumph."

    One of the Scriptures the Lord led her to in her struggle was Isaiah 42:16 – "I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, in paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, and I will not leave them undone." In reference to this verse, she was able to testify: "And the Lord did not forsake me."

    She also wrote, "It is my desire to honor the Lord through my life or by death. When we give our life into the Lord’s hands, He brings encouragement to boost our faith and confidence in Him – and He is trustworthy. He also has the opportunity to show what He alone can do. …He has given me many opportunities through it all to be His witness."

    Please join us in giving praise to the Lord for His work in and through Christine’s life, including her many years of service with Herald of His Coming. Pray that He will bring to fruition the gospel seeds that she was able to plant in the lives of others. Thank Him for His faithfulness, love, encouragement and strength that helped Christine live her life well and finish her race with endurance.

    We are blessed to include an overview of Christine’s life. To God be the glory!