Christians have been paying tribute to the late Gospatric Home, who died on 11th April (Sunday was 12th?) following complications after a heart surgery.
The Christian businessman, also known as 'Gos', was re-admitted to hospital on Good Friday after initially being sent home to recover from heart surgery. The 87-year-old died shortly after re-admission.
His son, Oliver Home, diocesan secretary for Bristol referred to him as a man "full of hope and love".
"[He was] always seeing life, potential and giving thanks in all circumstances. He achieved so much for so many. We'll miss him so much and it is tough not to be together while we trust he is risen in glory," Oliver said.
Gos Home founded the National Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) with his wife Diana in 1985.
The organisation runs annual events to equip churches across Europe with supplies and services.
Home started the company to help unite Christian companies and charities and enable them to "bring their products, services and ideas to the churches that needed to see them."
Theologian John Drane said: "Gos was a true Christian entrepreneur if ever there was one. He certainly made a difference to very many lives, including mine. May he rest in peace and rise in glory."
Ordained priest and former singer of The Settlers, Cindy Kent MBE referred to Gos as "a great man who made such a contribution to Christianity in the UK. He was a real visionary."
The last exhibition Gos attended, as honorary president, was CRE National 2019 at Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey.
Steve Goddard, owner of CRE, said: "I was privileged to attend the first exhibition in London in 1985, never dreaming I would one day own it. Gos had the heart of a lion and the tenacity of a terrier. But above all he was a gentleman in the true meaning of the term. He played a quiet but pivotal role in transforming the face of the UK church through CRE. Tens of thousands of people have benefitted from his vision.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Diana and the whole Home family, especially at this time of enforced social isolation."
