The Loss Of A Dear Brother and Friend

On Tuesday of this week i was told by Jeanne of the tragic and heartbreaking news of a dear brother and friend, Jay Calisher. Jay and I first met "way back when" as I was leading the Men's Ministry at CC Livingwater and he was the Assistant Pastor for Pancho Juarez at CC Montebello. We had hooked up and we all wanted to do a joint Men's Retreat in the mountains of San Bernardino. What a blessing it was to get to know the guys at CCM and praise the Lord together! Jay and I did all the behind the scences set up, planning, praying...and i made quite a few trips to CCM for meetings and the like. It was through this the Lord formed a friendship that has lasted to this day. Since coming to Virginia, our communication had been more infrequent as of late...but we always caught up and prayed and laughed and worshipped together at the annual Senior Pastor's Conference at Murrieta. The guys from CCLW and the guys in Japan and Okinawa always sit in the same place at the conference, and it just so happened that Jay always sat in the same section just across from me! I think this year's conference, although a blessing to gather, will be one of thought and lamentation because i won't see him in that same seat any longer. I will miss my brother and co-laborer! Our prayers go out to his wife Valerie and family. May the Lord strengthen them!

I said earlier Pastor Jay was the assistant to Pastor Pancho at CC Montebello...

here are the words from his Pastor:

"For most of my day it has been a very busy and delightful one; buying last minute travel necessities, packing, getting ready to depart tomorrow to Tokyo, Japan, for a week-long pastors/leadership conference.

However, a few minutes ago, my heart jerked downwardly and my spirit sagged to the floor in disbelief. I have been notified that Jay Calisher, former assistant pastor of Calvary Chapel Montebello, was found dead this afternoon in his north San Diego home.

Millie put a call through and made contact with Valerie, Jay’s wife. We personally conveyed, on behalf of Calvary Chapel Montebello, that we will be committed in praying for the Calisher family during this horrific valley of pain and despicable grief.

Brandon, Danielle, Valerie, we’re with you. We taste your tears. We hurt. We love you.

Pancho and family, and the hundreds upon hundreds of other CCM’ers.

Mercy triumphs over judgment, James 2:13"