We give thanks for the life of our brother David Ide, and in particular for his role in the formation of Pastor Training International and as the chairman of the Trustees for the first 7 years of its operation.
When discussions started in late 2002 about formalising training activities taking place for pastors in developing countries David was approached for advice by those involved. David had been involved in mission work including EMF and Friends International (Guildford) as well as independent activity for many years in the Ukraine. Part of the training work included the provision of books, and David also had extensive experience in the printing and publication of Christian books in Germany, Spain and elsewhere.
Part of David’s gifting was his ability to inspire and support others in the work of the Gospel and under God’s guidance David held meetings throughout 2003 which resulted in PTI being registered as a charity in October 2003. David gave extensive time and expertise to guide the structure and strategic aims of PTI in its early days, and his love of God’s word and his desire for the glory of God were very evident.
David’s leadership and godly wisdom at the formation, and throughout the life of PTI, has been blessed by God in a ministry to thousands of pastors worldwide.
David’s strength as a leader has been mentioned but this stemmed from a phenomenal strength of character. He guarded PTI in its fledgling years. Early in PTI’s life the logo, now recognised as a classic which has been germane to PTI’s development under God, was the subject of considerable controversy. His firmness (and diplomacy) not only won over any critics but forged friendships.
He was a buccaneer for the Lord and combined that with a brilliant nose for a deal. At one point he quietly announced to his Directors that he had bought 30,000 French books. As the books were, apparently, brand new (and retailed at £5-7 on average), with reason, most were slightly dismayed at the ‘obvious’ crippling financial consequences on a young charity……until it was discovered that the price was just over 8p per book! One can only speculate at the impact on the ministry of (how many?) pastors in the poorest (Francophone) countries on whose shelves those books ended up.
David was a father figure to many people. What were the traits of character that made that happen and why were so many, apparently mature, men and women so upset on hearing of his death? There are obviously many reasons but the following is, possibly, key: He was extraordinarily comfortable in his own skin. He had that rare ability in a conversation to concentrate on what you were saying without the need to interrupt or ‘cap’. The result was one of the safest people living in whom to confide, offload, test a thought or share a worry. He was the Biblical personification of other-person-centred. To a man and woman, his team felt loved.
