A tribute from Rev. Aeron Morgan
I feel that I must write this simple and heartfelt tribute in respect of my dear friend and fellow minister of the Gospel, Pastor Carl Guiney. My association with him and his devoted wife Faith does not go back many years, but I do vividly recall that first time. It was in July 2000. I did have some correspondence with him previous to that (which proved to have been a providential link in the friendship that followed), but then how privileged and blessed to have been personally introduced to him and Faith by my wonderful friends, Pastor Don and June Evans. It was they who met me at the airport and took me to Mystic, to meet up with Carl and Faith, who then brought me to Woonsocket.
I will ever appreciate the generous way in which he and Faith received me into their home and hearts, and the open platform Carl extended to me to preach whenever I was in New England and able to visit. On my following visits my wife Dinah was always with me, and what a joy it was for us to come to the home and to the Church – a highlight of my visits to America was to come to Woonsocket. Ten years may not be as long a time as most of you dear people who gathered at the memorial service to celebrate his life and ministry, but sufficient time and visits through those years to endear him to my heart as a beloved brother and faithful servant of Christ. Who could forget that infectious smile of his, his cheery heart, and spiritual disposition? Times with Carl were always refreshing and edifying.
Yes, Carl Guiney was a true servant of Jesus Christ, and a faithful pastor who established a worthy testimony in Woonsocket – and for 45 years gave himself sacrificially and devotedly to the work God had called him to. He was fervent in spirit, and I admired his uncompromising stand for, and defense of, the Truth of the Gospel. He was deeply and rightly concerned with certain of the modern trends, in doctrine and practice, which have adversely affected our Pentecostal movements, taking us away from our roots. He was prepared to stand up and be counted on these issues. He sought not praise or patronage, but to please his Lord and Master to whom he knew he would ultimately be accountable. In my times of personal fellowship with him I felt something of his heart for God, for the church. And how he loved to discuss the great themes of the Bible!
Pastor Carl Guiney was a man of unquestioned integrity and uprightness, humble and selfless, loving and caring, and ever seeking to be a blessing to others. He became a dear friend to us, and being with him was always a great encouragement to me. He was always uplifting and cheering to be with. While in these more recent times he had his own physical difficulties, he was still a great blessing to be with. He was uncomplaining and uncritical, committing all things to the one whom he served with diligence and distinction. He loved the Lord Jesus with all of his heart, and he loved the Word of God. He loved to hear it preached faithfully and without compromise. He lived his life with distinction for the Master. Those who knew Carl will thank God for him, because our lives were greatly blessed and influenced by him for good. I expressed it to Faith that we wished we could have been living a little nearer to visit with him during his difficult days.
I was not able to attend the memorial service, but Dinah and I send our warmest love and condolences to you Faith, and your lovely family who also embraced us as part of it. We assure you of our prayers. Your own and greatest consolation, of course, is in knowing that Carl is with Christ. For him, nothing has ever been so sweet, so precious, so rewarding, so awesome, and so welcome. The Apostle Paul sums it up for Carl – and for each of us as believers, in Philippians 1:21-23:
That is the present state of those who "with Christ," – he has never been more alive to eternal realities and rapturous communion with his Lord. He now relishes the ravishing tastes of heavenly joys, once anticipated but now enviously realised. And thank God for the hope we possess of a glorious Day soon to dawn when all things in Christ will be consummated, and all the redeemed will be together forever. May we ever be true!
Thanking God for Pastor Carl Guiney.
Pastor Aeron and Dinah Morgan
Queensland, Australia
* Posted with permission
I feel that I must write this simple and heartfelt tribute in respect of my dear friend and fellow minister of the Gospel, Pastor Carl Guiney. My association with him and his devoted wife Faith does not go back many years, but I do vividly recall that first time. It was in July 2000. I did have some correspondence with him previous to that (which proved to have been a providential link in the friendship that followed), but then how privileged and blessed to have been personally introduced to him and Faith by my wonderful friends, Pastor Don and June Evans. It was they who met me at the airport and took me to Mystic, to meet up with Carl and Faith, who then brought me to Woonsocket.
I will ever appreciate the generous way in which he and Faith received me into their home and hearts, and the open platform Carl extended to me to preach whenever I was in New England and able to visit. On my following visits my wife Dinah was always with me, and what a joy it was for us to come to the home and to the Church – a highlight of my visits to America was to come to Woonsocket. Ten years may not be as long a time as most of you dear people who gathered at the memorial service to celebrate his life and ministry, but sufficient time and visits through those years to endear him to my heart as a beloved brother and faithful servant of Christ. Who could forget that infectious smile of his, his cheery heart, and spiritual disposition? Times with Carl were always refreshing and edifying.
Yes, Carl Guiney was a true servant of Jesus Christ, and a faithful pastor who established a worthy testimony in Woonsocket – and for 45 years gave himself sacrificially and devotedly to the work God had called him to. He was fervent in spirit, and I admired his uncompromising stand for, and defense of, the Truth of the Gospel. He was deeply and rightly concerned with certain of the modern trends, in doctrine and practice, which have adversely affected our Pentecostal movements, taking us away from our roots. He was prepared to stand up and be counted on these issues. He sought not praise or patronage, but to please his Lord and Master to whom he knew he would ultimately be accountable. In my times of personal fellowship with him I felt something of his heart for God, for the church. And how he loved to discuss the great themes of the Bible!
Pastor Carl Guiney was a man of unquestioned integrity and uprightness, humble and selfless, loving and caring, and ever seeking to be a blessing to others. He became a dear friend to us, and being with him was always a great encouragement to me. He was always uplifting and cheering to be with. While in these more recent times he had his own physical difficulties, he was still a great blessing to be with. He was uncomplaining and uncritical, committing all things to the one whom he served with diligence and distinction. He loved the Lord Jesus with all of his heart, and he loved the Word of God. He loved to hear it preached faithfully and without compromise. He lived his life with distinction for the Master. Those who knew Carl will thank God for him, because our lives were greatly blessed and influenced by him for good. I expressed it to Faith that we wished we could have been living a little nearer to visit with him during his difficult days.
I was not able to attend the memorial service, but Dinah and I send our warmest love and condolences to you Faith, and your lovely family who also embraced us as part of it. We assure you of our prayers. Your own and greatest consolation, of course, is in knowing that Carl is with Christ. For him, nothing has ever been so sweet, so precious, so rewarding, so awesome, and so welcome. The Apostle Paul sums it up for Carl – and for each of us as believers, in Philippians 1:21-23:
- For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet I do not know what I shall choose. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better…
That is the present state of those who "with Christ," – he has never been more alive to eternal realities and rapturous communion with his Lord. He now relishes the ravishing tastes of heavenly joys, once anticipated but now enviously realised. And thank God for the hope we possess of a glorious Day soon to dawn when all things in Christ will be consummated, and all the redeemed will be together forever. May we ever be true!
Thanking God for Pastor Carl Guiney.
Pastor Aeron and Dinah Morgan
Queensland, Australia
* Posted with permission
