Thank you for joining us as we celebrate the life of Christian Bastke. We welcome your comments, stories and photos in thankful memory of a loved father, friend and missionary teacher.
OBITUARY
Christian Bastke served with Torchbearers staff for over 50 years. He gave his life to the Lord at age 17 when Major Thomas held an evangelistic meeting for youth in postwar Germany. Major invited Christian to Capernwray Hall for a youth retreat, and helped facilitate his theological training in the States, before inviting him to join the Torchbearers staff.
Together with his wife, Martha (one of his former students at Capernwray... see more
Christian Bastke served with Torchbearers staff for over 50 years. He gave his life to the Lord at age 17 when Major Thomas held an evangelistic meeting for youth in postwar Germany. Major invited Christian to Capernwray Hall for a youth retreat, and helped facilitate his theological training in the States, before inviting him to join the Torchbearers staff.
Together with his wife, Martha (one of his former students at Capernwray Hall), founded a short term Bible school in Norway. It ran for several years before it was moved to Holsbybrunn in Sweden. He was also the first principle in year one of Ravencrest Chalet. Through his many student contacts, Christian travelled to at least 88 countries to preach, teach, and train students and, congregations, as well as partner with ministries like Operation Mobilization. He enjoyed his many cross-cultural adventures.
Christian is pre-deceased by his wife, Martha, of 52 years and survived by his three children, nine grandchildren and his brother Rainer.
I met Christian for the first time in Dec 1964, when he came to Calif. To propose to my sister. For Christmas, he gave me a Swiss army knife.
I truly appreciated the hospitality he displayed in 1966 when our family visited him and Martha at their... moreI met Christian for the first time in Dec 1964, when he came to Calif. To propose to my sister. For Christmas, he gave me a Swiss army knife.
I truly appreciated the hospitality he displayed in 1966 when our family visited him and Martha at their home in Norway. He also developed a schedule for our family to visit 13 European countries in 6 weeks and provided accommodations for us at many of the Torchbearers Centers.
Christian did a remarkable job in developing a traveling ministry around the world sharing Christ and strengthening believers’ in their own personal walks through regular Biblical teaching.
Thank you for the care you gave to my sister, your 3 children and the grandchildren. You will be missed.
Wir nehmen von einem Freund, Lehrer und Vorbild Abschied.
Es tut uns Leid.
Vor bald 40 Jahren haben wir Christian in Holsby kennen gelernt. Wir schätzten ihn als Dozenten sehr, auch wenn er anspruchsvolle, doch sehr gehaltvolle Lectures hielt. Dann... moreWir nehmen von einem Freund, Lehrer und Vorbild Abschied.
Es tut uns Leid.
Vor bald 40 Jahren haben wir Christian in Holsby kennen gelernt. Wir schätzten ihn als Dozenten sehr, auch wenn er anspruchsvolle, doch sehr gehaltvolle Lectures hielt. Dann kamen wir aber auch bald ins Gespräch um unsere damalige Nähe der Wohnorte Schliengen und Basel. Schliesslich besuchten wir auch seinen Kurs an der Frühlingsschule in Capernwray Hall. Und dann schätzten wir seine Besuche in Basel, wenn er auf Durchreise war.
Dass wir später noch zwei Mal Gelegenheit haben werden, ihn und Martha in den USA zu besuchen, waren glückliche Umstände unsererseits. So verbrachten wir miteinander auch den Independence Day 2017 am Ufer in Gig Harbor. less
When I was at Capernwray Bible school, 1964, Christian was one of the teachers. Afterwards, He invited me to a retreat of his in Norway.
I enjoyed a very memorable skiing trip with him and good conversations.
Little did we know that we would end... moreWhen I was at Capernwray Bible school, 1964, Christian was one of the teachers. Afterwards, He invited me to a retreat of his in Norway.
I enjoyed a very memorable skiing trip with him and good conversations.
Little did we know that we would end up marrying sisters, and being brothers-in-law for over 50 years. It was a long-term friendship.
Ed Epps less
I remember Christian when I worked at Capernwray Hall in 1990/91 I hung out with his daughter Rebekkah beautiful Christian family so very sorry for your loss
Christian war mir ein guter Bruder. Er war ein wichtiger Teil meines Lebens. Er war ein Mensch mit vielen Facetten. Seine wertorientierte Haltung und sein christlicher Glaube waren beispielhaft. Er verneinte nie seine deutschen Wurzeln, obwohl er... moreChristian war mir ein guter Bruder. Er war ein wichtiger Teil meines Lebens. Er war ein Mensch mit vielen Facetten. Seine wertorientierte Haltung und sein christlicher Glaube waren beispielhaft. Er verneinte nie seine deutschen Wurzeln, obwohl er gleichzeitig ein "Globetrotter" in seiner Arbeit für Gott war. Stuttgart, Deutschland und Europa waren ihm zu eng. Der letzte Besuch meines Bruders in Stuttgart war im April 2018. Danach schafften wir es über Videokonferenzen verbunden zu bleiben. Wir sind sehr traurig, aber auch dankbar für die gemeinsame Zeit. Wir werden in seinem Sinne weiter leben. Ruhe in Frieden.
Rainer und Christine less
I was so sad and shocked to hear of Christian's passing - yet I know he would ask me why I was sad, when he has been promoted to the very glorious presence of Our Lord.
I met Christian at Capernwray Bible School here in the UK in 2003/04 (highly... moreI was so sad and shocked to hear of Christian's passing - yet I know he would ask me why I was sad, when he has been promoted to the very glorious presence of Our Lord.
I met Christian at Capernwray Bible School here in the UK in 2003/04 (highly recommended!) where he was a guest speaker. I chatted with him and was very interested to hear about his son, who was an MAF pilot.
Fast forward a few years and I bump into him and his wife Martha, again at Capernwray Hall, with my wife (at the time :( ) who was from the States, and Christian & Martha warmly invited us to visit them at their home in Washington state, as we were planning to move up there, with a view to me completing flight training at Moody Aviation.
No easy way to put this, but my 'Christian' ex-wife and I had difficulties and, in the end, she decided to divorce me, and my world collapsed, with the loss of all sense of vision, direction, joy...
But Christian & Martha, together with his daughter-in-law and her family in Spokane, all poured warmth and acceptance around my ex and I, and in the midst of what for me was the worst time of my life, they demonstrated steadfast faith and love.
I'm so grateful, that even though I don't have the answers, and God isn’t saying much.. to have people who were just so planted in their faith and dedication to God, was so inspiring and supportive.. even if me, my faith and my world was in the process of being all but swept away.
I give thanks to God for Christian's rock-solid dedication and hard work.
If my life ever, at this point, were to even match 1% of what Christian's has in the eyes of God, I shall join him in eternal worship, a very happy person.
Warmest regards and sympathy to all the family ... and apologies for the problems I/we brought with us that fateful year. less
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