It would be good to pray for the family and parish of The Rev Richard Nixey, Senior Minister of Belmore parish, whose death notice we saw in the paper today.

Saturday February 10, 2007, The Sydney Morning Herald

NIXEY, Richard Edward.
February 8, 2007. Late of
Belmore. Faithful servant of Jesus. Called home suddenly
but, not unprepared. Loving and Godly husband of Lyndell and
loving and Godly father of Simon. Brother of Peter and
Julia. Son-in-Law of Yvonne and Tom.

Aged 59 Years
With his Lord

Richard’s relatives and friends are respectfully invited to
attend his Thanksgiving Service to be held at St. Alban’s
Anglican Church, Canterbury Road and Victory Street,
Belmore, on Monday, February 12, 2007, commencing at 11
a.m. and afterwards in the Church Hall.

By request, no flowers. Donations in lieu may be sent to
the Parish of St. Albans, Belmore.

Mark, thanks for letting us know.

I didn’t know Richard that well, but I do remember when I started out preaching for the Department of Evangelism ten years ago that the first sermon I did for them was for Richard at Belmore.

My car wasn’t working and Richard drove to pick me up early that morning and then after church I stayed for lunch with his family.

He was a godly servant of Christ and I was personally very encouraged by each of my interactions with him.

I admired him from a distance enormously for his hard work for many years in a difficult part of the city.

I thank God for him and I’ll be praying for his family and for those at Belmore.

It was an enormously encouraging memorial service - and a great tribute to Richard’s life.

Highlights for me were:

* The Rector’s warden Matthew Taylor speaking of Richard leading him to Christ 14 years ago.

* Richard’s son Simon telling of learning Christ from his father.  And reminded us that ‘to live is Christ, to die is gain.’ Listening to Simon made me admire Richard even more. 

* Archbishop Peter Jensen saying there is no higher accolade for a minister than for him to be recognised as ‘a faithful gospel man and a pastor to his people.’ Dr Jensen spoke of that great vandal death, and that in the face of death we weep, groan and are troubled.  He reminded us rightly that were Richard preaching today ‘he would not be saying look at me, but rather look at Jesus - the one who has beaten death’.

I came home thanking God for Jesus, Richard, Simon, Matthew and Peter and praying for Richard’s wife Lyndell and Simon. I was standing up the back and was unable to hear the tribute that was written by Lyndell and read out by someone else (which is why I haven’t commented).

Thanks so much for the report Dominic. It must have been an amazing time.

Someone I know who once worked as his assistant minister, emailed me and said: “Richard was a humble, very hard working pastor in one of the most difficult parishes in the diocese.  He was great to work with and for when I was there as an Assistant Minister.  The parish is in shock, understandably.”

We ought to keep praying for family and church family - that they might greive well - but that our great hope will give them comfort and joy in the midst of their grief.

Richard Nixey

I was very sorry not to be able to attend the service.  I worked as Richard’s Assistant Minister when he first came to Belmore back in 1989-90.  It was a pleasure to work with him!  I remember his deep desire to reach out to those in the area who were ‘without God and without hope in the world.’ He loved people and he loved the Lord.  God used him to encourage so many in a parish in a very difficult part of Sydney for evangelism. 

I am so very saddened to have learned of Richard’s passing, but I rejoice that he is in Christ and that death has been conquered.  I will be praying for Lyndell and Simon daily.