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Ian Morgan, former campus minister at Purdue University, among others, died on July 29, 2004, from a brain tumor/cancer. He had been living and ministering in Delaware since 1997. Ian is survived by his wife, Lisa, and two daughters. Those of you who knew Ian and wish to send a card may send it to: 4 Yellow Pine Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808.
Also, Elmwood Church of Christ is taking donations for a trust fund for the family. Checks can be made to Elmwood Church of Christ or to Morgan Family Trust. The address is: 2501 Elmwood Ave., Lafayette, IN 47904-2399.
Four Tributes:
Below are several tributes to Ian. The first, however, is a super-inspiring tribute to the power and love of God, written by Ian himself during his struggle with cancer. Those that follow are from a few who knew and loved Ian.
1. Lessons from the Big "C"
By Ian Morgan. This article appeared in the Elmwood Church of Christ newsletter the week of June 17, 2003. When Ian wrote this, he had been treated for brain cancer for a year. He was answering the question, “What have I learned since then?”
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- 1) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Truly I can say that I do NOT live each day worrying about when I die. When God is ready for me, He will help me face it with dignity and integrity and anticipation for the joy that is about to come. And besides, if things continue as they have been I don’t intend to die anytime soon! (Lisa is asking for 45 more years with me, she may be sorry for that request!)
- 2) Every challenge in this life is part of God’s greater plan. How we respond to the challenge will determine our own joy because only when we are what God intends for us to be in His plan can we be truly happy.
- 3) I have found more joy resigning myself to God’s will, whether it be life or death, than I have experienced before. Why didn’t I just give myself to him years ago?
- 4) I have a renewed appreciation for worship and am acutely aware of how nature reflects God’s glory and praises Him. Why didn’t I notice these things before?
- 5) Prayer is no longer an option. Now it is a lifeline. Prayer is my constant link to the source of my life.
- 6) I have spent far too much time worrying about finances and worldly things and too little time loving my wife and children. My wife is more beautiful and precious to me today than even the first day I met her, and that’s saying a lot (I was smitten the first time I saw Lisa!). Every second with her is a gift! My children deserve a father like Jesus might have been if he had had children, so I will do my best, although I still fail both my wife and kids frequently.
- 7) God deserves my reverence and deep, sincere respect. He delivered me from death, spiritual and physical, and for that I will eternally bow before Him.
- 8) Life is not counted in years, or months, or even days. Every moment and how you live it counts to God and can potentially change who you are.
- 9) I could not have made it through this year without all of your prayers and support. Keep it up, please, and don’t forget to do the same for others. Fear often prevents us from calling or from visiting those who are sick, but you would be amazed how much a phone call can make the difference.
- 10) The trials in this life are often allowed by God, so that we do not learn to love this world too much, so that we anticipate and long for the afterlife where we can spend eternity with our Creator and our loved ones in Christ.
2. From Dr. Mark Wilkins
(former student of Ian Morgan’s at Purdue University from 1995-96).
I first met Ian Morgan when I was a freshman at Purdue University in the fall of 1995. Ian had recently started working as a campus minister with the Elmwood church of Christ in Lafayette, Indiana. One of the first things I noticed about him was how he always was smiling. He also was very enthusiastic. He was so excited about the opportunity to work with the students. I regularly ate lunch with Ian and also played racquetball with him and several other students every week. He made me feel like a valuable part of the campus ministry right from the start.
A constant theme of Ian’s devotionals and Sunday school classes was God’s love and the need to demonstrate that love toward one another. I used to laugh at how he always said, “it’s all about love” toward the end of every lesson. As I think back, I realize how true that saying is. Ian understood that if we love one another as Christ loved us, we could truly have the joy that He has promised us.
I thank Ian for being a mentor and, more importantly, a friend to me as I struggled with entering college. I thank him for helping me remain faithful to
our Lord when the temptation to turn away was strong. I thank God for having allowed Ian to be a part of my life.
3. From Gayle Crowe (portion of a letter to Ian during his struggle).
You gave some new life to the word “evangelism” in the CSC. Your vision was that campus ministry is more than baby-sitting, more than nurturing the saved. Both personally and organizationally, you tried to help the CSC lighthouse become a beacon that can be seen by people who are far off from shore. . . I remember how much I admired your interest in providing first-time introductions to Jesus for those who were far off.
4. From Joel Solliday (former roommate).
I knew Ian in his Pepperdine days when he was dating the lovely Lisa! He was quite happy. How nice to have a happy roommate.
Ian regarding Christian joy as a wonderful resource for evangelism. If he had any struggles (and I now know we all do), he did not dwell on them. When others saw his joy, they saw Jesus. But joy was not just a resource for conversion for Ian, it was the genuine result as well.
Ian was one of five Christian guys who lived at the infamous “trailer” just five miles from Pepperdine in Calabasas Canyon. Our next door neighbor was the largest Hindu Temple in the Western hemisphere. He was as fine a man (and roommate) as they come, and he lived out his belief in the power of contagious Christianity.
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