To all FITS Alumni and FITS Family,
On behalf of Mary Spero, FITS Staff and Faith Fellowship Ministries we want to inform everyone that Dr. Anthony Spero has gone home to be with Jesus on Sunday, Dec. 5th 2010 at 4:30 PM.
He is a man that has touched many lives in many ways, as a family man, pastor, dean, teacher, bishop and friend. Many of you reading this email represent the many lives that have been impacted by this man’s commitment to touch people for Jesus.
He would want to be remembered as a man of God that fought to the finish and has left a legacy of love and integrity. He loved his family so much. His wife was truly his soul mate, his daughters were his joy and his grandchildren were so dear to him, and this is such a testimony to a successful life in Christ. He was a builder of ministries and builder of the Kingdom of God. He had many physical battles the past decade and many victories and now the greatest victory of transition to glory has come.
The Apostle Paul said “follow me as I follow after Christ.” Anthony Spero’s life’s work has reached generations now and has been passed on through his various sons and daughters in the Lord all over this globe so continue to follow what he has deposited into you because he truly was following after Christ.
We know you will be lifting up Mary, his children, grandchildren and family in prayer.
1 Corinthians 15:55
Please send friend request on facebook to Mary Spero to see any updated information.
Pastor Spero was my first Pastor after I got saved in 1978. He was a friend, a brother, and a shepherd. I often remember sermons that he preached and words that he taught. He was kind, loving, and very compassionate.
ReplyDeleteOne sermon I especially remember is you have to go thru b to get to c. Like when Jesus told the disciples to go to the other side and then the storm came.Pastor made it to C....Heaven. Susan Ogilvie
I see that in honor of the passing of Dr. Spero the New England Patriots decided to beat up on my Jets. I will miss the only Red Sox fan in our ministry. It was a honor to work with you and to build the Kingdom of God together for the past 3 + years. Love, Marty
ReplyDeleteOne of my greatest joys was serving beside my Mary and Pastor for five years. They, Pam and Lisa are never beyond my prayers, love and thoughts.
ReplyDelete"There's just something about that name", Jesus, you know the song, and I feel the same way when I think of Pastor Spero, there's just something about pastor, of course that something is Christ in him, my last dream of Pastor about 2 months ago, I saw him "ascending" from a building that I believe was in Africa, as he was walking uphill out of the building leaving behind the people but also Pastor Ken was there, but as he was leaving he ( also looked wonderful) turned around a waved and said "see you later" I loved that, not good-by, but see you later. He has impacted my life in way no one else has, his faith in the Lord was contagious! Russ and I will for sure never forget him and our hearts and been enriched knowing him. Much love to the Speros! Love Kathleen Beck
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of him was that he was an intimidating guy! Big and tall, and that air of authority about him. After getting to know him I began to not only respect but truly love him. He was my spiritual dad and I looked up to him in so many ways. I miss him already. "Hear me well" :) I will see you again pastor...love you so much. Gaby and the Primroses
ReplyDeleteSweet Mary and families,
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry for your tremendous loss. I have known and worked with you and Pastor and known the girls since they were just small. Heaven has gained such an Angel... I love you both and with that I could be there with you. He has been much loved and missed. Terri Bowing - Poplawski
Many years ago, when Calvary Chapel was a little old white chapel on Ridge Road, there was a fund raiser for children's ministries, during the annual church picnic. The idea was for people to pay for a "hit" or "take out a contract" on someone of their choosing, (which amounted to getting a cream pie in the face). This instigated bidding wars ( I'll pay you twice as much to NOT hit me with that pie). Pastor Spero thought it was great fun to agitate the bidders, and cheerfully ran around the parking lot, getting hit full face with his fair share of the pies ( which could not be prepared fast enough by Charlotte Hauser). I'm sure there were possibly a few who thought this highly undignified, but Pastor thought it was great fun, playing up his Italian heritage ( no offense anybody !) and being a great sport about it. He was never anything but humble and down to earth. He made real the concept that being holy was a life style, and by no means meant you couldn't have jolly fun. He was quick to laugh and see the humor in any situation, and the laughter always started as a twinkle in his eyes. Lynnette Best
ReplyDeleteIt was such an honor to be able to work with such an esteemed man of God. I did not know him on a personal basis but had the privilege to serve with him in ministry. Everyone always had fun with him around as he was always joking or goofing around. He will definitely be missed, but his legacy lives on and we will see him on that great day!
ReplyDeleteIt’s difficult to pin point one thing about Anthony looking back from Zion Bible College, where I first met him, to now. He was full of life, a character, yet willing to help anyone when he could. So many memories but the one that really sticks out was looking at his face as Mary began to walk down the aisle on their wedding day. His face beamed with adoration, love and pride. He certainly did marry the love of his life, soul mate and God’s choice for his many ministries. The two of them have been an awesome team.
ReplyDeleteIt was about ten years ago that Anthony solved a really big problem I had. Getting accepted into a college using Zion’s credits in California was not possible until Anthony contacted Dr. Stan De Kovan, President and founder of Vision University, where I was fortunate to earn by BA. That never would have transpired had Anthony not helped me.
Anthony was an amazing man in many ways, including helping his father-in-law's ministry in Africa to keep going, helping others in need and being an awesome man of God. The good news is Anthony is pain free in heaven. The bad news is we will all miss him immensely.
I love you both ....
David and I first met Anthony in Zion. Mary was in the same class as we were. Those years were a bonding of hearts and ministries. I thank God for the frienship David and Anthony shared. It was far more than "Rook" Many of the world's problems were solved by them around the table. Both Anthony & Mary graciously "took in" a family of five of us when we returned homeless from a tour of six years in Africa. Anthony was a faithful friend and wonderful advisor to Barnabas Ministries. All I know is that as the days go bye, we miss him a little more. Mary, dear friend, whatever you may need, we are here. I am sure your Anthony, Jerry Kaufman, Gene Carver and Raul are already stirring up heaven a little. We loved him dearly and will not easily forget. David and Jeanne
ReplyDeleteIsabella & Brian Shamambo
ReplyDelete"If you forget everything I taught you, do not forget the role of the Holy Spirit in your lives!"
"Where the finger of God points, there He also provides."
These words will live with me to my dying day. I learnt so much about the Holy Spirit and how real He is in my life from Dr Spero. I learnt the importance of knowing God's leading from him too. Dr Spero may sometimes have had a 'hard' exterior but inward he was so soft, most of us students realized that by the time we were ready to graduate. We felt his exterior actually was an attempt to protect what was inside, a gentle, kind, loving, giving and considerate spirit. To us He was not only the dean, but a father figure, spiritual man who had us sincerely in His heart. We did tell him a bit of what he meant to us, but we should have probably said more. We sincerely thank God for the gift of him then and the memory of him now.
Today, for the first time in years I suppose, I cried with real tears. I just found out about Dr. Spero going to be with Jesus. I’m not sad about him being with Jesus although my heart is torn with sadness for his family and those who were close to him. I met Dr. Spero in the 90’s at IMPC and easily identified him as a very warm and distinct personality. I was a FITS student at Fort Myers during 2003-2004 and became reacquainted with him there. I found Dr. Spero to be very firm in what he believed and 100% committed to his assignment. During my time at FITS he became a spiritual Father and a man I could trust to be straight forward about what was on his mind and I always knew where I stood. I am so very sorry that I did not stay in contact with this strong man of God. A good Soldier, a Gift and a Father has gone from this earth and will surely be missed. I loved him dearly. Jim Eckley, Lewisburg,PA
ReplyDeleteI am a Christian today because of Anthony Spero. When I was lost and searching for direction, he took me under his wing and showed me the love of Christ. I was very skeptical at first, but after spending a lot of time with Anthony and his family, I could see that he was genuine and had something that I really wanted - that something was Christ and the Holy Spirit's guidance in my life.
ReplyDeleteTo his beautiful and faithful wife Mary, I want to say thank you for all that you did for me when I was a new Christian. Your love, kindness, and those great meals that you made will always be remembered. I hope Pam and Lisa are all doing well. I know you must really miss Anthony and I pray that the Lord has comforted you during this time.
I will "forever" be thankful for the life of Anthony Spero.
I and myhusband Tom just loved him..just saw this. He was pastor of Calvery Chapel we were members n we attested Fishnet 79, three days of camping, Gods word, worship, music, fellowship. Have pictures of him there. He dedicated our son. God Bless you n your family. BLESSINGS.
ReplyDeleteIm Grace Okurut from Uganda and so surprised,I did'nt know my friend Dr.Anthony passed on!He sent me invitations to come for the training and since I had no funds to process a visa,do i never made it.I will always remember sister Mary and the family in prayer;he had real love for the brethren!I miss him.My email fminternation@gmail.com please kindly update me to see how I can join the training.
ReplyDeleteIm Grace Okurut from Uganda and so surprised,I did'nt know my friend Dr.Anthony passed on!He sent me invitations to come for the training and since I had no funds to process a visa,do i never made it.I will always remember sister Mary and the family in prayer;he had real love for the brethren!I miss him.My email fminternation@gmail.com please kindly update me to see how I can join the training.
ReplyDeleteHe was such a lovely friend!I miss him.He invited me for the training and I could not process my visa.I pray for his family.Kindly update me on the training and I will be grateful.My email is fminternation@gmail.com from Uganda.
ReplyDeleteHe was such a lovely friend!I miss him.He invited me for the training and I could not process my visa.I pray for his family.Kindly update me on the training and I will be grateful.My email is fminternation@gmail.com from Uganda.
ReplyDelete