This afternoon, Monday November 17, the Body of Christ lost one of our greatest defenders of the faith.

Robert Passantino, co-founder and co-director of the Answers In Action ministry, unexpectedly passed away Monday from a heart attack at Hoag Hospital in Costa Mesa, California. After returning home from a walk, he complained of dizziness. Because of his ongoing heart problems, the paramedics were called and he was taken to the hospital. The doctors worked to save him for several hours, but were unable to keep Bob's heart going.

Bob Passantino was a wonderful son, husband, father, and friend to many. Along with his beloved wife Gretchen, he spent the last 30 years of his life dedicated to the defense of the Christian faith. His ministry was no dry scholastic exercise, however. For Bob, being a Christian apologist was about intense, friendly, and personal interaction between people. He spent most of his time interacting with individuals and small groups, both believers and non-believers, often answering their questions until the wee small hours of the evening. What set Bob apart from other Christian apologists was his generosity with the thing most difficult to be generous with--his time. His easy accessibility and willingness to spend hours with anyone honestly searching for the truth were unique and irreplaceable. His friends and family will forever fondly remember Bob's energy, Bob's joy, and Bob's love of knowledge and truth. He was always happy to see and hear from you whenever you called.

Bobs loss will be felt by the whole Body of Christ, but he will be especially missed by those who loved him most, his family and friends. Please keep his wife, Gretchen, daughters, Mary and Karen, and son, Paul, in your prayers as they go through this time of grief.

Though all of us will miss him terribly, we rest comfortably in the secure knowledge that he has gone on to his just reward eternal life with the Father through the son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Rest in peace, dear Brother.

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:21)

Services will be at 10 AM Saturday, November 22, at Prince of Peace Church, 2987 Mesa Verde Drive East, Costa Mesa, California (714.549.0521). Donations to the Lord's work through Answers In Action are requested in lieu of flowers. Everyone touched by Bob is encouraged to attend -- whether you knew him or not. This will be a celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ and of His faithful servant, Bob Passantino -- and it will be a tremendous witness to the world of the power and grace of the gospel. Focusing concern on the many non-Christians who will be there (Bob loved -- and was loved by -- so many differnt kinds of people), Bob's wife, Gretchen, said, "This will be Bob's greatest ministry coup -- people will come to remember him and get to hear the gospel in a wonderful, powerful, persuasive way!"