Michael Murrill Gilchrist Jr.

On the evening of December 20, Mike, peacefully passed from this life to the next. Surrounded by his family, ministering angels of the Lord peacefully escorted him from this earthly life into the arms of Jesus. When he closed his eyes here, he opened them in Heaven to see the Savior he loved, and heard those cherished words, “well done, good and faithful servant…., enter into the joy of your rest!” He realized the fulfillment of the Apostle Paul’s words to the Corinthian church, when he wrote; “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”

He was preceded in death, and is now joyfully reunited with his parents, Evangelist Mike Gilchrist and Donnie, and sisters Ellen Bonnette and Duana Barnett. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 41 years, Kerry of Midlothian, his children Rachel (Austin) of Sheridan, Arkansas, Michael III (Alecia) of Altus, Oklahoma and Rebecca (Gabriel) of Stange, Norway; grandchildren Tucker, Carlie, Leon, Haven, Audrey Anne, Maranatha, and Case, who knew him as “Papa”. Sisters, Kathryn Harlan, Esther Pfrimmer and Cheryl Barron, his lifetime family friend Angie Aumada and a host of nieces and nephews who will forever remember Uncle Mike.

To sum up a full, life well lived, in a few brief words, is simply impossible. At a youth camp he heard the unmistakable call of God and surrendered to Jesus as His Savior and Lord. He rode a bicycle with longtime family friend Sammy Tippit and others to take Bibles and share the Gospel in Communist countries. He and Kerry answered God’s call as International Mission Board missionaries to the island of St Vincent. He pastored churches in Arkansas and Texas. Brother Mike, as he was known, left an indelible impression on the hearts and lives of everyone blessed to call him Pastor. God would later place him in the role of Hospice Chaplain. There, his tender spirit blessed countless families walking difficult roads. His last assignment as a hospital chaplain opened the door for him to continue his spirit empowered ministry to the hurting while presenting the Good News of salvation where many people opened their heart to Jesus.

Mike truly embodied a well-lived life. He was a man who dared to follow Christ and the call on his life. He was a man who cared, as his compassion and selfless service knew no bounds. He was a man who shared. As the hands and feet of Jesus, he met people where they were sharing the truth of God’s love and salvation found in Christ. Mike was a man who prepared. When God whispered his name Saturday evening, Mike knew the voice. He was not caught off guard. He had been preparing all his life for that moment. He prepared his family for this time as well by living the kind of life that can never be captured in words.

He was an amazing man. As an accomplished tennis player, he never missed an opportunity to join his pal Jimmy on the courts. He loved to ride his sport bike even making regular trips between Arkansas, Shreveport and DFW. His wry smile and sense of humor was never more apparent than while recovering from a stroke. The stroke affected his use of words causing him to sometimes use them randomly. As the family would good naturedly laugh at his choice or sequencing of words, he, along with them, would laugh at himself. He was always a good sport. His welcoming persona, his warm smile and his gracious acceptance of everyone regardless of their past will be missed by all who knew him. One of the great joys of his life was welcoming any and all of his grandkids onto his lap where he could show them a father’s love, even singing them a special song at times. He was a true man of God who knew and practiced the power of prayer. He prayed with confident faith knowing that the God of the universe was listening and would answer each and every one. But most of all, Mike loved! He loved his Savior supremely. He loved his Kerry with the full love of Christ. He loved his children with a Christlike love that can only be measured in eternity. He loved his grands as only a Papa Gilley could. Born into a family with five sisters, he treasured the relationships forged with the Gilchrist girls and became their fierce defender as they were for him!

Godspeed Mike! Enjoy the reunions and the perfect healing now yours in heaven!