Evangelist Greg Laurie never misses an opportunity to preach the Gospel and invite people to accept Jesus Christ, even as he mourns the death of his eldest son.
"You don't expect ... for something like this to happen," Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest, said Friday during his son's memorial service, which was aired over the radio and Internet.
With the passing of his son at a young age, 33, the well-known evangelist said he now has a greater heart for young people.
Directing his words to the "prodigal sons and daughters", nonbelievers and especially young people, he said, "Do you know you have eternal life? Will you go to heaven when you die? You say 'I don't know.' Let's resolve that now."
He led those who were listening in a prayer to be forgiven of their sins and accepted into the family of God. The same invitation was given on Sunday, just days after his son's death.
"This would thrill Christopher because he's in heaven," Laurie said.
Christopher Laurie was the young father of daughter Stella and his wife, Brittany, is pregnant with their second daughter.
It has been only a few years since he really committed himself to Jesus Christ and serving in the church. His death shocked family members, friends and people around the world, with thousands sending in emails offering their condolences, calling in or leaving notes on Greg Laurie's blog.
On Friday, the Laurie family and thousands of others filled the main sanctuary of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, to say goodbye to Christopher Laurie whose life came to an abrupt end in a car accident on 24 July. It was a time of mourning, comfort and celebration.
In a note of condolence, one church member wrote: "Please take comfort and know that God was there ... My wife and I were travelling on the 91 [freeway] and we started praying. There were Christians all around your son praying for him. God was there."
"Your son who is so special to God that He sent His people to care for him. God said, 'This one is mine,' [and] rolled out the red carpet. 'I'm bringing him home,'" read Skip Hietzig, senior pastor of Calvary of Albuquerque as he fought back tears.
