A Tribute to Harry Strang 11/05/2023

Harry Strang from Falkirk

Occasionally I break up the regular programme of Day Share blogs to feature tributes to people who have made a positive impact on our Christian life (from the perspective of my wife Janie and me). I am using the Dayshare to celebrate the lives of Christian men and women who are not necessarily well known or famous. This means that many readers might not know them but I trust that you will forgive this more personal perspective now and again.

Janie and I first met Harry on 25th July 2017 when we first visited Maddiston Evangelical Church in California Road, Maddiston near Falkirk, Scotland. We had just moved to Falkirk area and we were looking for a church. As we climbed the steps to the church, we were met by this tall man who greeted us warmly and with genuine Christian love. We will never forget his words to us, "Come away in." He was probably the main reason we ended up joining that church. He was a tall man with a warm heart. He was friendly and genuine. He had been a widower for 25 years having lost his dear wife, Elizabeth to cancer. He was quiet man who did not hog the limelight but he was first and foremost a people's person. Janie and I soon discovered a connection with him although we had never met him previously. His daughter, Lorraine Myles had supported our niece through a crisis when her marriage had broken down. His daughter shares the same values as her father and her mother, whom I never met.

Harry was very ill for the past year as he was suffering from a terminal illness. He accepted that he had not long to live but his faith was really strong. He was an inspiration to those of us who are part of the Prayer Fellowship at Dawson Community Church on a Monday evening. Around the circle, there were tears in the eyes of many of those present but there were also smiles as he shared with us his intimate experiences of God. He loved the Lord and he loved God's people. He was an inspiration to all of us. He was riddled with cancer but not with self-pity. His medical prognosis was bleak but his faith grew stronger by the day. He had quietly inspired me and mentored me over the last five years and I want to pay tribute to him and thank him for the great example he is to all of the church.

Just prior to his death I discovered that he had been an inspiration to so many of us in the wee church beside the River Carron in Falkirk. I have heard a brother, who had not known Harry before he and so many others joined the church at Dawson Mission (as it was known for decades, pay tribute to him. He spoke with great warmth and affection for this old Christian gentleman whom he had known for only a year or so. This brother talked about his signature welcome - "Come away in" and how this was a lesson to us all. Our church should be welcoming to strangers and this is how the Lord invites us - "Come away in." We have a team at the door to welcome visitors and regulars to our church on a Sunday morning and we are continuing with Harry's tradition.

The writer of the anonymous letter to the Hebrews tells us:

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. [Hebrews‬ ‭13:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬]

Two phrases are so relevant to how Harry Strang has influenced me and other dear Christians locally.

The outcome of their way of life

Harry lived a life for God and for others. He was consistent in his love for the Lord and he demonstrated Christian love in action not just in talk. He was strong in his faith and he was a great example to others. When it was God's time, he passed into the presence of the Lord and he saw the Saviour whom he had trusted for a lifetime. His faith was replaced by sight. He has been reunited with his wife who has gone before but also with the Saviour whom he has loved and served all of his life.

Imitate their faith

Harry was not a deep theologian and he told me that sometimes he found my blogs too lengthy and too hard to follow. But his faith was unwavering and this was demonstrated in his character and conduct. He left behind one daughter Lorraine who is married to Gordon Myles. They are a lovely Christian couple who love to serve the Lord and use their gifts and their energy in service for the Lord. Harry had two grandchildren who have the same characteristics as their grandfather. Amy is married to David Walker and they are on fire for the Lord and want to serve Him. They are both committed to working with children and young people and are now heavily involved in the work of Prison Fellowship. Scott Myles is a younger version of his grandfather. He is quiet but unassuming. He is genuine and a young man of integrity. He loves music and has a passion for worship. Harry also has a younger brother, John who is married to Margaret and they are a lovely Christian couple. There is also a cousin with the same name and he is married to another Margaret. So the Strang influence continues at Dawson Community Church.

It has been a great honour for me to know Harry Strang even for a comparatively short time. His Godly influence has left a deep impression on me and especially his faith in times of physical suffering and adversity.

Who is that with Harry Strang? This is a photo taken in July 2022. Harry had regularly watched Alistair Begg's videos on You Tube and he had grown to admire this preacher. Harry made a determined effort to meet him at Keswick Convention in July 2022 (supported by Lorraine and the family). This meeting helped Harry in the last months of his life.