Daniel Cozens: Now with his Saviour in Glory!

Rev Daniel Cozens
 
I have been reading lately how the patriarchs were “gathered to their people”, Genesis 25 v 8 and Genesis 35 vs 29. For many of us Daniel Cozens was a patriarch, in spiritual stature above any denominational figurehead and unsurpassed as a leader among us. 
 
I read of Jacob in Genesis 49 “..… he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last, and was gathered to his people”.
 
And now the founder and father of TFM joins this gathering (Matthew 13 vs 30).  And what a gathering. What thousands will thank him for all he has done.  What a race he has run and what a crown. I had always imagined Daniel would be taken to heaven like Elijah, but Daniel was also a humble man and, together with his family, were not absolved from the suffering that touches so many.  I do salute and tribute the Cozens family. Those of us who had the privilege of visiting Daniel in recent years and months have been deeply moved by the love, care and grace with which Gillie and their children have faced and fought such a cruel condition.  Daniel’s faith and love for his family was undiminished and their tenderness is victory over evil. It is important at this time that we respect the privacy that the Cozens family have requested.
 
I recall Daniel preaching on Lazarus and Dives and all of us that were listening knowing and feeling the absolute certainty of heaven and God’s ultimate justice, reward and judgement. Daniel’s palm resting on his open bible, his earnest expression engaging all in the room as he gently helped us place our hands into the hands of Jesus and look to Him to prepare a place for us.
 
Daniel was a visionary and a creative. His vision endures and his art still speaks to us and glorifies God.  Under Daniel’s leadership to go beyond our comfort zone in mission, many of us have encountered the power of God and the leading of the Spirit and witnessed the transforming love of Jesus.  We cannot now step back from that.  Thanks be to Almighty God for his servant Daniel Cozens.

Paul Preston, Chair of TFM Trustees