Photo: Stephen Barbor (courtesy of Sylvie Barbor)
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of Stephen Barbor, who since 2014 co-chaired the Diocese of Rochester's Mpwapwa Companion Link Group with his wife Sylvie.
Mpwapwa in Tanzania is one of three links that this Diocese has with Anglican dioceses overseas and Stephen, with his wide Sylvie, contributed a huge amount to the success and flourishing of this important link within the life of the Diocese.
Sharing more about his life and faith, his wife Sylvie says that Stephen came to faith in his 30s, through a baptism course and follow up at St Stephen’s Church Tonbridge, where he worshipped ever since.
He felt the call to go on the Faith and Ministry course, and went on to study for a further two years, and was Commissioned as an Evangelist in 2000. 'Jean Kerr was a huge encouragement as Warden of Evangelists, encouraging Stephen to continue seeking God and seek opportunities to serve.'
She says these came as a Home Group leader, prayer ministry in church and at New Wine, introducing Healing on the Streets ministry in Tonbridge.
Following redundancy in 2010, doors opened for him and Sylvie to visit a Bishop in Kenya, which they did with Canon David Kitley’s encouragement. In 2011 they first visited the Diocese's Companion Diocese of Mpwapwa.
'These visits gave him the confidence to serve on mission trips in Kenya, Tanzania and India with Impact Nations - seeing amazing miracles and healings - and being part of Rooted in Jesus conferences in Kenya.'
With St Stephen’s (Tonbridge) supporting an empowerment project, CCMP, in Mpwapwa from 2014 to this day, Stephen was asked to Chair the Mpwapwa Link. This he did, with Sylvie supporting, and then becoming CoChair.
Reflecting on this, Sylvie says, 'He impacted many lives with his humour and deep faith - seeing solutions to challenges by providing water filters and reconditioning computers.
'He had such joy seeing God at work in so many lives through overseas ministry, helping with Prison Alpha and during his few years working for Child Aid, based in Bromley, bringing hope and support to disabled children and young people in Ukraine and Moldova.'
After a diagnosis of advanced pancreatic cancer in mid-February, Stephen died peacefully at home with family by his side on Maundy Thursday 2 April. His family say that 'He knew God was with him and his loved ones, and trusted in God’s promises.'
Reflecting on the news, Bishop Jonathan and Bishop Simon said:
'Stephen was a generous, Spirit-filled Christian with a global-shaped faith, always searching for signs of the coming kingdom and having a can-do attitude. He was a wonderful friend to our sisters and brothers in Tanzania, and a committed and inspiring co-chair of the Diocese's Mpwapwa link for many years.
'We are deeply grateful for his life, and we have been blessed to know him. Please pray for Sylvie and their family, that God will comfort them in their loss. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.'
Stephen's funeral will be on Thursday 30 April at 12 noon in St Stephen’s Church, Tonbridge.