The Loss of a Hero to Many: Pastor Lon Allison Goes to Be with Jesus

Hero is the first and last word that comes to mind as I reflect on the passing of Dr. Lon Allison, former executive director of the Billy Graham Center and teaching pastor at Wheaton Bible Church.

We ought never take the word or concept of ‘hero’ lightly. It is reserved for those who live with courage and boldness, who see things a little differently than most and who inspire us to be better and do better. Hero is the first and last word that comes to mind as I reflect on the passing of Dr. Lon Allison, former executive director of the Billy Graham Center and teaching pastor at Wheaton Bible Church.

After a nearly 2-year batter with cancer, Lon went to be with Jesus today.

After being diagnosed with liver cancer, Lon, a trained actor who loved to use his full self to express his love of God and our world, sang this remarkable renditionof Chris Rice’s “Untitled Hymn.” The words must never be lost on us:

Weak and wounded sinner, lost and left to die
O, raise your head for Love is passing by

Come to Jesus, come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live

Now your burden’s lifted and carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain

So sing to Jesus, sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live

And like a newborn baby, don’t be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk, sometimes we fall

So fall on Jesus, fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live

Sometimes the way is lonely and steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain

Then cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live

O, and when the love spills over and music fills the night
And when you can’t contain your joy inside

Then dance for Jesus, dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live

And with your final heartbeat, kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory’s side

And fly to Jesus (Fly to Jesus)
Fly to Jesus (Fly to Jesus)
Fly to Jesus and live

In a world which screams at us to value many things—money, …