Friends

My heard was deeply saddened when I heard that Rev. Joel Bardwell died in a fall at home this week. He was one of the fittest and finest men of God I've ever known. We worked on many projects together over the years and spent countless hours at the Pastors Prayer Summits, retreats, coffee shops, etc. We will all miss him and pray God's peace and comfort for Wanda and the children.

His passion and heart was to see the body of Christ across the front range be unified in spirit and in truth. He poured his life into bringing pastors together from all kinds of churches and traditions and building bridges of trust and friendship among us. He invited us to see a bit of heaven on earth as we buried our differences to embrace our unity in serving a risen Lord in the context of brotherly love, accountability, mentoring, and great times of prayer with no agenda.

I'll never forget when I first moved to Denver in 1996 and received my first "Joel mail". It was a non discript envelop with a label attached to "Pastor" and another label in the return address simply "Pastor's Prayer Summit". Something about the simple style got me to open this piece of "junk mail". I'm glad I did because in some ways it changed my life and at many times kept me going in the ministry. As a new guy in town trying to start an urban church ministry, I didn't have a lot of pastor friends that I knew nor were there many opportunities that I found to share and prayer together. So when I opened it up the top line caught my eye: "No Agenda - we invite you to just come and pray and worship for three days with other pastors". It was signed by Joel and Dr. Mark Brewer, pastor of Colorado Community Church.

I was hooked and have been ever since. Joel had a way of making everyone he met very special. His prayers were always inspired by the Holy Spirit. His laughter was contagious, his spirit and soul grounded in a deep abiding faith in the Lord Jesus. He was a true mentor to me and many others always having time to dream and download. I will miss him but look forward to that great "Prayer Summit" on high for an eternity with No Agenda but to praise and worship our King.

Dean Cowles