Jim Gaskill passed away on Sunday, June 28, 2009. He was the executive director of ICBC and Deeper Walk International for thirteen years. Jim found joy in helping others and in getting people connected to the help they needed. His hearty laugh and positive attitude were a source of comfort and security to all who knew him. He will be deeply missed.

The board of Deeper Walk International wishes to honor Jim’s legacy of servant leadership by establishing the Jim Gaskill Legacy Fund. Proceeds from this fund will help to support his wife Candy by making it possible for us to advance to her money that would have come to Jim if he were still with us. In the years to come we hope that money donated to this fund will allow us to offer scholarships in Jim’s name to those who would otherwise be unable to attend Deeper Walk training events. Those of you who knew Jim well, know that he was always looking for ways to help more people attend Institute classes and biennial conferences.

A TRIBUTE TO MY DEAR FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE, JIM GASKILL

He is like a tree planted by the streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. (Psalm 1:3)

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. (Psalm 92:12,13.)

As these texts remind us, men and trees share a likeness! One of my good memories from my childhood is of a giant cottonwood tree that stretched its massive branches out over my boyhood home. I loved that tree! It was majestic! So stately; so strong in its gigantic size and deep rooted security! Even in my adulthood, as our family drove toward my parent's home for visits, I would find my eyes searching the horizon for my first glimpse of that comforting giant! I loved that tree!

Then, much to my chagrin, one year it wasn't there! The tree was gone! The aging process had taken its toll on this pillar of my childhood security! Some of its upper branches were dying and falling to the ground in noisy crashes. Lest someone get hurt by a falling branch, my Dad had cut the tree down. He moved it on to his higher purpose of providing him some much needed lumber. I was sure that there might have been a better solution, but it was my Dad's tree. He owned it and he had every right to do with that tree what he thought best! I felt somewhat disappointed but it was Dad's tree!

Jim Gaskill was like that giant tree in my life and memories. Jim's physical size may have been average, but he was a very big "TREE!" In his personality, his warmth of spirit, his faith & faithfulness, his friendliness to everyone, his caring love, and most of the other best human virtues, Jim Gaskill was a giant! The Lord Jesus Christ had made him a rich treasure! The deep roots of his faith, the big branches of his friendship and the life enriching comfort of his presence profoundly touched my life. Like many others, I had become very sure that I could not do without Jim's presence! His continuing leadership in the important ministry that both he and I loved needed him! Yet, Jim is God's tree. By Jim's own choice and in God's loving grace, Jim remains "God's tree!" The Lord has lifted him and promoted him to a higher purpose.

Because of our hope in Jesus Christ, this is not the final chapter! As the family gathered with Candy in this time of great loss, one of their sons said in essence: "I just feel like we are all here and Dad's going to soon walk in and were all going to have a party." Jim would have loved those words. He was like that! Always positive and ready for God's best. I like to think that he is now having a part in helping organize the heavenly things necessary for that really "BIG PARTY!" Jesus Christ is coming again "with power and great Glory!" Those dead in Christ will rise first as Jesus comes and those believers still living will be caught up to meet the Lord and His redeemed ones in the clouds of heaven. That will be a hallelujah time of eternal joy. If Jim were here with us today, seeing all of our tears, I can just hear him saying: "Hey, it's O.K. I am here with my Lord and all is well! Just be sure that you don't miss the big party being planned when our Lord returns!"

Jesus Christ gave us His final word, so appropriate for us now and our blessed hope:

He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 21:20.) With deepest love and esteem,

Jim Gaskill's friend, Mark I. Bubeck.