Derek Prince was a charismatic author and Bible teacher who influenced millions of Christians around the world with his insightful and practical teachings. He was also a pioneer of the modern Pentecostal movement and a staunch supporter of Israel. But how did he die and what legacy did he leave behind? This article will explore the cause of death and the impact of Derek Prince, one of the 20th century’s most prominent Bible teachers.
Early Life and Conversion
Derek Prince was born in India to British parents in 1915. He was a brilliant scholar who studied Greek and Latin at Eton College and Cambridge University. He also learned several modern languages, including Hebrew and Aramaic, which he later refined at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Although he was raised in the Anglican Church, he became an atheist at Cambridge and rejected his Christian roots. However, his life changed dramatically when he encountered Jesus Christ while serving as a non-combatant soldier in the British army during World War II. He began studying the Bible and became a Christian in 1941.
Marriage and Ministry
Derek Prince married Lydia Christensen, a Danish missionary, in 1945. They adopted nine daughters and moved to the USA in 1963, where they pastored a church in Seattle. Derek also worked at the Faith Tabernacle in Chicago and the Good News Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
He founded Derek Prince Ministries in 1971, which became an international organization that distributed his books, audio tapes, and videos to millions of people in over 60 languages. He also taught on radio programs that reached many countries around the world.
Some of the topics that he covered in his teachings were prayer and fasting, foundations of the Christian faith, spiritual warfare, God’s love, and marriage and family. He was known for his clear and concise exposition of the Scriptures and his practical application of biblical principles.
Lydia died in 1975, and Derek married Ruth Baker, who had three adopted children, in 1978. They moved to Jerusalem in 1981, where they continued their ministry until Ruth’s death in 1998.
Cause of Death and Legacy
Derek Prince died of heart failure on September 24, 2003, at the age of 88. He had suffered from a series of chronic illnesses in the last several years and died in his sleep at his home in Jerusalem.
He left behind a rich legacy of biblical teaching that continues to inspire and edify Christians around the world. His books are still widely read and his radio programs are still broadcasted daily. His ministry also supports various humanitarian projects, such as orphanages, schools, and medical clinics, especially in Israel and the Middle East.
Derek Prince was a man who loved God and His Word with all his heart. He devoted his life to sharing the gospel and teaching the truth to God’s people. He was a faithful servant who finished his race well. He will be remembered as one of the greatest Bible teachers of our time.
