Reverend William Peter Church, 87, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 18, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Suzanne Church.

Father Peter Church, the Executive Director of First Coast Christian Outreach, was born in Cape Town, South Africa.

He graduated from Rand Technical College in Johannesburg and followed his Father and Grandfather in the Gold Mining Industry.

During his high school days, he achieved notable success as an athlete, and following graduation, he became a National Provincial track and field champion.

Three months after the championships, with high hopes as an athlete and great expectations as a student in the Official Training Program in the gold mines, Peter was trapped in a serious cave-in accident in a gold mine.  He was kept alive in the disaster by a miracle and rescued in a remarkable series of events.

Seriously injured, and initially paralyzed from the waist down, Peter spent an entire year in hospital following the accident.  Another miracle of Divine intervention resulted in return of life and use to his legs.

During the long process of recovery, Peter heard the unmistakable call of God to full time Christian Ministry.  During four years as an outpatient, he enrolled at the Baptist Theological College in Johannesburg and studied at the Rand University.  He graduated and was ordained to the ministry five years after the accident.  His ambitions as an athlete and a career in the gold mines were unrealized, but through this experience, he discovered the purpose of God for his life.

He has served the Lord as a pastor, a teacher and an evangelist.  In 1970, he formed a modern media ministry in South Africa which represented all the major Christian film producers in the world.  Peter was invited to speak on the power of the film for evangelism at the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelism in 1974.  His ministry in South Africa included organizing major evangelistic events and organizing and hosting renowned speakers to tour the country.  Guests included Richard Roberts, Nicky Cruz (The Cross and the Switchblade), Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and Pat and Debbie Boone.

In 1974, he began an international ministry of preaching and teaching and traveled extensively in the United States.  Throughout his years of ministry, The Reverend Church has been used of God to establish a number of churches and serve as a consultant to others.

Over a period of 50 years, he has undergone several major surgeries to his back, knees and shoulders.  Though seriously affected physically, he has enjoyed the satisfaction of serving God through the years, preaching and teaching the eternal truths which have anchored his own faith.

Before his demise, he resided in Jacksonville, Florida with his wife of 20 years, Suzanne.  Rev. Church served the community as the Founder and Director of First Coast Christian Outreach.  He organized the Greater Jacksonville Prayer Breakfast, the Men That Matter Outreach and the original Jacksonville Adopt-A-School Initiative.  His ministry of applying the principles of John 17:21 included building relationships, prayer and fellowship among the pastors and churches of the city.

A private family internment will commence on Friday morning, August 23, 2019 in the Arlington Park Cemetery, 6961 Lone Star Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32211.  A memorial service will be held in his honor on Friday, August 23, 2019 at 3 PM Mt Sinai Baptist Church, 2036 Silver St., Jacksonville, FL 32206, Pastor Reggie Gundy officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32211 (904) 724-6384 . Please sign the family's online guestbook at https://www.arlingtonparkfuneralhome.com/