Remembering Pastor Larry

TRIBUTES to Pastor Larry DeBruyn

The following are just a few of the tributes that were read at the Memorial Service for our dear colleague Pastor Larry DeBruyn on Sunday January 7th in Dale City, Virginia. Pastor Larry's service will be posted on YouTube in the next few days. We will put up a post with the details.

October 7, 1944 - Dec. 28, 2017

When Jewel Grewe called me and said she wanted to hold a Discernment / Berean Call Conference in South Africa in January 2016, we were thrilled to hear that Larry deBruyn would be accompanying her. Having read his books and articles, we were looking forward to meeting Larry in person. Larry’s father-heart came through and we found him so easy to converse with and despite his own hardships he had experienced, his concern and love for people was evident. With a zeal and passion for the Truth he selflessly served the Church of Jesus Christ travelling to different countries with his precise teachings and power-point presentations that were a blessing to us all.   

The words of this beautiful hymn “Brother let me be your servant” reminds us of Larry!  He will be sorely missed by us all…  until we meet again… 

I will hold the Christ-light for you
In the night-time of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you,
Speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping,
When you laugh I'll laugh with you;
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we've seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in heaven
We shall find such harmony,
Born of all we've known together
Of Christ's love and agony.
Brother, let me be your servant,
Let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I may have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.

Julie Leo, South Africa,
The Berean Call & Discernment Ministries office

Condolences from The Theological College of Southern Africa which is based in Zimbabwe.
The College Community in Southern Africa expresses its heartfelt condolences to Pastor Larry Debryn's family, the Saints in the USA on the passing on of our beloved minister of the Lord's flock across the world. While it seems a loss for us all we exhort the brethren all over the world to celebrate his life as a gift from God that was given and has now been taken.

We had the privilege to be ministered to by Pastor Larry in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on the 30th of January to the 7th of February 2016. This is almost 2 years ago but we were still feeling the blessing of lectures during those days. We were continuing to pray for his return trip anytime this year but the Lord has seen it fit to call him home. We then will continue to praising the Lord for the wonderful gift that he was.

From the Zimbabwe Bible College

Remembering Larry DeBruyn

Most people who know the name Larry DeBruyn, know him as a discerner and apologist. Indeed, he was those things par excellence. He wrote and spoke indefatigably against error and his work is visible all over the internet and on countless bookshelves and in the hearts of thousands. Not only did he have an excellent grasp of the theological issues but he exhibited a Christ-like spirit towards even his opponents. There are many who attempt to defend truth, but not many who do it with the right attitude. Larry was one of a select few who spoke and wrote, not because he had a chip on his shoulder but because he cared.

He cared for truth, but he also cared for those who are deceived as well as those who are the deceivers. This concern for the people as well as the doctrine was no doubt borne out of his many years in pastoral work. Yes, he was an excellent apologist, but he was also a true shepherd of the flock.

Indeed, he was more than an apologist. He was also a teacher who cherished every opportunity to teach the truth wherever the Lord would open a door for him – across the world, to every culture and to large and small gatherings alike. Once again, there are many who can point out error but Larry was one of a few whose passion was as much for truth as against error. As a teacher he remained faithful to the fundamentals of the faith at a time when most are defecting to the left and right. Today teachers are dime a dozen, but those who remain faithful to the faith once delivered are very rare indeed. Such was Larry DeBruyn.

More than an apologist, pastor and teacher, Larry was also a friend. Many years ago I was struggling with a very difficult situation in a very difficult church. I was in despair and ready to quit. Unexpectedly Larry called and spent time encouraging me with the same comfort he had been comforted with in a similar situation. When it seemed that all others had forsaken or forgotten, Larry had not, and I will never forget his kindness at such a dark hour. Larry was a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

No one is indispensable and the Lord knows what He is doing when He calls His warriors home but Larry will certainly leave a huge gap in the ministry and amongst my friends. Apart from his roles as a family man, Larry was a true apologist, teacher, shepherd and friend. His reward will indeed be great!

“Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.” (Psalms 116:15)

Pastor Anton Bosch, 1/4/18
Sun Valley Community Church

Late Pastor Larry
We have learnt through TCSA of the untimely passing on of Pastor Larry. Untimely in that it was our desire for the dear pastor to continue with the good work and investment of this divine partnership. However, we accept that the Almighty had better ideas. 

We nevertheless take comfort that what Larry achieved will forever remain etched in the memories of those who were blessed to have interacted with. That interaction still has positive impact to this day and we prayer for its continuation in the future. 

Please pass our sincere condolences to the surviving families, the Christian community in the States and the wider Christian community at large. Pastor Larry’s contribution was purposeful in a life well spent. 

May the Lord continue to comfort all of us in the full knowledge that a reunion awaits us yonder. 

For and on behalf of Assemblies of God Zimbabwe 🇿🇼,
Nathan Setlhako (Chairman - National Executive)

My name is T.A. McMahon and I’m the Executive Director of The Berean Call, a ministry founded by Dave Hunt. It’s my privilege to share some memories and thoughts about my friend Larry.

When I first met Pastor Larry, the Lord had directed him into writing in the area of spiritual discernment, which he took to not only with grace but also with the heart of a shepherd who had great concern for God’s sheep in our days of growing deception.

For those of us in discernment ministries we are aware of the great diversity of false teachings that the Adversary continues to use to deceive the body of Christ. Some are billboard obvious yet they are nevertheless seductive.

Others are very complex and intimidating in the sense that they seem to be supported by science. It was the latest concepts of that nature, such as quantum spirituality, that were not science but rather false teachings or pseudoscience. Larry was wonderfully able to explain the errors simply and then show how they undermined the truth of God’s Word.

Quantum physics and its relation to quantum spirituality was not something I was particularly interested in trying to figure out, or was even capable of, although I saw the serious influence it was having in Christendom. Those who promoted the Word/Faith Movement were using quantum spirituality to support their corruption of both God’s Word and in particular the critical biblical doctrine of Faith.

Those who were into the teachings of pantheism and panentheism, that God is nothing more than an impersonal force or energy and that God is in everything, i.e., everything is God, were also deceiving multitudes. Larry made a valuable contribution through his work in debunking the false science involved thereby helping the discernment of and the equipping of biblical Christians.

Larry and I spent time together in South Africa and he helped me greatly in my own lack of understanding regarding quantum spirituality. His explanations enabled me to see how the latest pseudoscientific concepts fit into the ongoing deceptions Satan had been promoting since the Garden of Eden, and which Dave Hunt and I had been writing about for decades.

Larry understood that God had given him the grace—and time—to do a unique work, and he was ever so thankful.

South Africa was a special time. We both took very seriously the work God privileged and enabled us to do. On the other hand, Larry was the main laugh track on the personal videos we made during that trip that featured some of my blunders, from unintentionally exploding a smoothie blender the contents of which decorated a kitchen—to the crashing of my parafoil kite in our hosts’ most cherished tree—to dredging their pool for my sunken GoPro camera.

There nothing quite like having a smiling, heavyweight Dutchman towering over me each morning inquiring as to what adventure I might have in store for the day!

Larry spoke at our Berean Call Conference a couple of years ago and it was obvious to all that the niche that God had called him to fill regarding discernment was wonderfully fulfilled. He finished the race by grace.

I’m going to miss him, yet I thank Jesus for the time I had with him.

TA McMahon, Berean Call

Pastor Larry was a dear friend. I will greatly miss him. He had send me a message only two days before I heard that he was admitted to the hospital. I never expected it to be his last one to me. 

For nearly ten years, ever since he picked me up at the airport in Indianapolis, IN when I had arrived from Switzerland in order to drive me to the Discernment Conference in Niles, MI, I cherished his friendship and close cooperation in the Discernment Research Group. He had a keen mind and a great love for his Savior Jesus Christ. While he recommended me as a guest preacher to American pastors and often drove me himself to one or the other church or ministry venue, I don’t recall that we ever spoke about anything else but the truths of the Bible and how it needed to be defended effectively against all of the heretical teaching which had crept into the evangelical churches. I benefitted from his godly counsel and deeply spiritual insights. I don’t believe there was even one incident that I disagreed with his views on the Bible or anything else. He pointed me to resources in my research whenever he could and was glad when I was able to help him in his. Once, when I preached in his church, he gave me an expressive Bible software program as a gift. I still use it almost every day. While much more could be said about Pastor Larry, when I think of him only one thought comes immediately to mind: His great dedication to know the Bible, as best as he could, preach and teach it to others with a passion, and live out its truths moment by moment in order to glorify God and be a blessing to others.

Again, I miss him dearly but am glad to know that he can see Jesus Christ, his Savior, face to face now and be in His presence for all eternity.

Dr. Martin Erdmann

I was Pastor Larry’s secretary for over 14 years and was fortunate to get to know him very well.  If you did not have this opportunity, you missed out on a very dear friend.  Most of you know he was a wonderful Biblical scholar with such deep insight to God’s word, but he was also a very caring, compassionate, sensitive man.  He loved the Lord, and he loved His people.  There were so many times I saw the soft, gentle side of him as he was helping someone during a difficult time.  He helped my husband and me during the time our 21 year old son had a massive stroke.  He not only visited and prayed for Brad while we was in the hospital and rebab, but he took the time to talk with Dave and me as we were handling this devastating blow, adding his tears to ours.  He was my confidant, as I was his, and I counted that a privilege. 

He was also a very generous, giving man.  I recall one time a young lady in our church asked him his opinion of which study Bible to purchase. Knowing the family was tight on money, Pastor Larry purchased his recommendation and had it sent to her house.  She was so grateful!  That was just one of many, many times I saw his generosity. 

We would have coffee breaks in my office occasionally.  Anyone who was in the church at the time would gather in my office for a few minutes of fellowship.  Often it would turn into a mini Bible lesson as Pastor Larry discussed a topic that was on his mind at the time.  I loved that!

One thing that makes me smile whenever I think of him is how he tickled himself so when he told a joke.  Everyone would laugh…..but his would always be the loudest.  I think he loved the telling as much as the joke itself.

Pastor Larry was a dear man and I will miss him so much.  As I said, anyone who was able to get to know him well was blessed with a true friend.  I was privileged to be one of them.

Debbie Kennedy

Pastor Larry DeBruyn wholeheartedly and lovingly served his Master and Lord Jesus Christ and the believers in each church that he pastored. We were fortunate enough to live under his leadership and to become friends with him and Margie. Gaylene first discovered Franklin Road Baptist Church when we were looking for a new church home in 2008. I was cautious about getting involved with another church without understanding the church’s position on Christian doctrine and was hoping to read something more than a mission statement. I wanted to know how the church put the doctrine into practice. I found this answer in Pastor Larry’s Pastor Letters that were posted to the FRBC website at the time. He had written an entire series of letters about practical, everyday Christian living for the membership of FRBC.

There can be no doubt that Pastor Larry had a true calling as a Pastor. The most compelling evidence is his fervent work after his retirement as a Senior Pastor. He continued his teaching ministry in many countries, served with Discernment Ministries in both writing and editing articles and began his own website and blog. He never retired in the American sense of retirement, instead he moved from one phase of Christian service to another. This is also true of his death. He has simply moved from Christian service in this life to the perfect form of Christian service and worship of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Steve Goodroad