Update on Bill Hurley
Dear RBC Family,
We have some very difficult news to share with you. As most of you likely know, Bill Hurley, our Missions Director here at RBC, unexpectedly disappeared about a month ago. It was discovered yesterday that Bill died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound while apparently on his way back to Virginia. We have no idea what drove Bill to do this, and we don’t have any other details at this time.
Pastor Mike and Kay have been ministering to his wife, Cheryl, and the family. Many of you who love Bill and his family may wonder what you can do to help at this time. Here are some ideas of what you can do for now:
WEEP: Sorrow in itself is not sin. Though he was perfectly sinless, Jesus wept and felt sorrow and grief. Paul wrote in Romans 12:15 that we should “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Weeping and feeling the sorrow of such tragic events aligns our hearts with all who feel the sting of this loss. More importantly, our weeping should ultimately align us with the heart of God, who is the “Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
PRAY: Sorrow in this world is meant to push us into the arms of our Savior, and prayer is one of the greatest means we have of experiencing His embrace. Let our grief lead us to our great Comforter, “that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Here are some specific ways you can pray: Please pray for Cheryl and their children as they grieve – pray that God would be their refuge and fortress in time of need. Please pray for our local staff and missions committee, as we are hit hard by the loss of someone we worked with and loved very much. Please pray also for our extended staff, hundreds of missionaries all around the globe, many of whom have worked side-by-side with Bill and Cheryl over the past thirty years.
REJOICE: What a strange command from scripture, that in trials and sorrow we should also rejoice: “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, as was necessary, you have been grieved by various trials” (1 Peter 1:6). We can rejoice because Jesus is our “living hope” (1 Peter 1:3), and because of Him, we do not grieve as those “who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). To rejoice in sorrow as a Christ-follower is not insanity or denial of the reality around us. Rather, as we “rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2), we look forward to that day when Jesus will wipe every tear from our eyes and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4). We rejoice because our God is greater than our sorrow, anger or confusion. We rejoice because He is good, and He will set all things right at His appointed time.
Bill was a dear friend and a co-laborer in the Gospel – we know his absence will be felt keenly by many. Please pray for Pastor Mike as he ministers to the family and for our services this weekend, that they would glorify God and honor Bill’s memory. We will let you know when Bill’s memorial service will be held as soon as those plans are made. Until then, weep, pray and rejoice.
UPDATE: Memorial Service Information
We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and sympathy from so many who knew and loved Bill. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Bill Hurley will be held at Reston Bible Church on Tuesday, August 18 at 10:30am EDT. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, condolences to the family may be made in the form of donations to the Reston Bible Church Missions Fund. Letters of sympathy and encouragement to the family may be sent to:
The Hurley Family
c/o Reston Bible Church
45650 Oakbrook Court
Dulles, VA 20166
**For our extended missionary staff as well as friends and missions agencies in the U.S. and around the globe who are not able to attend, we will provide live streaming video of Bill’s memorial service here.
Prayers to the Reston Bible Church community at this most painful time. May all memories of Mr. Hurley be of his blessings to all.
I am heartbroken and praying for you all. He is with the Lord he served so well and for so long.
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We attended RBC for 25 years and do weep with all our brother’s & sister’s in Christ. The way a man dies does not define that man, it is the way he lived his life. Bill Hurley lived a godly life and was the first person I called many years ago when my child ran away. He gave me wisdom, grace and mercy in a very difficult time – this is the man Bill Hurley was and is. Many people know Christ as their savior because of Bill and Cheryl’s dedication to missions. We will rejoice together in heaven with Bill and extend our love and prayers to Cheryl, the children and the RBC family. Blessings – Mark and Kay Noftsinger
I only had the opportunity to chat with Bill a couple of times, but my heart is heavy with this news. God bless his soul and his family
Pat and I served with Bill on the Missions Committee for many many years; we love him dearly and are weeping with you. Our love for God’s missionaries and interest in spreading His gospel is derived, in large part, from Bill’s enthusiastic example to us. We are weeping now but can rejoice knowing that we will see him again in the presence of Jesus.
So sorry for this loss. Weeping, praying, and rejoicing with the Reston Bible family.
We have great respect for Bill and Cheryl and extend our sympathies to Cheryl, their children, grandchildren, extended family and the RBC Body. We served on the Missions Committee years ago and cannot imagine a more Godly, dedicated, hard-working, tireless couple heading the RBC Missions Committee. This world lost one incredible man–we look forward to our heavenly reunion someday.
Mike, Kay and the family at RBC,
You all are in our prayers. It’s never easy to say goodbye, but this is especially difficult because of the many unanswered questions. David & Lena Terry
Praying for the family and your church. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
Tim and I grieve for this tragic loss of a dear brother. We are praying for Cheryl and all the family.
My heart goes out Cheryl and her family. We’re praying for God’s sustaining grace and strength. We pray for all the dear folks at Reston who had the privilege of serving with this great man and servant of God. I’ve struggled to hit the “total button” on this tragic outcome.
Bill has been a rock in the midst of storms and his wisdom and discernment always evident. I’m confident that that which Bill has committed to our Saviour, He is able to keep.
My deepest appreciation and sympathy for this dear family whose father and husband has influenced and touched so many lives when they needed him.
I am so sorry to hear about Bill’s battle recently and his family’s loss. He was always so sweet and and always had words of wisdom. I am so very sorry for RBC’s loss as well.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Layton Morin
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
I don’t remember who said it, but I agree. We will miss Bill tremendously, but death cannot remove his love from the world.
Our hearts go out to Cheryl and the family. We love you. Also, we pray for the Reston Church family. We count you dear to us.
Amen. I love seeing a pastor being a shepherd. The body of Christ is lifting you up in prayer. Satan may mean it for harm; but God will redeem it.
Our hearts go out to Cheryl and the family. We love you. We are praying for all and thank the Lord for for the Reston Church family. We count you dear and we be praying for Mike for wisdom and strength this weekend.
Our whole family is in grief. We all loved Bill so much. Carol and I and our children have known Bill and Cheryl since the very early days of RBC. Carol and I and served with them on the Missions Committee for many years. We have so many memories of our wonderful times together as we all grew and encouraged one another in Christ. We are so thankful for the many tribal and other former pagan people who were already in Heaven to welcome Bill and thank him for the role he played in their salvation. And there are hundreds, perhaps thousands more that are destined to join him in our Savior’s presence one day. We pray that or loving God, the Father of all mercies, will continue to embrace Cheryl and the rest of the Hurley family and all of us who knew and loved Bill in His grace and comfort. 2 Cor 1:3-7
We are deeply saddened by this news. Bill and Cheryl served us as missionaries to Latin America. They and RBC made a huge difference in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. We, like you, have lost a great man and a dear friend. May the Lord comfort Cheryl and her family and all the RBC family. We salute you at your passing, Bill. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15
Dear ones, we share your grief at Bill’s departure. Bill and Cheryl have been mighty tools of the Lord in our lives on many occasions. May the God of all comfort strengthen you in this dark valley. He will lead you through the darkness. I’m so glad that He sees as well in the darkness as in the light. He holds you as only He can. You are in our prayer.
We are very saddened by this news of his passing, I have been praying for him and his family since it came public that Mr Hurley have disappeared , I new Bill many years back when I attended RBC with my husband and children and at one point approached the Missions committee of which Bill was a director for help to my church in the Dominican Republic 🙂 Bill gave generously to them for which they were very thankful.
I am very sorry for your loss Cheryl, children and church family, May God comfort you in this time of sorrow.
Jackie
I didn’t know Bill… but missions are a big part of my life in Christ… I feel very saddened by the loss of a soldier in Christ, who was bold enough to travel to the ends of the earth to spread the Gospel of Christ..May God comfort all of the RBC family and especially his wife and children, who will feel the sting of this loss the most…
My heart is deeply sad for Cheryl, the Hurley family and the RBC family. I weep with you. I have great respect for both Bill and Cheryl for their commitment to the Lord and their love and years of service to missionaries. There are saints in heaven today thanking Bill for his part in taking the gospel to them. Although we are sad and weep, we also rejoice that Bill is in the presence of the Lord. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones.” Psalm 116:15 NASB
I have been praying since I heard, and am so sorry! Please give my love to the family. My Dad and Mom, Mac and Nan McCloud, were supported for years by RBC. Bill called my Mom after Dad went to be with the Lord and was so gentle and loving; his words to her brought her such comfort.
My heart grieves with you. Cheryl, I have been where you are. Twenty-nine years ago, I walked the path you are now experiencing when my husband, an FBC grad, disappeared. Shortly thereafter his body was discovered with a self-inflicted gun shot wound to the head. I know your church family will do everything possible to help you through this horrible time. If I can help in any way, please let me know. These are not just “nice words.” I truly mean it and would be privileged to talk with you.
Tribute to Bill Hurley –
In 1997 Ted and Joy Carr were accepted for missionary support by RBC. My relationship with Bill grew during annual visits when I would spend hours with him on the job in his police cruiser. Our last personal meeting with Bill was during a three hour quiet lunch 21 May. in deep discussion. Bill’s heart for the gospel, good questioning, personal care, directness, no nonsense practicality and solid preaching contributed hugely to our sense of place and will continue to do so – as RBC missionaries.
Cheryl our love, respect and prayers will support your family. Mike, the RBC elders and the Missions Committee, we hold you high – together with Cheryl – before the Throne of All Grace. Ted and Joy Carr, Madoda and Deli Nzima, Mark and Les Harper – in the Southern Africa Region.
Our church is praying for you all during this most difficult time. No words can express our sincere sympathies and concern over this dear brother and his family. May God’s mercy overflow your hearts.
RBC & the Hurley family,
We have been receiving missions support from RBC for many years and are deeply saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. I was able to visit with Bill in April of this year on my way to our leadership training in Gettysburg. His heart for ministry, personal care for our family and his concern for the military community were so evident throughout our conversation. He was a man who cared deeply about the gospel message going out into all the world and that is how we will remember him. We are keeping Cheryl and the family, the RBC Missions Committee, elders and leadership in our prayers during this time. We pray that the Lord’s love, comfort and grace would be upon all.
God bless,
Chuck & Karen Macri
To our dear friends at RBC, our hearts are full of sadness and prayers as we stand with you during this time. May our Lord who understands more than we can ask or think keep Cheryl, the family and all those Bill has ministered to during his time as a Police Officer and lover of Missions close.
Our hearts grieve with the Hurley family and the Reston family. Bill was an amazing champion of the gospel and of missions. Crossworld and our missionaries are thankful for Reston, Bill and his commitment to helping the nations turn to our Lord and Saviour. May God minister to you all in this difficult time.
Larry W. Sharp – retired VP of Operations at Crossworld
It was with a broken heart that I learned of Bill’s passing last week. Bill and I served together on the Prince William County PD for many years and became very good friends. I fondly remember when I first met Bill. I was conducting his applicant investigation to join our Department and was sitting with Cheryl talking when he walked in. I had surprised him – And we laughed about that for many years. I was his 1st Sergeant on a Patrol Squad in later years. He deeply impressed me the entire time he was with our Department until he retired. When I lost my wife Carol suddenly at Christmas of 1991 – Bill was there for me. I have never forgotten his kindness and caring during that terrible time of pain for me and my family. I am proud to have called him my friend. He was a devout family man, and a devout Christian. I shall miss him greatly. May God bless Cheryl and her family during this time of loss.
I remember Mr. Hurley as a bit of a “scary”, no-nonsense kind of guy. Then he tricked me by weeping for me in the midst of my struggles. I will miss this gentle giant who served the Lord as missions director at RBC.
I am so sorry to hear about this. I met Bill briefly in 2011 as we discussed missions. My heart goes out to RBC on this loss. I will be praying for Bill’s family as well as for RBC and that the Lord would be your comfort, strength, and hope.