Servant of the persecuted church

(Staff)  A Canadian renowned for serving the persecuted church worldwide has died after a seven-year struggle with cancer. Glenn Penner of The Voice of the Martyrs Canada died on Jan. 26. He was only 48.

Penner first joined VOM-Canada in 1997. Klaas Brobbel, a colleague, said “The mission was floundering and we needed help. Little could we have known the great work that Glenn would be able to pack into the nearly 12 years of service to the Persecuted Church."

The Voice of the Martyrs, which is dedicated to raising awareness and support for persecuted Christians around the world, was founded by Richard Wurmbrand, a Romanian pastor who was imprisoned and tortured (by both the Nazis and the Communists) for 14 years for professing his faith. VOM-Canada is a registered non-profit charitable organization that was founded in 1971.

Barely five years after joining VOM-Canada, Penner was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocsytic Leukemia. He underwent chemotherapy, radiation treatment and a stem cell transplant but when the cancer returned Penner decided not to pursue further treatment.

In a recent interview, Penner said: 

“I don’t understand how people can run away from God in the midst of suffering, but they often do. When we need God the most we often run away from Him. I have been so blessed, so honoured to work with our suffering brothers and sisters. They are so thankful when we come and serve them and show them we care….We [in North America] see suffering as the worst thing that can happen, whereas our brothers and sisters in the persecuted church see disobedience as the worst thing. I couldn’t have gone through this time without having had my life enriched by them, by their faithfulness and trusting even when things don’t get better.”

Penner was appointed CEO in 2007 but stepped down this past January to become the mission’s Scholar-in-Residence and Executive Advisor. Corey Odden became the new CEO.

“Glenn had a particular passion for helping suffering believers to understand the biblical basis for their trials,” the VOM-Canada website said. “His book, In the Shadow of the Cross, is an intensive study of the theology of persecution and discipleship which continues to be an invaluable resource to Christians worldwide who are suffering for Christ's sake. A gifted teacher, Glenn was blessed to be able to share his study with Christian leaders in religiously restricted and hostile nations in South America, Africa and Asia, as well as in seminaries and colleges in Europe and North America.”

It concluded: “Glenn's faithful dedication has inspired … the many suffering Christians worldwide who have been touched by his service to them.”

Penner is survived by his wife Denita and their two sons and one daughter.

The Anglican Planet carried two interviews with Penner, the first in December, 2008 and the second in June, 2009.