January 31st – update
January 31, 2013 73 Comments
KENT JACK HUMPHREYS
6/29/46 – 1/30/13
Lover of God – Lover of People
Dear Friends, our sweet Kent has been healed. God took him to Heaven last night about 10:00 He ran an excellent race, finished it well, and I have confidence that Jesus welcomed him as His “good and faithful servant”.
I am not sure that Heaven is ready for the boisterous personalities of both Kent and Kent’s father, Jack, but they are together again, (probably figuring out statistics about something). His sister, Jan, whom he dearly loved, is again giving him hugs, and undoubtedly showing him around with great pride.
Although it is somewhat comforting to know that he is perfectly well and healthy, and to picture his reunions, our hearts are already sad with the grief of missing him. Please thank God with me for his peaceful release, and keep praying for our family as we make such major adjustments. How quiet and slow life will seem!
Living with him has been a passionate, energetic, and active journey. It seems hard to think that purposeful life could go on without him. But, true to his nature, he gave me a purpose before he left. After the health traumas of 2 1/2 years ago, he became very focused. He felt an urgence to finish putting on paper the thoughts that God had given him to share over the years. He finished the drafts of two series of books. I will finish those books for him, as he knew I would. Isn’t that just like him?
Here is an interesting fact: the next book we were going to work on was volume 2 of “Encouragement For Your Journey Alone: Meditations of Hope for Widows”. I will get encouragement from him every day for awhile! He always did take care of me. Well, I am now officially rambling through a foggy brain, so I will quit for today.
I love all of you, and thank you for upholding us through this journey. You have been with us for years, and I am asking God to bless you abundantly in my behalf. The memorial service for Kent will be next Tuesday at Crossings Community Church. The funeral home is Vondell Smith and Sons on N. McArthur in Okla. City. If you can attend the service, come find me after and get a hug.
Love, Davidene and family
About kenthumphreys
Lifestyle Impact 
From South Carolina! What a life well lived! I met Kent at The Cove in Asheville. He almost seemed kind of shy, until you started talking to him about Christ in the workplace. And then.. well he was no longer shy. We have listened to him at conferences and admired and respected him from afar. He had an impact. He has a legacy! Thank you Lord for a life well spent!
Davidene, Now I know why the LORD had prompted me to pray even more for you and your family last night and this morning. Thank you for this sorrowful, yet rejoicing update!! Monty and Iw ill continue to pray for all of you. I have added my widow friends to Kent’s list, for which they are very thankful.
Psa 112:7 She does not fear bad news nor live in dread of what may happen for she is settled in her mind that Jehovah will take care of her. TLB
I would love to have seen the smile on Jesus’ face when Kent entered His presence! They have always had a wonderful time together, and now they won’t be interrupted by life stuff!! I miss Kent already, but we are loving you more than ever.
Gratefully,
Doug & Janet
Hugs. Praying for all of you…
Such a great Godly man. One who has made a major impact on my life. Heaven has gained a great warrior of the faith and those who are still here on earth are left challenged to live as diligently for our Savior as He did. Love you Davidene – you and your entire family are in my prayers through this time of transition, sorrow and also joy knowing he is healed and worshipping at the feet of our Father today.
Davidene, my heart goes to you and the hole family. Your standing Kent all his years on earth is exemplary. your courage and Faith in communicatingnthroughnthis medium made me to pray ore than ever before. I am confident that heavens isnrejoicing and welcoming Kent home and gallantly too. We will continue to follow the Biblical teachings he gave us in Nigeria and multiply laborers and leaders for the harvest fields of the world. his Book; Shepherding Horses is a blessing to many Nigerian Pastors.
praying for you
Zach Barki, Director, The Navigators Nigeria
Thanks, Davidene,
We are grieved at the news but glad at his healing & joyous entry into Heaven. Please keep us posted of your days ahead. We want to hear about your journey & to remember with you the life you shared and Kent’s continuing legacy. For you….there’s still a race to be run.
So so grateful I got to know Kent (never met him, but my husband heard him speak at the Kingdom Professionals conference at SWBTS and spoke to him afterward….life-changing, for him and all our team).
Praying for you, the family, & all his friends,
Debbie
IMB Marketplace Advance
imgbsm.com
A life well lived running passionately towards His Father. He greatly encouraged us in our efforts at Women Doing Well. Our prayers are with you, Davidene, and the rest of the family.
Hallelujah! Kent is free! No more tubes! No more struggle to breathe! Thank you Lord Jesus for the privilege and blessing of knowing Kent and for your mercy and grace in seeing him through the faithful end of the race that you set before him! Press on and through Davidene, Bonnie and I will continue to stand with you.
Buck,
Agree to stand in prayer for the Humphreys Family.
Hap Kellogg
Davidene, Ellen and I grieve with you and your family and friends yet rejoice in a life well lived for Christ. Kent truly did model Jesus for so many of us. Blessings to you and the family.
Davidene, my morning drive to take Piper to day care runs along a side road that comes up over a big hill where we usually get blinded by the yellow light of the sun. Today when we came over the hill our eyes were kissed with this beautiful white, clear sunlight. I’ve never seen the sun be so white; it was gorgeous. I felt right then and there that was Kent shouting in his boisterous/I can barely contain myselft type of sound, “My God! Davidene, Lance, Kami, Kenda, EVERYBODY you gotta see this! It’s beautiful!”
What a life to be praised and my oh my how God sincerely uses Kent, you and your family to bring others closer to Him. May God bless you, Davidene. May He Bless your children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. Thank you.
Sadden by the departure of Kent from his earthly suit but grateful he is free from the pain. Mike and I prayed last night for Kent and the entire family. I know God will be honored and glorified through all of this. May He comfort each of you as only He can do.
Love and blessings.
Leann and Mike McGee
Praise the Lord for a life well lived. Thanks to the Lord for comfort and release from pain and suffering. Peace from the Lord to you and family in this time of transition.
“A life well lived running passionately towards His Father” ~ an excellent description!
May the Lord bless you and your family and give you peace and strength during this transition in your lives.
Dear Davidene,
Your words were beautiful! Kent was truly a man after Gods heart. It’s evident in how he lived and how he took care of you! We will be praying for you and your family!
Love,
Randy and Jennifer Creech
He has made a difference for many people. We are grateful for all he has done for FCCI.
May the God of Comfort and Peace cover you and your family entirely. In Jesus Name.
Dear Davidene, Geoff and I are so grieved but yet rejoicing in the reality of his arrival in heaven. Seeing his Lord, reuniting with family and friends must be an amazing experience. His life is a testimony of God’s love, compassion, truth, and a spirit filled walk. The Shepherding Horses meetings all across India in 2012 was a climactic ministry investment. Continuing on his life and wisdom will be his books. We love you and will hold you and the family up continually. loving, Sherry and Geoff Jordan
Davidene and family –
Thank you for sharing Kent with the world during his time on earth. As one of many he has impacted, I will look forward to getting reconnected when we are all Home. May God grant you peace and comfort in the meantime.
As former Board Chairman of both CBMC USA and CBMC International, having first been introduced to you precious husband and his dad at their workshop at the Anaheim Billy Graham Crusade workshop they conducted in 1985 (I think), I join the many in honoring a servant-leader who finished exceedingly well. He was an effective model for me and for thousands! And that required an amazing partner for all the years you two had together. We bless and thank YOU!
Davidene, Joyce and I extend our sympathy to you and your entire family.
Davidene, may God touch and heal your broken heart and encourage you in the days to come. You & your family will be in our prayers as the Lord puts you on our heart. Kent’s generosity with his time, talents & treasure was a great example to us and many others.
Davidene and family… Praying God’s comforting hand over each of you, today, tomorrow and years to come. Thank you for your Christ like example and we all thank God for sharing Kent with the world.
Mrs. Humphreys,
Few men have touched my life like Kent. I thank the Lord God for men like him, who’s shoulders other men like me can only hope to stand. Kent’s life and message will continue to impact others until our Lord and Savior returns or calls us home.
Davidene, one day while in college at OU, I received my first “dose” of the Humphreys anointing and strong spiritual heritage when I met Lance. Well over a decade later, I and now my family are encouraged daily by your family whether over a meal with Lance’s family, a visit with Kent at SALLT, or through a reading of Kent’s (and your) many books (just the other night I was encouraged by reading the Chapter about worry in Letter’s to Kami). I thank God for the way in which He casts his grace and mercy upon His people through the Humphreys Family. You and your precious family are in our thoughts and definitely in our prayers during this time. Sincerely, Todd Glass
Mrs. Humphreys,
I did not know your husband, but recently have met one of his friends that he mentored. We prayed for your husband in our FCCI class just last week and through some of our conversations, I learned a lot about your husband. Thank you for sharing your joy and sadness all at the same time. I look forward to reading the new books that will be coming out and would like to encourage you in this way: what a fortunate woman to have a husband that loved the Lord as he obviously did. As I read the books, I hope to better know the two of you as a couple. Thank you for sharing your heart.
What a life lived well. He lived every day to it’s fullest for God’s glory. I am one of multiplied many who Kent’s life impacted. He latched onto me over thirty years ago and never let go. I was honored that you both called me friend. Cheryl and I love your family dearly and will continue to pray for you guys.
Davidene and family,
All of us at Crown thank God for the life and legacy of Kent. He leaves an on-going impact on all he served. Our prayers are with you in the days ahead.
Davidene and family… Praying God’s comforting hand over each of you, today, tomorrow and years to come. Thank you for your Christ like example and we all thank God for sharing Kent with the world.
Oh, my dear girlfriend Davidene,
Our hearts are broken for you all, and our tears are relentless. “Precious in the sight of The Lord is the homecoming of His saints”. This so was written for Kent.
Kent was one of our very few examples of how to live a sacrificial life, serving The Lord and His kingdom, and totally enjoying the journey. We will miss him on earth, greatly, but rejoice with you of the hope we have that one day we will all be reunited as Kent is with his family gone on before him. “For this we have Jesus.”
We send our love, and will be praying continuously for you and your family.
JD will try to get a flight to the church, as he needs to be in KC on Wednesday anyway.
Sending a warm hug Davidene, girlfriend!
Love
Barb ( and JD)
Kent has been a blessing to so many people. We were fortunate to share a message from Kent, called Pass it on at our Africa Arise Conference. We asked him to give through a legacy message, something deep from his heart which he wants to leave behind. It has really blessed many leaders in South Africa and believe it will touch you too.
We have uploaded the video below
https://vimeo.com/channels/tal/36694337
Whenever a great saint of God passes, I feel like I do right now: Joyful for him and sad for us. Davidene, I appreciate you two so much for the visits to Our Lord’s Community Church. I know Kent’s message has always been to business people to see themselves as missionaries in the workplace, but the thing that impressed me most was how joyfully the two of you faced the nearness of this day. You truly exemplify Paul’s mindset when he said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Love, Jim
Loved Kent and his books! Will miss him until heaven!
Davidene, we met briefly in Thailand in 2004 at the Lausanne Forum when Kent came to work on the Business as Mission track. You both had such an impact on me in a very short space of time. Kent was a pioneer and a true gentleman among us… I am not sure I have ever met such a vivid example of servant leadership than I saw in Kent. It still sticks out in my mind years later and it was just a short week of meetings. I can’t imagine the impact Kent has had over the years – what an amazing legacy! Despite his health challenges, Kent was still willing to join the recent work of the BAM Think Tank and to share his wisdom – we shall miss his participation. Sad to think that we won’t get to meet again on this earth, but can imagine great celebration in heaven. My prayers are with you and your family. Love, Josie
May the Father’s deepest comfort and the richness of His Presence be more real to you Davidene than the air arround you. My prayers and the prayers of the Kimray family are with you all.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing away of Kent as God did not want him to suffer any more pain. He has finished his race and he has been promoted to glory. You and all of us has a blessed hope that one day we will meet him clothed with glory. I had the privilege of working with him on his last three visits to Hyderabad, India including one few months ago.
May God comfort you, strengthen you and keep you as you move on. My prayers are with you.
Rev. Dr. P.P. Johnson, State Overseer, New India Church of God, Hyderabad
Past National President, International Christian Chamber of Commerce India
Davidene and family, I am saddened by the news that my friend Kent has departed this earth. I know He is in a better place but those of us left behind will greatly miss him. Two of his many qualities stand out to me: One is his consistency, commitment to His Savior, family, the needs of others and his unwavering confidence that the world could be changed for the better through business men and women. Secondly was his energy and enthusiasm for the things of the Lord. Our prayers are with you and the family.
Walt Wiley
Winning With Encouragement
Sadness and joy come to my mind, sadness because it was a great man of God and joy because he graduated with honors from the serve so that leaves us a great example. Davidene receives a hug Hispanic FCCI team and our family Olivas.
Dear sweet Davidene: Sue and I grieve with you over Kent’s passing, but rejoice that he is now healed and with his Lord and Savior. Some of the greatest memories of my life involve Kent and the fantastic missionary journeys we took all over the word. He was truly a tender warrior and great friend. What a wonderful legacy he leaves. Thank you for allowing us to go with you and Kent over these last days. We love you and will continue to lift you and your family up over the coming days. God bless! Sue and Bobby Mitchell
Our Lord closes a very special chapter in the book of my life as this special friend joins him on the next stage of eternity. How I will miss adding further cherished accounts of the privilege of knowing and loving this dear Brother! As Kent knew, and you do also, if needed Nancy and I are close by to lovingly assist your special family.
I can almost hear a loud “Ya-Hoooooo” as Bruce Alleman and many others bear hugged Kent at the pearly gates! What a great man who heavily influenced my life. Davidene, you are one of the strongest women I know. I am confident that God’s strength will sustain you in this new stage of life! Prayers from the Rader’s.
We do now understand the urgency with which Kent showed in having lunch with us during the last FCCI conference in LA. We had a great time with him together with his dear and wonderful wife Davidene. The words of wisdom and advice from him during our short meeting shall stay with us for a long time. May God Himself grant Davidene the strength and Grace to go through this transition period. Francis & Josephine, Nairobi Kenya
Kent was a true encouragement to me. He had the courage and faith to to step out and support me in a very tangible way for which I am deeply grateful. One of the last emails I got from him was just two weeks ago. He was thoughtful enough to send a word of encourgement about an article I wrote. He wrote, “Thanks Carter Great job”. I will long treasure it.
Our sincere condolences. The OKC Christian community, and the world as well, has lost a great leader. But, heaven rejoices! May the Lord hold you and bless you in the days to come.
What an amazing man Kent was! I truly was blessed that God allowed my path in life to cross Kent’s! A wonderful friend & boss. I will miss his exciting stories of sharing Christ with strangers and him falling off a balance ball in the office with us girls! I will deeply miss him. May God wrap you in His loving arms and give you peace during this time.
Davidene, our family has been and will continue to pray for you and yours. Kent and Brian Banks were the reason I moved my family to OK from Texas in 2005 to join American Health Partners. I will always cherish the times we spent together. That includes our Christmas lunches with you. What a blessing it has been to receive Kent’s books that you always edit. May God grant you and the entire family continued strength to endure this wonderful, peaceful and yes difficult journey called life. Heaven is better off with Kent in it. That won’t make it easy for us still here on earth, but it sure gives us something to look forward to. In Him, David Dobbs and Family
On behalf of the YWAM Community in Colorado Springs I wish to express our sincerest condolences in Ken’s passing. We were so bless the last few years to have him join us each June at our annual BAM gathering. While he will be missed, what a joy it is to know he is with Jesus today!
Davidene – Praising the Lord for Kent’s life and the impact he has had on me and so many others. May you remember the joyful times, the times at the lake, the laughter and the smiles. May you also find comfort in knowing that some many others care and are praying for you, your family and friends.
Praise God for the life of Kent! May God’s comfort and peace be with you and your family.
Davidene, May God comfort you in this time! Kent has had a powerful impact on my life and I try to follow his example daily. I will see you for next week, joining you in celebrating his life!
So very sorry to hear this. May Kent rest in peace. Keeping your and your family in my prayers.
We were blessed to hear Kent speak at last fall’s FCCI conference. Thank you LORD for servants that love Jesus and strive to serve HIM daily in work and in life. Praise the Lord and see you soon in Glory!
With Love,
Rick & Deb Teeny
Davidene, may God give you such strength and encouragement at this time. Kent was an amazing man. He had a huge impact on my life and pray that even in his home going so will his life’s dreams and passions be extended even further to touch many more thousands of peoples lives.
Davidene,
Consider yourself hugged in the loss of your best friend and wonderful husband Kent. Tears can’t express the love we and so many people for you and Kent. Our loss is his gain as he Graduates to be with the Lord and Jack and leaves behind the suffering and pain. The legacy he leaves was his modeling of being sold out for Jesus; passionate to lead His company and FCCI like Jesus would; and caring for others at his expense to understand their calling to become Kingdom leaders in the marketplace. Kent’s get it done mindset, sense of urgency and follow-through in his word was quite an example. The baton has been passed. May we carry it to the finish line like Kent. We love you!
Dear Davidene,
May his gentle soul rest in peace and the bossom of The Lord. He lived an awesome life and touched so many souls.Myself and my husband Bayo met him in Nigeria when he came to minister at our church ,he made such a Great impact in our lives.And since then we have been receiving all your mails. We are happy to have known you. You an amazing woman,and I have been so so blessed by you. Your strength is God empowered. May The Lord be with you and your family.You will always be in our thoughts . We love you loads,but God loves you more. Bayo and Erem karunwi
Davidene and family, our hearts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Thanks for your demonstration of faith. May you draw strength and comfort from the only One who can provide that at such times. Nancy and I regret we will not be able to attend a memorial service for Kent as we are in Australia and New Zealand until February 24, but we will be thinking about you and praying for you.
Words are hard to generate as I try to express my mixed emotions at this time. I have great relief knowing my brother is no longer having to fight for each breath. I rejoice at the image of him taking in the sights of heaven and his first sighting of Jesus on His throne! I groan at the thought of not sharing any more times of joy and fun with Kent. He truly blessed me so many times with his generosity and kindness. I will always be thankful for the privilege of having Kent as a brother in Christ and friend.
This was posted by Joe Pellegrin. Sorry about the name error.
What a LIFE (John 10:10) He lived before us, reflecting so effectively the Light of His Lord and Savior- and what a reunion he must be having! Our love, thoughts and prayers go out to you Deannie, and your family-you and Kent blazed a trail for your younger brothers and sisters in Christ to follow-thank you, thanks to Kent, and thanks to our God for using you both- May He surprise you with His Presence in intimate and tangible ways in the days ahead-Fletch
I rejoice with you that dear Kent is in heaven with Jesus!!! He is whole and healthy!
The thought I had today in my prayers for him and for you was that he had fought a good fight!!!
He did run the course and finished his race!
How good of the Lord to provide you with a project.. It will bless you–
see you Tuesday–lots of love- Anna
xxxxxx
Praying for mercy, comfort and grace for your dear family. It was an exceeding priviledge to know and minister with your beloved husband and father. Thank you for your transparency sharing his heart in preparing you for these days. What an encouragement he was and will remain to the saints! God bless!
Davidene, My heart feels a mixture of grief and joy today by learning of Kent’s homecoming. I know he is rejoicing with Jesus and I am so thankful for that but this world needs more people like Kent. And he was such a blessing to so many. I have a 2 year old son and this has caused me to really think about how I am raising him and pray that God will raise him up to follow Jesus and lead others to live a life surrendered to Him. I was in college in the early 90’s at OU and went to the BSU. Kent came several times to speak to us and I would always be so encouraged and challenged to trust more fully in the Lord. One time he passed out 3X5 cards and asked us to write down our prayer requests. He said he would be praying for each one during his time of running. That really stuck with me. I was really blessed by that. My husband and I know different members of your family and they are true blessings. I am so sorry for your loss. I want you to know that I will be praying for you and your children and grandchildren that God will hold you in His arms and comfort you each day and give you peace and rest during this difficult time.
Mrs Humphreys, your husband is one of the very few I remember as a speaker at the OU BSU some 30 years ago. I praise the Lord for men like him, who chose to invest their lives in others. May God bless you and your family in this difficult time.
Davidene and family, How we thank God for the privilege of knowing Kent and you! You will remain in our prayers in this difficult time of transition, even as we thank God for His faithfulness in receiving our brother, Kent, into his full presence.
With great affection!
It was my privilege to meet Kent, and to spend time hearing his heart for The Lord, and for faith at work. Through his generosity, and natural personality for connections, he’s brought me into relationship with people whom I otherwise might never have met. Kent, Well Done Good and Faithful Servant!!
Davidene and family… Praying God’s comforting hand over each of you, today and always .. Thank you for your Christ like example and we all thank God for sharing Kent with Christians and Marketplace leaders.With blessings and love,Salim Mayeki Shaban Regional Pastor Christ The King Community Church Bungoma, Kenya
Dear Davidene,
Thank you for keeping your blog going and allowing us to read the amazing comments from so many people that were blessed by Kent’s loving on them. We continue to pray for you all and hold you up to our Heavenly Father , knowing that He is carrying you step by step, moment by moment, and that Kent will for ever be there with you in spirit.
I was able to arrange JD’s travels so as to attend Kent’s service on the way. The disappointment to me is that I cannot travel with him. I was wondering if the church would consider having a Live Streaming of the service, if they have the technology for it. Forgive me for asking, but it was just a thought for many of us who live too far away. My heart and prayers will be with you, regardless.
“Bless you, girlfriend!”
Love
Barb
ps….I’ll never forget the moment you first said that to me in my kitchen, as it really touched my heart that you would be so kind to me.
Davidene and family,
We are saddened by the loss of Kent but rejoice with you in the impact his life made on so many. Since I met Kent in 2004, he has been such an encourager and a model of humility, integrity, and Kingdom collaboration. I’ll always treasure the time we spent together in Vietnam and the rich deposits he made in my life. May the God of comfort strengthen you.
Gratefully commissioned,
Jonathan Shibley and the Global Advance team
Davidene and dear family,
We have been so blessed to have known Kent, a giant of a man in so many wonderful ways! Pete and I are praying for you and your loved ones, knowing the God of all comfort will pour His comfort and grace out to you during these days! Sending you big hugs and prayers!
In His love,
Pete & Irene Costilow
Is. 41:10
Davidene, I shall always be grateful to you for your help in encouraging me to write and finish my book, God People Money. I was honored beyond words when I met Kent for the first time and as soon as I said my name, he knew who I was because of you. He was so kind and supportive so I am honored that I did get to meet him in person. I was first blessed by you both when I read Show and then Tell. God bless you and your family as you enter this new phase of life’s journey.
Susanne Sartelle
Greenville, N.C.
Deeny, remembering your family & just remembered a testimony about your seeing a bird outside when Kent was in Vietnam. May God be so very close & precious to you during this time. That testimony was years ago at NHBC.
Prayers,
Sue Ann Wagner
Davidine, I had read your note about Kent going in to the hospital. I then began to pray that the Lord would help Kent be able to move forward learning to speak again. Now e know that the Lord had other plans — He wanted Kent to be at His side. What a joy it is for Kent. I will always remember his encouraging nature, His love for the Lord and for God’s work on this earth. He continues to be an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing him with all of us who had the privilege to work with him. And thanks for allowing me to be a part of one of his books. May the Lord keep His hand on you and give you His peace.
Bob Varney