Dear friends, I have written you once before about the life of a man who I call my great uncle, who paved the way for many doors of opportunity for me. I know that God has me on a journey, and I am not sure where it will end, but the ending of my great uncle "Hermano Pablo" was unfortunate as he had an accident that caused his death on Thursday afternoon. His reward he has laid up in heaven. His life was lived in honor of God, and Uncle Paul lived in such a way that many would be brought to Christ. I see in him that he would not consider himself greater than others, but rather a servant who simply said "yes, Lord" and watched the Lord take him on an adventure that he couldn't have imagined in his wildest dreams. His beloved wife Linda writes about the journey in two separate books, one most recent in my mind is "My life with Hermano Pablo," where she is open and vulnerable about the struggles that they went through in their faith throughout the years. Although in years where I may have few material posessions, I consider myself one of the wealthiest women because of the family that I have. My grandmother celebrates her 95th birthday on April 1st, and I hope to be present with her. She, like her brother-in-law Paul, has fought and lived a life worth following. I pray to be even half of the woman of God that my grandmother and uncle Paul are.
Thank you Heavenly Father for your mercy and guidance to one such as I! You are faithful!
Love to you all.
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AG.org News & Information
Paul Finkenbinder, "Hermano Pablo," passes away
Fri, 27 Jan 2012 - 2:49 PM CST
Paul Edwin Finkenbinder, known throughout Latin America as "Hermano Pablo," passed away earlier this morning, Friday, January 27, 2012, in Irvine, California. He was 90.
On Wednesday, January 25, Finkenbinder celebrated his 70th anniversary with the love of his life, Linda, and with friends and family.
Finkenbinder, an AG minister, was born to missionary parents in Puerto Rico in September 1921. The missionary atmosphere of his home set the foundation for his life in ministry. He felt called by God to become a minister in 1938, at 17 years old. He married his wife, Linda, at age 20.
Their ministry began on a Spanish mission to New Mexico in 1942. The Finkenbinders and their son, Paul Jr., traveled to El Salvador as missionaries in 1943. For the first 13 years in El Salvador, Hermano Pablo taught in Bible schools, ministered in churches, directed youth outreaches and made himself available in many different areas of need all over the country.
Finkenbinder has preached in the towns and cities of Latin America for the past 70 years and thousands have accepted Christ as a result of his teaching.
In 1955, he began his first radio program, and in 1960, he produced prime-time Bible dramas for television that were reported to be the first regularly-scheduled Christian television broadcast outside of the United States. Since that time he had utilized mass evangelism - radio, television, print, crusades and special events.
In 1964 Finkenbinder returned to the United States and established Hermano Pablo, Inc. in Costa Mesa, California. Finkenbinder was best known for his radio and television program, "A message to the Conscience," which began that year. The program is now broadcast more than 6,400 times each day in 33 countries. Finkenbinder and his board of directors ensured the future of the "A Message to the Conscience" program by choosing his successor in 1996.
"Multiplied millions have been blessed by Paul's life and ministry," says Dr. George O. Wood, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God. "His voice lives on through Hermano Pablo ministries even though now his presence is with Jesus."
As soon as they are finalized, funeral arrangements will be posted at caringbridge.org/visit/hermanopablo.
Authors: Becca Dickson
Copyright ©2006 The General Council of the Assemblies of God, 1445 North Boonville Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802-1894
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