Following news that former General Superintendent Eldin Corsie had been called home, tributes flooded in for the man who left a huge legacy for Elim and the Pentecostal Movement as a whole
Tributes have flooded in for Eldin Corsie, the veteran Elim minister who died in April.
Eldin served Elim as General Superintendent, President, National Youth Director and Bible College Principal. He led Kensington Temple in London for more than 20 years and pastored Elim churches in Burton, Newquay, Coventry, St Helens and Widnes.
During his ministry Eldin served on 35 committees and was a member of the Evangelical Alliance Council, where he at one time served as vicechairman.
At his funeral, a special tribute was led by outgoing General Superintendent John Glass, who told the packed church at Widnes, “This fine Christian gentleman and spiritual statesman has touched countless lives with his grace, godliness and warm humour.
“What can you say about a man who served with distinction in our ministry for 65 years? In my experience few – if any – have surpassed the impact and influence of this man who was a hero to so many of us. Eldin, we thank God for you.”
Eldin’s long-term friend Lyndon Bowring served as his associate in Elim’s youth department.
Lyndon told Direction, “In 1972 Eldin was invited by Elim’s Executive Council to become the Movement’s National Youth Director. He agreed to do it on two conditions: firstly, that the national youth office be moved to Kensington Temple where he’d remain a minister, and secondly that I would join him as his associate.
“I eagerly accepted. It was a fantastic honour to work with him and learn from him. He was a wonderful mentor and was truly a father in God to me. It was very rare in those days for a young man in his 20s to be preaching to hundreds of people every Sunday. I owe this honour to Eldin. He was dearly loved for his generosity and kindness.
“Whenever I read the Apostle Paul’s words in First Corinthians ‘not many of you were wise by worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth’ I am reminded of Eldin’s attitude. He never made anyone feel unwelcome, so Kensington Temple attracted more than its fair share of ‘unusual’ and needy people! Thousands of people worldwide are indebted to him for his preaching of the gospel having responded and been encouraged in their Christian discipleship.
“Eldin was widely respected in the evangelical world for his wisdom and statesmanlike leadership. He held many senior positions in the wider Christian Church as well as in Elim. He served on the Nationwide Festival of Light Committee for example; when he was away I represented him there, which resulted in me becoming the Executive Chairman and my fulltime involvement with CARE.
“He was a pioneer Pentecostal leader – one of the first to embrace reformed theology without denying traditional Pentecostal doctrines – and loved to attend Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones’ regular Friday night Bible school. The firm foundations he laid in the early years were crucial to Kensington Temple’s subsequent success – it is now one of the most renowned Pentecostal churches in the world. “Celia and I are eternally indebted to him and Vivien for taking us under their wing and adopting us as spiritual daughter and son.”
Respected theologian and former Principal of London Bible College, Derek Tidball, added: “Eldin Corsie was one of God’s gentlemen!
“I enjoyed his company, profited from his godliness and envied his easy, courteous, humble and at all times encouraging manner.
“He has left a huge legacy, not only as Elim pastor and Bible College Principal, but in the foremost role he played in bringing the classical Pentecostal Movement into closer relationship with other evangelicals, not least through his strategic participation in the Evangelical Alliance. He really did make a difference, and we praise God for it.”
See the July 2016 issue of Direction Magazine for more news from the Elim Church
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