'A great guy who loved his Lord'

Tributes have been paid to Baptist youth and children’s pastor Bob Morris, who died at the weekend. Bob had been undergoing treatment for a brain tumour, and passed away suddenly on Saturday morning (13 July), aged 50

 
Bob had been youth pastor at Cirencester Baptist Church since 2004, having previously been involved in ministry at Thornhill Baptist Church in Southampton for nine years. He was a founding member of the Children Youth and Families Round Table, and chaired the European Baptist Federation’s Youth and Children’s Committee.
 
Hundreds of people have paid tribute to him. Cirencester Baptist Church published the following post on its social media channels. 

With sadness, hope, tears and faith we share the news that our beloved Bob Morris, youth & children's pastor at CBC, died on Saturday.
We love him, and miss him so much. He is with the Lord he served.

 
Baptists Together General Secretary Lynn Green invited people to join her in 'giving thanks to God for Bob’s incredible life, witness and ministry and pray for his family and church at this time of grief and shock.'

'In the midst of grief, loss and questions we are grateful that he is now beyond suffering and face to face in the presence of his precious Lord,’ Lynn said. 
 
Tony Peck, General Secretary of the European Baptist Federation, said Bob was taken ill at the EBF Council last September, before being subsequently diagnosed with a brain tumour.
 
‘He faced this situation and the surgery and treatment that followed with a positive spirit and an unshakeable trust in his Lord,’ Tony wrote.

‘Bob was a hugely gifted and talented youth minister at Cirencester Baptist Church in the UK. He made a great contribution to the EBF also and to our youth leaders.

‘Please pray for his wife Hilary and their children Ben, Joe, Jack and daughter-in-law Bethia. And for the very many young people, and EBF youth leaders who will especially experience shock and sadness at this news.’
 
Cirencester Baptist Church is part of the West of England Baptist Association, which posted:

‘It is with tremendous sadness that we are sharing the news that our friend and colleague Bob Morris died on Saturday. Bob dedicated his life to making Jesus known, especially among children, young people and families, and we have been blessed to have Bob as part of our team. Please pray for Bob's family, for Cirencester Baptist Church and for all who knew him as we come to terms with this heartbreaking news.’
 
Many friends and colleagues commented on these posts. Ian Bunce, senior pastor of Romford Baptist Church, worked alongside Bob in the EBF. He wrote, ‘Deeply saddened by this news. He was a great guy who loved his Lord. The lives touched by this man cannot be counted but many, many know Jesus because of him. Prayers for his family and all who are affected by this news.’
 
Ali Boulton, who is based in WEBA, wrote, ‘So sad today. Bob was such a gift to his church, association, union and EBF family. Praying for all those who mourn today and thanking God for his Hope and comfort.’
 
Clare Hooper, a Regional Minister with Southern Counties Baptist Association, served alongside Bob on the Children, Young People and Families Round Table. She said, ‘Bob had the type of presence that made meetings fun. He was able to quickly put people at ease and was definitely a glass half full type of guy. He reflected so much of Christ, but what I especially appreciated was his attitude of no dream or hope being impossible with God.

'It's a testament of his Godly character that tributes have poured in from the various networks that he was part of.’