Randy Shepherd of Asheville, NC Death, Obituary: Worker at Crossfire Ministries Randy Shepherd is died
The beloved preacher Randy Shepherd of Asheville, North Carolina, who was well-known for his work with Crossfire Ministries, has departed from this life. He was a man who was committed to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with everyone, using his skills as a basketball player and off to help people all around the world. His passing after heart surgery complications has had a significant effect on his neighborhood and beyond.
Randy was a native of Asheville, North Carolina, where he also lived and worked. He was a graduate of Asheville High School and UNC Asheville. Randy devoted his life to spreading the gospel as a co-founder of Crossfire Ministries, frequently using his basketball experience as a springboard to reach a great number of people. Together with Jamie Johnson, his ministry partner, he started Crossfire, which grew to become a global movement that won thousands of people to Christ.
Randy’s close friend Steve Brady wrote a poignant remembrance of his constant love for the Gospel on Facebook. Brady commented, “He just could not pass by a person without sharing the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Brady also stated that he had seen Randy’s commitment to evangelism and his love for people “thousands upon thousands of times.” “I’ve never seen this strong a passion for the Gospel in anybody else’s life other than Randy Shepherd,” Brady said, praising Randy for his unwavering devotion.
Numerous people’s lives were impacted by Randy’s dedication to his faith, including friends, complete strangers, and even well-known individuals like NBA player LeBron James, to whom Randy once gave a gospel tract. A friend said they had met Randy more than thirty years ago when he was a Memphis Spirit Express basketball player. Through Crossfire, Randy’s ministry has spread the gospel of salvation to individuals all over the world. Those who knew him best regarded him as one of the “boldest witnesses for Jesus”.
Randy never fully recovered from heart surgery, even though two valves were replaced. His family, friends, and other ministry leaders all feel a great loss in his absence. “Randy was intense in his passion for Jesus and never let any conversation deter him from seeing them accept Christ,” said a fellow evangelist who worked alongside Randy for eight years on K-Love Christian cruises.
It is a bittersweet loss for those who knew Randy. They mourn his passing, but they find comfort in the idea that Randy is now with the Lord, whom he devotedly followed. Many are motivated to carry on his work with the same fervor that Randy shown by his legacy of faith, including his closest friends and ministry partners.
A friend of Randy’s posted a moving remembrance, presumably intended as a consoling word to those grieving his passing: “No tears, sister Kris—just keep telling people about Jesus—don’t stop, don’t stop.” The task is not finished. Randy’s life served as an example of his steadfast adherence to his religion, and his impact will carry on via Crossfire Ministries and the numerous lives he has impacted over the previous thirty years.
Prayers have been asked for Randy’s family, friends, and ministry partner Jamie Johnson, as well as the millions of individuals that Randy and Crossfire touched during his lifetime, at this time of community mourning. Randy Shepherd left behind a legacy of leadership, friendship, and service to Christ that will inspire everyone who knew him to continue his mission of sharing the gospel with the same bravery and love he showed everyone every day.