I am not writing this article as a “goodbye”, for I don’t need one. I shall see him very soon. However, I would like to take time to reminisce on some memories I have of Bro. Curington, and what he means to me.
He has always been a leader for me, as long as I have known him. He was someone I looked up to very much. I wanted what he had. I now know I can have what he had. That “thing” I wanted so badly was the presence of Christ. He possessed it in great measure, and it was obvious to everyone who knew him.
My favorite memories are when he would call me up for technical “geek” questions. I loved the opportunity to help him with this. He entrusted me with so many areas of his digital life, and I enjoyed it to the fullest. I remember heading over to his house one night to set up his router, and also to get his iPad hooked up to his tv. What started as a job turned into a fellowship and counseling opportunity. That was the best thing about him. If you needed something, he would make time for you, no matter how busy he got, or petty your problem.
I was with him during soul winning on that saturday he passed on. He picked me out of everyone else he could have chosen. I am still not quite sure why, but will be forever grateful he did. I relished the time then, and will cherish it now for as long as I live. We spoke extensively in his car as to what I would be helping him with in the following weeks, and even for the next couple months. He expressed his hopes for me for the next periods of my life. I was struck by this as being odd, as he didn’t normally explain all this to me until it was time to do it. I can think on these things now, and move forward with them in the times ahead.
You see, Steve Curington’s vision did not pass with him. Far from it! His visionary attitude was communicable, and was passed on to each one of those he came into contact with. His absolute enthusiasm was infectious. He was always about the work of the ministry. He passed on that legacy to many others, and I have seen his vision for freedom for all aflame in the hearts of many many men and women across this country.
Reformers Unanimous is far from dead. It has only begun its’ much needed ministry. We shall continue to press on as Mr. Curington would have us do were he here. As a staff, we feel saddened and hurt with our loss, but know God has a plan, and will bring it to pass. I am giddy with anticipation as to this next chapter of ministry in my life, and in the lives of others.
(God) hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 2 Tim. 1:9
I love you Bro. Curington, and will miss you much!! Our loss is truly heaven’s gain.
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Leave your favorite memories in the comments if you’d like!
Well put Brother, well put. I wept in front of my co-workers who only see the strength and will I possess in Christ. It was as much a surprise to them as his passing was to me. I will never forget the love for the unlovable he exuded in such fantastic bounty. He was a magnet for the lost and suffering that shone through the darkest nights of our dismal lives lived in despair and contempt for our very own selves like a lighthouse shining through the thickest fog banks guiding home our lost vessels of self.
The myriad of behavioral modifications he posed to me has made me able to stand against some of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make. He truly helped me to understand the very meaning of having an “Umbrella Fella” in my corner. Those who care not to hear the Gospel seem to be, in fact, drawn to the testimony he lived and hang on every word as I speak with such passion as only he could conjure in me.
He was not only an example of broken bondage and freedom in Christ, but a perfect representation of what obedience in the most capable way possible in our fleshly, human forms.
To think about it, I believe myself to be so lucky and privileged to have walked with 1 of the top 100 greatest and most loving, honorable, charismatic, selfless, true-to-his-word men that has EVER walked this planet… even if but for a glimpse of time.
My heart bleeds for those in the home and even worse for those who won’t have the opportunity to hear him preach Chapel, lead RU, inspire the uninspired and lead the charge to find the hurt, lost and needy.
I like to think that he’s STILL casting his Crowns at our Savior’s feet as our Lord Christ brims from ear to loving ear.
I, like you Andrew, was able to spend some very memorable time with Bro Curington. I was introduced to this man, lying down on bare concrete, in the suicide ward of a maximum security jail in middle Tennessee. I was at the end of my life as far as I was concerned. I was given a book by the name of Nevertheless I Live: by Steven Boyd Curington. I read this book and after the first couple of pages I realized that I was going to have to ask the Jail Chaplain for a KJV Bible. The red headed guy (I only knew that because of a picture of the author and his family on the back cover) started off by telling the reader of three people he was dedicating this book to. First and foremost was his Father Delmar Curington. Secondly, his business mentor Dan Arnold, and finally Pastor Paul Kingsbury, his spiritual leader and Pastor. I read this book word for word and by the end of it I was meditating on I had learned the 10 principles to find freedom from addiction, and I was memorizing and more importantly meditating on Bible Verses! I couldnt believe it! I now had a better understanding of the Truth that makes free! That Truth was Jesus Christ! 2 weeks before I was released from that Maximum Security Jail I was given a newspaper by the name of the Sword of the Lord. As I read through the articles of the paper, an advertisement caught my eye for North Love Baptist Church and none other than THE Pastor Paul Kingsbury. This was the same Pastor that was in the dedication and mentioned throughout the book. Right Below that was an ad for the Reformers Unanimous Men’s School of Discipleship. That was it! I had learned in the book that Discipleship was important, for you could have all of the information on the world, bit if you didn’t have the Discipline to Apply that information, you would never know or have knowledge of Jesus Christ. This is what I wanted, and this miraculously is also via a unique set of circumstances, would be my future. On May 19th 2009 I was released from jail and the very next day I was in Rockford Illinois at the RU Schools of Discipleship. 7 months later I graduated the RU Men’s home. In this home, otherwise known as Adversity University, I had been Conformed, Transformed. I, a life long drug addict had been Reformed! On my Graduation day, Mr. Steve Curington walked up to me, looked me in the eye, and said “Cliff, I believe that the Good Lord has called you to full time ministry”. I shook my head, for at that time I had known since reading this great man of God’s book, that God was calling me to ministry, more specifically the ministry of Reformers Unanimous. So, it has been almost a year since I graduated the program of RU. In that time, with Bro Curington as my mentor, I have seen many great things, I have learned how to be forgiven (by Gods Grace through Bro Curington). I have learned how to forgive and Love others. I have learned there are 3 types of Love. I have learned how to rap…, I mean rhyme. (Bro Steve was a master annunciator). He genuinely loved and cared for the hurting, addicted people (saved and unsaved) from across the nation and ru In to the world. Out of the Three people that Bro Curington had mentioned in the dedication for his book Nevertheless I Live, I had attended The Funeral of Delmar Curington. My Pastor is Dr. Paul Kingsbury, and I have been privileged to be mentored in Marketing by Dan Arnold, the principle owner and president of Road Ranger, and Bro Curingtons personal mentor. If it weren’t for Gods Love that shined through Bro Curington and the ministry that flourished because of it, I simply would not be alive.. If it wasn’t for his vision, I wouldnt have a relationship with Jesus Christ I have today. Mr Curington was loved by so many because he loved so many. Mr Curington knew love because he knew of HE that is Love, Jesus Christ.
Thank you Lord for Steven Boyd Curington…….
Amen.
What a legacy he has left behind for those who knew him, and for those who have yet to hear.
A tragic loss for us here on earth, but a tremendous gain for Heaven.
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant: … enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” ~ Matthew 25:21