Tributes have been paid to Eddie Lyle, former Open Doors UK & Ireland chief executive and president, who has died aged 73.
Born in Northern Ireland, Lyle became as Christian as a young man. He swapped work as an air cargo specialist for serving with Youth for Christ and Release International, now known as Voice of Persecuted Christians. He joined Open Doors in 2005, dedicating two decades to the charity alongside his wife Christine.
Lyle died surrounded by family and friends in Oxford on Saturday, following complications from heart surgery, and is survived by his wife and their son Adam.
He spent years travelling to countries where following Jesus comes at a high cost, from secret house churches in communist Vietnam to refugee camps in northern Nigeria, returning to churches in the UK and Ireland to tell congregations about what he had seen.
In a statement on Monday, Open Doors said he had “a natural instinct for listening, teaching the Bible and storytelling, which he would use to encourage everyone he met, sharing Christ’s love for the hurting and broken with an infectious passion and deep conviction.”
Lyle went on to found Medic International, supporting healthcare in persecuted communities; he also supported Christian mission in North-East Ukraine and co-founded Springbrook Partnership, a leadership coaching consultancy.
Tiffany Barrans, Open Doors UK & Ireland chief executive officer, said: “Eddie was so much more than a chief executive or president. To many of us, he was a friend and mentor, remembered for his conviction, kindness, wisdom, vision and wonderful sense of humour. So much of who we are today as a ministry, both in the UK and Ireland and around the world, was shaped by Eddie. He will be greatly missed and long remembered.”
André Holtshausen, the charity’s chair, added: “Every now and then in life someone crosses your path who in just a few minutes can make a lifelong impact. Eddie was one of those people. We will miss his inspirational visionary leadership, but through building strong connections, he has left a lot of himself amongst us.”
Lyle’s family have asked for privacy at this time. Those wishing to make gifts have been encouraged to support the persecuted church through Open Doors.