It is with a very heavy heart and total shock that I am writing a few thoughts about my dear dear brother, friend & ministry partner over many years, in finding out about his very sudden death in Costa Rica.
Mike and I have travelled for many years together having some amazing experiences in various countries.
Mike has also been the greatest source of encouragement, inspiration & the love of a devoted brother to me in so many years of ministry together.
We have had some of the closest, most amazing, exciting, challenging, adventures that two people could have experienced together. From the former Soviet Union, Brazil, Africa and so many other countries we travelled together in.
We stayed in some of the most incredible accommodation; sleeping in some places that are etched in my memory forever because they were far from comfort or what would be even regarded as Normal. In the midst of those kind of conditions that were totally humanly unfavourable, God came and ministered through our lives together, touching people in the remotest areas and lives transformed to the Glory of God.
Mike and I laughed so much about the many experiences that we encountered; and those days were days of great contrasts as Mike continually laid down his life for the Gospel and to see people come to freedom.
We had some huge Highlights & some really difficult times; at airports, accommodation, cities, weather, in some small way akin to Paul “we knew how to abound & how to suffer need, when food & water where so difficult to find.”
There are so many stories to tell, times of great joy & times of real hardship through our travels, but God bonded us together in a David & Jonathan like friendship and it was one of the most beautiful friendships with a man that I have ever experienced and will live on in the memory of what God had given us together.
Mike was the most generous, unselfish, forgiving man on the planet and the earthly church will be the poorer for his passing, but Heaven will be rejoicing at his Glorious Homecoming.
MY prayers are with Betty, who has been such a rock for Mike, in being so devoted to the ministry and her ministry with Mike and in all of the editing and book releases have been remarkable. I know that you will pray for her and the family as we experience with them the deep sense of Loss and the pain that comes from that. More to share later but wanted to express that now at this time.
Thank you and I know his work & ministry will never die for it was birthed not in a person, but a revelation and Jesus was always the centre of that ministry in Mike as he lived so sacrificially.
Blessings Ray Andrews
If you would like to help Betty and the family with any costs please click Mike Wells Fund.
Mike’s website – www.abidinglife.com
Below is a collage of photos of Mike and Betty.
You are also in my prayers Ray. In Mike’s tapes I can feel his love for you too.
By: Selma on October 12, 2011
at 12:09 pm
Mike Wells – his expression of the life of Christ – had a dramatic impact on my and my husband’s walk of faith. This truth has also deeply influenced our sons and many of our friends. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Mike, and our prayers are directed toward his family. We are supporters of the ministry and know that it will continue as it is Christ and His life which does not end. Blessings.
The Freeman Family
By: celeste and mike freeman on October 12, 2011
at 12:18 pm
Beautifully said Ray. I miss seeing you. Love you.
By: Libby on the Label on October 12, 2011
at 12:50 pm
Michael Wells was the kindest person that my son and I knew- he filled our hearts with Christ. Mike was our mentor, our friend…he always called me his sister and he gave my son his heart and mentored him thru many yrs- he met my son when my son was 14 yrs old- and these past 10 yrs he kept in touch always-he saw my son again when my son was 17 yrs old and was so proud of my son’s accomplishments. We have every e-mail Mike sent to us saved- and we hold him close in our heart-always- Mike lived the life of Christ, in Christ. Mike is with Christ and we will see him again in our eternal home with Christ in heaven. Julie and son, Tom-upstate New York
By: Julie Ann on October 12, 2011
at 12:58 pm
My heart breaks and words fail me.
Hope Taylor
By: Hope Taylor on October 12, 2011
at 1:43 pm
Thank you Ray for posting this. We who have been touched by the message both Mike and yourself have brought, so needed to hear this from you today. Keep going dear brother!
Stewart Patrick
Gisborne, NZ.
By: Stewart Patrick on October 12, 2011
at 1:45 pm
Hi Ray
I will miss Mike deeply. I know of the wondeful connection you had with Mike and how the Lord had knit your lives and ministry togeather. My sympathy to you on the loss of your dear friend. You and Mike were the voices the Lord used to move me from a life of religion to a life in Christ. I will miss him.
God bless you my brother.
Murray Woods
By: Murray Woods on October 12, 2011
at 2:36 pm
so many lives touched and released by his unselfish life and ministry, truly only the full extent will be known in glory. we send our heartfelt love and prayers to you and Cath during this very sad time. please pass on our love and condolences to Betty and family. love Richard & Kim
By: Richard gray on October 12, 2011
at 9:35 pm
Oh my! I have no words to express this news at this moment …. ‘moment by moment’ I hear Mike say so many times each day … Mike & Ray Andrews changed my life forever. I am at loss and in great awe of this man’s humble love and deep desire to have everyone turn towards our Lord Jesus Christ and abide in Him alone. Thankyou Mike for everything….
By: Toni Rhodin on October 12, 2011
at 10:36 pm
Mike’s ministry deeply affected and change the lives those of us whom he has never even met. Our family feels as if we have known he and Betty for years. He will definitely be missed! Ray, you and I spoke briefly a decade ago at Capernwray in New Zealand, and you and the rest of the ALMI family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
By: Amy W on October 12, 2011
at 11:51 pm
Hi Ray, I attended an ALMI seminar in Vienna with Shannon Starks (my name is Heather, remember me?).
My life is changed. Forever, because of your obedience and Mike’s obedience to share the message of freedom. After I got married, Shannon gave my husband and I the ALMI dvd’s with Mike on them and we watched them all laughing, crying, forgiving and understanding more of Jesus in us.
God bless this work forever… all of you are in my prayers.
By: heather on October 13, 2011
at 2:15 am
My deepest condolences to you and everyone for this immense loss!
http://alatvianrita.blogspot.com/2011/10/good-buy-dear-mike.html
By: RitaJC alias alatvian on October 13, 2011
at 6:58 am
Ray thank you so much for this beautiful post. I too have heard of you through Mike and in his discs and I’ve heard the love he had for his brother Ray. Thank you for yours and Mikes beautiful ministry. I am praying for you through this painful time as we are left behind and waiting to meet up with Jesus and mike in the sky. Hopefully the rapture is sooner than later. The whole family is lifting you up to the Lord’s throne together.
By: danae on October 13, 2011
at 7:09 am
Well said. you both planted seeds in our hearts at Capernwray Summer School in 1997….
With tears in our eyes, we remember that God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours… and as we feel loss, God has promoted His good & faithful servant.
Blessed be the name of the LORD.
May His Presence comfort YOU & all loved ones & close friends, such as you & your beloved Cath…
Shalom.
David & Paula Peter
Sherlock, South Australia
By: David & Paula Peter on October 13, 2011
at 8:34 am
Mike’s life was one of a moment by moment focus on Jesus-an example he left us to follow. His death must be very hard for you Ray because you both had not only the same heart and mind but also the same Spirit. He was truly your spiritual twin in Christ.
By: James Carstens, Gisborne, New Zealand on October 13, 2011
at 9:11 am
Ray, Richard and I are praying for you. We will be forever grateful for all that we have learned from God thru you and Mike. We will miss Mike so much, his teachings, his humor, his unique way of saying things so that they were understood. I’ll always remember the two of you speaking of your adventures together and the laughter and love you had for one another. I could go on and on, but will just give thanks instead…for everything and in everything! Praise Jesus!
By: Trudy Woodlands on October 13, 2011
at 9:58 am
Ray, I’m at a loss for words; Mary and I can but weep for this moment. Though we know our beloved brother was taken at his appointed time this happens so suddenly it takes the breath from us all. We are praying for you and Cath knowing how very deep your grief has to be.
By: Gene Hutchins on October 13, 2011
at 10:05 am
Dear Brother Ray, I don’t know who you are but I was in the last conference that Michael Wells did in Honduras before he went to Costa Rica…I was shock with the news since I clearly remember his teachings and conversations with me on Saturday here. Truly he was a humble man of God! This have been hard to believe, and I know that he was your good friend! May God strenght you in this time…There are friends that are closer than a brother to us! I know! May God bless you and fill you with His peace. Blanca
By: Blanca on October 13, 2011
at 3:15 pm
Ray so sorry to hear of this shocking sudden loss of your dear friend & partner in ministry. You’re in our thoughts. Big Hugs!
By: Sheryn on October 13, 2011
at 11:46 pm
Shocked and saddened by the news. A fantastic guy that just felt like part of the family. Please send out deepest condolences to Betty and the rest of the family.
Jonny,Colette,Sarahjane & Aaron
By: Jonny Andrews on October 13, 2011
at 11:50 pm
Dear Brother Ray, Like Mike, your Christ-centered teaching has impacted us and our children in ways that will go on into eternity. Our heart goes out to you as you feel the loss and we grieve with you. Though we may never meet on this earth, we wanted you to know how much you and Mike have blessed us…it’s impossible to put in words. We praise GOD for the Abiding Life message and we pray for you and yours. GOD bless and comfort you, dear Brother. In JESUS, Duane and Lisa Bowman Rossville, IN USA
By: Duane and Lisa Bowman on October 14, 2011
at 12:11 pm
Hello Brother Ray, Linda and I share your thoughts about Mike’s sudden lift to heaven. We are very sad, yet rejoice in the homecoming and that he finished strong as he always prayed that he would. Bless you Ray and we hope we can see you soon.
Greg & Linda
Maui
By: Greg Pick on October 14, 2011
at 1:18 pm
Dear beloved brother in Christ.
Greetings to you your family and all your friends in the matchless name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Brother Mike i am a poor pastor N.John India i have three children and wife, so many troubles in my life. so i request you please pray for my needs.
thanking you brother
your brother in Christ.
Pastor. N.John
By: Pastor. N.John on January 31, 2012
at 9:20 pm