SANTA ROSA, CA (April 15, 2013) – A memorial service was conducted earlier this year for John Strong who passed away on January 21 at age 66 following a battle with cancer.
He was born June 23, 1946, in Jackson, Mississippi, the son of Adolph and Marcine Strong and the first of four children. He graduated from Huntington Beach High School, where he met his wife, Susan, in 1964. He was commissioned in the U.S. Marine Corps following graduation from Oregon State University, serving as a pilot.
Following service in Vietnam, Strong decided to pursue ministry, earning a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1980. He served as an associate pastor at Peninsula Covenant Church in Redwood City, California; as senior pastor of Northwest Covenant Church in Mount Prospect, Illinois, and as senior pastor at Redwood Covenant Church in Santa Rosa, California.
Survivors include children Jennifer (Erik) Birkenes and Nathan (Jenna) Strong; six grandchildren; three siblings, Alan Strong, Cathy Farrar, and Jim Strong, and his mother Marcine Strong, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Bitter-sweet news to hear as John and I served together for a few years at Peninsula Covenant Church under Paul Larsen. Peace to his memory. Grace and peace to Susan and their family.
It was my privilege to work part-time as a youth minister with John during his time in Illinois. I appreciated his leadership and counsel. I never met anyone who loved to share Jesus as much as John did. May God bless me with a double portion of his passion. Peace to his memory. I offer my condolences to his family.
I was sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was very gifted and an inspiring Director of the Newcomers’ Ministry at Peninsula Covenant Church.