|PIC1|Central Hall in Westminster, London, was full to its 2,000-plus capacity on Saturday with worship and testimony in celebration of the life of Rev Rob Frost.
The Share Jesus International founder and celebrated evangelist passed away in November after being diagnosed with skin cancer earlier in June 2007.
Family, close friends and colleagues took to the stage to share their fondest - and funniest - memories of the evangelist during a nearly three hour celebration hosted by his sons, Chris and Andy Frost, who have since taken over leadership of Share Jesus.
Chris set the tone for the evening when he said, "Today is a time of celebration of what God did through our dad," before the entire congregation joined in rapturous worship with the opening hymn "Carry me".
The President of the Methodist Conference, the Rev Martyn Atkins, described Rob in a heartfelt address as a modern-day version of John Wesley, a "trailblazer" who "changed the methods of evangelism and mission but always with the heart of honouring Christ".
Rev Frost founded Share Jesus International in 1986 with a vision to unite Christians of all denominations in bringing Jesus to the nation, and he remained a firm favourite in Christian media, presenting Frost on Sunday and the current affairs panel discussion Burning Questions on Premier Radio, as well as The Frost Art Show on GodTV.
|QUOTE|One of his most celebrated achievements remains the founding of the Easter People Conference, which started with a few hundred Christians in a holiday camp in 1988 and grew to attract more than 6,000 Christians of all denominations by the time of the last Easter People in April, 2007, where Rob preached.
Marian Izzard, Deputy Director of Share Jesus, looked back with humour at the times she shared with Rev Frost, organising events such as Easter People and partaking in his well known passion for late night curries and cappuccinos.
"He had this annoying habit of changing everything at the last minute and wondering why I was stressed!" she laughed, to the nods and smiles of many in the audience whose lives had been touched by Rev Frost.
"Easter People enabled thousands of lives to be equipped," she said, adding that Rev Frost's "hallmark was his ability to build teams" and "entrust and believe in people".
Steve Wild, director of evangelism at Cliff College and a familiar face at Share Jesus events, choked back tears as he remembered his friend.
"Rob's always been such an encouragement to me," he said. "Always, always the love was flowing through. The love of Christ was overflowing in him and that's why he could share it out."
Bringing tears to the eyes of many in the audience, he added, "Rob Frost, I thank my God every time I think of you."
Rev Frost was also the visionary of Pentecost Festival, a massive run of events across central London that will take place over Pentecost weekend this year.
"Pentecost Festival was a vision Rob shared with Andy. He very much wanted to see it happen," said Ms Izzard. "It thrilled him to see the programme templates just a few days before he died."
Son Andy added, "Rob was passionate about helping people find their vocation and calling in life."
Jonathan Oloyede, Pastor of Glory House, David Heron, Chairman of Premier Radio, and actor Graham Cole from "The Bill", were among the many others who took to the stage throughout the celebration to share their memories of Rev Frost.
Later in the evening, the Superintendent Minister of Westminster Central Hall, the Rev Martin Turner, challenged the congregation to let their lives be inspired by Rev Frost by committing afresh to God.
"God longs to come back to the centre of your life," he told them. "Rob Frost surrendered all to Jesus and now sees Jesus face to face."
The evening culminated in the commissioning of Andy and Chris Frost and Share Jesus interns, with commissioning prayers from Roger Forster, Jenny Impey, Graham Horsley, Clive Jones, Katei Kirby, Pastor Oloyede and Bob Kitching.
