Thoughtful and selfless

Elim pastor Simon Whitley went home at the age of just 34. Simon’s widow Lisa leads tributes to an inspiring father and leader

- Simon Whitley

During his ten fruitful years in ministry, Simon Whitley mobilised leaders, reunited his childhood church, led teens on overseas missions and built faith through his passion for preaching.

First serving at Coventry Elim from 2009 to 2017, he and his wife Lisa then moved to Rugby Elim, which Simon pastored until his death from cancer on 27 November last year. He leaves behind two children, Myles, five, and Edith, two.

Since his tragic death, family and friends have paid tribute to Simon’s dedicated and energetic ministry.

His grieving widow Lisa, who he married in 2009, told how they celebrated key milestones in his final months, including their tenth wedding anniversary and Myles’ first day at school in September.

“We went to London Zoo, a safari park, on a canal boat and to the seaside,” Lisa says.

“And with help from friends and family I was able to arrange for Simon to go to Formula 1 at Silverstone. Two days before he died, he bought me Christmas presents. That’s who he was: thoughtful and selfless.”

At his memorial service, Duncan Clark, senior pastor at Coventry Elim, described how Simon employed his vast array of skills.

“Simon was faithful in serving in a whole variety of ministries, from youth work, men’s ministry and church planting to preaching, leading groups, initiating creative teams and overseeing PA and media,” he said, also recalling how Simon was instrumental in moving the church into Coventry’s biggest theatre, The Belgrade, in 2016.

“Simon had a passion for forward momentum and a real dislike of just maintaining the status quo. During those eight years, we benefited from his leadership, visionary drive and energy.”

It’s a time that Lisa, who met Simon on a visit to Regents Theological College in 2007, remembers fondly.

“We loved Coventry, absolutely loved it,” she says.