28 Oct 2024

PASTOR KEN CHANT

TRIBUTE

by Pastor Bill Vasilakis

CRC Churches National Chairman

On behalf of CRC Churches International, I honour Pastor Ken Chant as one of our spiritual Fathers and a genuine hero of the CRC.

Ken was deeply loved and highly respected by all of his CRC family. He was a living legend amongst us.

What an extraordinary journey Ken embarked on when he was ordained as a CRC Pastor in 1954–the year I was born.

Ken was Leo Harris’s key associate Pastor for several years. 1959 he ran the Adelaide Assembly while Leo was overseas for the year. Ken was only 25 years old and Leo trusted this totally loyal young Pastor who demonstrated great integrity.

Along with his brother Barry, Ken influenced generations of pastors and leaders not just in the CRC, but across the entire body of Christ.

Ken’s life and incisive teaching ministry through his prophetic preaching and 50 plus books touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across the globe

What an audacious vision he had when he commenced his Bible correspondence course with a handful of students in the early 1970’s from Launceston Tasmania.

What a vision!

“To take the whole Word to the whole World”

My first meeting with Ken was as a 19 year old student at Crusade Bible College.

I was awed by him then, and I still am.

I remember vividly his lectures as they were deeply impacting and they greatly helped form me as a new follower of Jesus.

I devoured every new book Ken produced and they helped me during my university years

His writings about Science & Faith being complementary and not contradictory enabled me to get a high distinction in a paper I wrote.

Though Ken was so intelligent and widely read in so many disciplines, he remained humble and had no pretences about him.

I had many discussions with Ken over the decades, and though I felt I was a dumbcluck in his presence, he never made me feel this way but was genuinely interested in my opinions on a host of spiritual matters.

I especially remember the nights in Bible College when Ken was discussing a deep concept and provoking us to think critically and question everything.   He would throw in red herrings left and right.   Some students were snowflakes and got up and walked out, unable to grasp the intellectual concepts he was imparting, enraged by his audacity to make us question everything we knew.   Then he would turn the discussion on its head and we would leave challenged, and imprinted with another gem of truth, or revelation like a sharp arrow into our hearts.   Life changing concepts that are with me to this day.

Ken loved Jesus till the end, adored his wife Alison and was so proud of his children’s & grandchildren.

Ken is in heaven now with Jesus, but he will continue to live and minister here on earth through his prolific writings.

I am zealous to ensure his key books are read by generations of future CRC Pastors & Leaders.

I have no doubts that Pastor Ken Chant will

continue to be one of our most influential CRC Ministers.

My condolences to dear Alison his helpmate of over 70 years who strongly supported her man in all his ministry endeavours

Ken mentioned to me he could not have achieved what Jesus called him to do without Alison being by his side.

Thank you Alison for allowing me to visit Ken a couple of times in his final months

It was a privilege to share with both of you and to pray together. 

Ken is having a wow of a time in heaven and no doubt was thrilled to receive Jesus welcome and embrace and to hear the words … “So well done dear Ken, my good and faithful servant, enter into the joyous realm of your Lord and master.”