This week, a very dear friend, mentor and ministry partner, Howell Glenn went to be with Jesus.
After battling cancer for 3 years, I think I could hear Howell say, “He has delivered my soul in peace from the battle raged against me!” Psalm 55:18.
Howell was a benefactor to Love UnVeiled, not only as a financial giver, but in his whole hearted support, encouragement and council. His purpose and passion was to get the word of God to those who have never received the Word in their language.
Howell was a wise, astute and successful business man, but he was first and foremost a Kingdom builder. He was skilled in construction engineering building his own beautiful homes, which I was blessed to enjoy when staying with Howell and Charlene. Yet his heart and mind were fully intent on building God’s kingdom in the hearts of men and women.
God brought us together 6 years ago when Love UnVeiled was still a very young ministry. I had little evidence to support the vision God had given me to equip women, provide them with the Word in their own language and train them to reach women in their own countries.
Without prompting or request, Howell quietly and regularly provided the funding we needed as the ministry began to grow in India and then a closed country in S.E Asia. His faithful giving allowed us to train, equip and reach thousands of women in those countries, helping us translate and print LUV evangelism and discipleship tools for women in 6 languages.
The director of the ministry we partnered with in S.E Asia reported he has never seen such an incredible movement of God as is happening among the women in that country through the women we are training and equipping.
I thank God for Howell’s obedience and his heart to provide the financial means to help us. I am sure today, Howell is receiving a resounding “well done good and faithful servant!” for his impact among the unreached worldwide.
A volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, Howell was burdened for the broken women in his community in the Appalachians of North Carolina. He shared his concerns with me about reaching women in this area which reports the highest rate of abuse and poverty among women in the USA.
Howell wanted LUV to help equip women in the church to reach these women. Through Howell’s vision and influence, God opened doors for us to begin LUV Transformation and Multiplication training with 12 women. God is transforming and empowering these women to reach the ones Howell was so concerned about.
I last visited Howell in August. Although weak and struggling to breathe, he became animated once again, with tears in his eyes, discussing his burning passion – how can we use our gifts and resources to impact the world for Jesus?!
I owe a debt of gratitude to Howell and to Charlene for their friendship, kindness and encouragement to me in the ministry and my visits to North Carolina. Charlene will leave North Carolina to live with her daughter. This precious couple will be sadly missed.
On receiving the news of Howell going Home, the Lord comforted me with His Promise. He seemed to be whispering this over Howell, fulfilling it even as He carried His faithful servant Home;
“Because he has set his love on Me, I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.” Psalm 91:14-15
Please pray for Charlene this week as her daughter helps her move to Florida. Pray for their daughters and families traveling from Hawaii, Florida and Pennsylvania for the funeral next week in North Carolina.
–Liz