In Memoriam

Those Precious Saints Who Have been an integral part of Streetfire Ministries and have changed their address from Earth to Heaven

Jack Christy West – Vice-president Streetfire Ministries  Cloquet, Minnesota  –  January 8, 1936 – May 14, 2016

May 14, 2016

I can remember that especially in the early days of ministry, we’d finish a full weekend and I was exhausted. On one stretch we preached 90 days in a row. Jack was never one to stay in bed as he was very much a morning person. On some days he would knock on my door at dark-thirty in the morning and tell me he was going to “get a cup.” When I finally got up, he was drinking his coffee and reading his Bible.

There were times I would awaken and go to his room to find the bed made and when I looked out in the driveway the car was gone. He’d just… leave quietly. I’d always miss him when he had to go.

Bruce Laverne DeLap  Pembina, North Dakota – Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin –  April 3, 1930 – Oct. 11, 1998

My dad was always supportive of my ministry and never missed a crusade when I was preaching back home in Milwaukee.  He and mom always had “little” so I could have much.

 

Bernadine “Deanie” Margaret Mataya-DeLap  Eveleth, Minnesota – Sussex, Wisconsin – January 9, 1932 – January 7, 2015

My mom was a pillar in our prayer ministry and never failed to read my “word of the day” and felt comfortable to comment as both a member of our flock AND as my mom.  She was faithful in our on-line church,  never missing a Sunday morning video.  She was a precious woman of God and has gone to be reunited with my dad.

Gregory L. Brayton  (My blind producer who had 20/20 insight), 58, of Coldwater, passed away on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at his home in Coldwater, after a 12 year battle with cancer.  Greg was instrumental in recording production and music backgrounds in many of Mark’s CDs including Departure, Michigan Songwriter’s Christmas,  Destiny By Starlight,  and The Little Acorn –  the last of which, Greg was the voice of “the evangelist.”  We spent many hours in his Coldwater studio working on music and dreaming of Heaven.   You got there first, my friend.

Greg was born July 23, 1955 in Coldwater, MI to Lee and Helen Jean (Weakly) Brayton. He married Sally A. Culver on August 4, 1979 in Coldwater.

Greg graduated from Coldwater High School in 1973.He studied at the Montreau Music School of Jazz during the summer after graduation before attending 1 year at the Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati. During high school he was active with the Balladiers, traveling to Europe to perform. Greg was one of the first students with a disability to attend public schools. He achieved things that most people with his disabilities would never think of doing, such as wrestling and playing football. His love of music and great leadership proved him to be a pioneer in the music industry as well. He started The Blind Man’s Bluff band in 1975 and toured throughout the US and Canada. Greg was also one of the first blind musicians to have a recording studio in Michigan. Mr. Brayton had helped with the family business Certified Sand and Gravel and hosted a radio program on ACB Radio for many years. He was inducted into the Coldwater Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

Greg was a member of the Coldwater Noon Rotary and the United Methodist Church, where he played in the Praise band for 18 years. He was an avid reader who enjoyed playing chess, riding bikes and sitting in his swing and his rocking chair. Greg loved playing Goal Ball but most of all he was a dedicated family man who enjoyed the time they all spent together.

 

 

Robert Joseph Gooding  Ionia, MI  October 2, 1954 – December 12, 2013

Robert and I had a relationship like Jonathon and David in the Bible.  He was called my “armor bearer” and took care of me as he were my blood brother.

Robert’s Interment Service

From Dust To Dust

Bishop Rex Connell Gwaltney   Milwaukee, WI August 29, 1930 – December 16, 2012

Bishop will always be known to me as “Brother Rex”.  I preached my first revival in his church in Milwaukee in 1984.  He became an instant mentor and took me under his wing and ordained me in 1985 under the “Liberty Temple Church” covering.

Mansfield Cornelius Samples  Pontiac, MI –  April 14, 1928 – November 7, 2012

“Brother Mansfield” was an incredible mentor, teacher and sage.  He took me under his wing and became a master scheduler for my evangelistic team.  He would set up churches for me to preach in and accompanied me, drove me, housed me and befriended me for many years.  He and Brother Alonzo Stewart were a power ministry team to the ghettos of Detroit and Pontiac.

Mother Rosella Rutledge  Elyria, OH  – February 5, 1918 –  October 25, 2008

Mother used to house me whenever I was evangelizing in Ohio.  I could always count on having a bowl of Mother’s fresh homemade vegetable soup or baby back ribs after a full night of preaching.  She cared for me as if I were her own son, and spiritually speaking, perhaps she was the one who prayed me into the Kingdom.  I’ll know it better by and by. She would take in young women and teach them to cook and clean and care for the household – and would turn their hearts toward the Lord.

 

 

Michael Bender  – Boscobel, WI – August 27, 1961 – June 6, 2011

Mike was a former singer for the Streetfire band and also did a stint as an assistant coach with Pastor Mark at North Muskegon High School.  He was an anointed man of God and a trusted friend and he departed too soon.  He left behind a wife and two sons.