MINISTRY // Jim Radloff is in heaven

“This morning the Lord answered our prayers,” Holy Word Lutheran Church in Pflugerville, Texas announced last Thursday.

“[The Lord] received into eternal life and glory the soul of Jim Radloff, who departed this earth in peace while under the care of hospice and his family.”

Pastor Radloff became part of our ministry a decade ago. He served as a board member for many of those years. Then he designed our English as a foreign language program. He traveled to China for 316NOW numerous times. It was not unusual for him to spend 6-8 weeks there.

Pastor Radloff’s zeal for sharing the gospel with people in China was unquenchable. “I have never seen a more fertile mission field,” he regularly told the board of directors. He dedicated himself to sowing gospel seeds in that field. He spent many hours online each week training Chinese Christians. He talked with everyone he met about 316NOW’s ministry, urging them to become involved. On one of his trips to China, he broke his arm. But he refused to return home earlier than he planned, even though the arm was not healing properly.  The opportunities to share God’s grace were more important.

316NOW rejoices that, by grace, our Brother Jim was able to claim the words of St. Paul, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:7,8).

A victory celebration service is planned for Thursday, March 8 at 9:00 a.m. at Holy Word Lutheran Church in Austin. Visitation, fellowship, and a light luncheon will all follow the service.

Note: Some have asked about memorial gifts to 316NOW in Pastor Radloff’s honor. Gifts can be given online by using 316NOW’s secure giving portal. Tap here for more information.