Philip Mohabir, the Vice President of the Evangelical Alliance UK (EAUK) and the founder and pioneer of the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance (ACEA) passed away on Friday 26th November. Both Evangelical Alliances which Mohabir served pay tribute to the honourable and devoted leader of evangelism.

Mohabir has been involved in church planting, pioneer evangelism, training workers and social action programmes for over 40 years.

Born in Guyana, at the age of 15, Mobabir became the only Christian in his Hindu village. In the 50’s and 60’s, he became a missionary in England for 8 years. Because of his love for his own people, he returned to his homeland and for 19 years pioneered in evangelism and church planting throughout Guyana and the Caribbean, establishing over 100 churches.

Mobair highly valued the unity of the body of Christ. He believed in the New Testament Pattern church where complementary teams function in regional, national and international levels and that enable the church to raise a new level of apostolic order and authority. His vision has naturally directed his ministry into networking and uniting churches.

Mobair was a member of the apostolic company of the International Christian Leadership Connections (ICLC) network. He returned to the UK in 1983 and founded the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance (ACEA) in 1984, which is an umbrella organisation of the World Evangelical Alliance and a voice for Black Majority Churches in the United Kingdom.

EAUK said, "ACEA was the first umbrella organisation of its kind and Philip brought his unique drive, energy and passion to the organisation, challenging Christians to both speak out and reach out to the needs of society, regardless of background, culture or heritage."

Described by EAUK, "Philip, best known for his commitment to ecumenical and cross-cultural work through Christian churches, devoted his life to a vision of unity and reconciliation and championed the issues that were key to those that society and governments often marginalised."

Mark Sturge, former General Director of ACEA was particularly close to Mabobir. He said, "I called Philip Mohabir dad not only because of the fatherly counsel he has given me over the years, but also the deep admiration and respect I had for his faithfulness and wholehearted commitment to serving God and his people. A pioneer, a reconciler, a missionary and an ambassador - he has inspired us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with Muriel and the rest of the family."

Rev Katei Kirby, ACEA’s current General Manager, said, "ACEA is what and where it is today because of the foundation that Brother Philip and his peers put down for us almost 21 years ago. While we mourn the loss of his passing, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to keep the vision for unity alive. The work he has done can be seen in society; he will be greatly missed."

Another close colleague of Mohabir, the General Director of the EAUK, Rev Joel Edwards said, "Philip was a pioneer for unity in diversity. No one exemplified a passion for Christian unity across the divides or gave himself so tirelessly to others as Philip Mohabir. He was a father, missionary and apostle but many of us will miss him as a brother in Christ who changed our lives."

There will be a memorial service for Philip Mohabir on the 11th December at 1pm in the Emmanuel Evangelical Church, in Marsham Street, London SW1. Future memorial services are planned in Guyana and New York.