Tributes to Revd John Oliver Cherrill

 

“To preach a blinder of a sermon and go to Heaven” commented Archbishop Sean Larkin, at the open communion service at Acorn Christian Healing Foundation on 19^th October, the Tuesday following Revd Cherrill's passing at the Peace, was “a good death because we knew Jesus was in charge.” The Archbishop serves churches in Europe and Canada.

 

Nevertheless “we’ve had a corporate grief experience here” the Archbishop made clear. “You don't expect the greatest healing of all to gatecrash the service, do you?” remarked Acorn's Director Revd Dr Russ Parker at Rev'd Cherrill's packed funeral in St Mark's Shared Church in Bordon on Friday 22^nd October.

 

Churches Together in Farnham also paused their AGM for a time of prayer and silent reflection at Farnham Methodist Church on Wednesday 13^th October.

 

Revd Cherrill served at Whitehill Chase for more than forty years, and devolved some of his responsibility to become an instrumental part of Acorn's Volunteer Ministry Team for around twenty-five years, after this nationally supported Anglican healing ministry, with close links to Guildford Diocese, relocated to the Edwardian country manor, which has been dedicated to prayer ministry since the 1950s.

 

“His only ambition was to serve Jesus faithfully; to serve whether in the limelight or not -as a teacher, pastor, a lover of souls” reflected Revd Alastair Forman, leader of Farnham Vineyard and funeral officiator, during the main address.

 

“He showed a whole-hearted commitment to people at their time of need” commented Revd Dr Parker. “Going the extra mile was normal for him. He was standing in for another team member who was not feeling well. So he died the way he lived -on active service for the Lord.”

 

In impromptu emotional tributes a mother shared about when Revd Cherrill slipped food vouchers under her front door at Christmas, and took care of the electricity bill when she couldn't pay. “He always made sure we were okay. He stood by me when others walked away from me.”

 

Another mourner gave thanks for John helping to give birth to another 'John', a downstairs toilet in her home, by checking that drawings would be able to meet with likely planning approval.

 

Revd Cherrill died as he sat down, after speaking on 'Jesus as the Source of Living Water', at Acorn’s communion service on Tuesday 12^th October. “He had spent his life responding to that call” son-in-law Kevin Lewis, married to Revd Cherrill's second daughter Rosemarie, shared during his funeral tribute.

 

Revd Dr Parker disclosed that ironically Revd Cherrill changed the precise title of the sermon to 'Meeting Jesus', while en route to Acorn on the morning of his death.

“It was one of his best sermons –punchy, to the point, and left the congregation challenged, about how real was their relationship with Jesus?” said Brenda Sidey, who has served on the Acorn ministry team for five years.

 

Revd Cherrill had helped “see many through good times and bad” Pastor Alastair Forman commented at the funeral. Revd Cherrill ran a Home Group at Farnham Vineyard and served as a mentor to many.

 

“He was a most gracious, Godly, compassionate, and a very giving man, full of fun” Brenda Sidey added. Younger brother Owen Cherrill shared in his tribute “He was the epitome of a gentleman; someone who made it easier for others to believe in the love of God.”

 

Owen Cherrill amused the congregation with the story of when living in student halls, his older brother had borrowed every free-standing street sign in the centre of Portsmouth, and of how fellow students had helped cart these from room to room via the balconies as police searched along the corridor.

 

Mel Goldhawk-Smith from St Mark's Bordon, observed “he had a gentle and discerning spirit, and a gift of putting the finger right on a problem.” Owen Cherrill commented “he was calm and patient; there was not an ounce of belligerence in him, but neither would he tolerate injustice.”

 

The communion service did not resume on the 12^th . “People needed time to be still.” Later that same day the team and staff had gathered for prayers. Revd Elizabeth Knifton, the Bishop of Guildford’s adviser on healing, read from Revelation Chapter 22: verses 1-5 (ref 1: please refer to bottom of article for the Bible passage).

 

She spoke with the congregation at the following Tuesday communion, on behalf of the whole team. “He was an inspiration, a rock; he was steady; he walked with us.”

 

Further tributes were shared at lunch that day. “He was a loved brother, full of humility and grace, had no ego, possessed the gift of discernment, was a good listener, an incredible encourager, and had a lovely sense of humour behind his twinkly eyes.” “He was a kindly father” to many, “but not afraid to be black and white, and to the point.”

 

Revd Forman shared a poignant story to illustrate his level of respect for his fellow minister, during the funeral address. “When C18th revivalist George Whitefield was asked if he expected to see fellow preacher John Wesley in Heaven, he said he doubted he would... because Whitefield would be so near to the Throne of Grace, Wesley would hardly catch sight of him.”

 

Revd Cherrill studied for a BA in architecture at Portsmouth College of Art, where he returned to lecture after completing a further MA at Bath University. He practised his trade in both the private and public authority sectors in Chippenham, Swindon, High Wycombe and Oxford.

 

He attended Sarum and Wells Theological College in the ‘70s, was ordained a deacon in 1979, and priested in 1980. “It was not achievement but relationship that he treasured above all” with others, and it was the “relationship with Jesus that energised his life,” commented son-in-law Kevin Lewis.

 

Revd Cherrill ministered in Portsmouth Diocese, from 1979-83, and in Guildford Diocese from 1983 until his ‘retirement’ in 1998.

 

“Most clergy over 65 retire” Archbishop Larkin had continued at the communion address on Tuesday 19th, “but not John” it was merely a transition “to a new step.” It was gloriously “mad, he still went camping at New Wine!” But that wasn't the half of it. He was also a regular with the young pastors at the Vineyard Leaders' Conference, and would accompany Revd Dr David Brazell, co-director of The Word for Life Trust, on trips to help with the theological and leadership training of mature students in India.

 

“God put me on earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind I'll never die” Revd Cherrill used to joke.

 

(WFLT, was founded in 1997 to engage in mission, evangelism, and the ministry of counselling, prayer, and healing at home and abroad).

 

“He had a Heart for the Gospel. Thank God for people who don't compromise” remarked the Archbishop at Acorn on the 19th. “He had great integrity; this proved costly; but he was not one to waiver” concurred Revd Forman, during the funeral address.

 

“It was an honour and a privilege to serve Jesus with you” Revd Dr Parker said in closing his tribute.

 

Ultimately Archbishop Larkin believed Revd Cherrill was seeking “for more of the evident reality of the power of God.” A tangible outworking of this was seen in how “John had an ability to move across styles to allow the breadth of The Holy Spirit” to be more effectively expressed, the Archbishop observed.

 

“I expect a number of parts of the Christian Tradition will be represented on Friday” the Archbishop had concluded -a reflection of “our prophetic future -about bearing the stretcher together” sharing the load between the different branches of God’s Church. In the event, the congregation filled out the kitchen area at the back of St Marks as well.

 

Guy Pritchard, assistant pastor at Farnham Vineyard read from John 7:37-40 (ref 2), and Lorely Clark of Christians Against Poverty (CAP), from Revelations 22:1-5, -the same passage shared with mourners at Acorn in the hours after his death. Donations were divided between Cancer Research, Acorn, and Prayer for Israel.

 

The committal took place at Whitehill Cemetery, after which there was a well attended open reception at Acorn, with a two course buffet prepared by Annie's Kitchen, and slide show in the chapel of John Cherrill's life.

 

Owen Cherrill explained how his older brother met his late wife Molly Jean through the Methodist Association of Youth Clubs, “better known as The Marriage Association for Young Couples.” They leave two daughters -Sue and Rosemarie, and their son Tim, twelve grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.

 

References (NIV):

 

Ref 1: Revelations 22: 1-5

 

v1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb v2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. v3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. v4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. v5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

 

Ref 2: John 7: 37-40

 

v37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. v38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” v39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. v40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.”