Pastor Jeff Beacham, founder of Firepower Ministries International (FMI), has died after a long battle with esophageal cancer.
In the most recent update on FMI’s Facebook page, dated July 19, Beacham said he had just completed a round of radiation on his “upper and mid spine to reduce the pain and paralysis in [his] arms and back.”
“I am grateful to be relieved of most of the pain to the point where I can be comfortable sitting and sleeping,” he wrote. “This is a major relief and I thank God for the technology that has helped.”
Joshua Kennedy, an FMI governing board member, sent out an email alert on Thursday that said Beacham has gone to be with the Lord.
“Jeff will be forever missed and never forgotten,” wrote Kennedy, a reverend at Praise Tabernacle in Egg Harbor Township, N.J. “He has touched all our lives, pushing us forward into our high calling, in which we are eternally grateful.
“Jeff ran the race to win the prize and is now enjoying the reward of his labor. Let us look at his example of perseverance and follow suit.”
Beacham spearheaded an awakening campaign in the northeast region of the U.S. under the banner of Firepower Ministries International. Even throughout his battle with cancer, he continued his work in ministry.
“Twice I’ve been given a death sentence from doctors concerning my struggle,” the Australian preacher told Charisma earlier this year. “But I’m still here, so somebody was wrong.”
Arriving stateside 14 years ago, Beacham walked away from a flourishing ministry with Sydney Christian Life Centre, now part of Hillsong Church. Beacham, his wife and their five children landed with only a few suitcases, meager possessions and some furniture.
“God showed me a vision of a great wheel of reawakening rolling into the northeast of America,” he said of this new work. “There were four giant spokes connecting the outer rim to the inner hub. On each of the spokes was a word beginning with the letter ‘P.’”
Beacham believed one spoke was for prayer, meant to capture the attention of God; one for purpose, attained from hearing God’s heart; another for power, which enables the outworking of God’s purposes; and a fourth for passion, meant to move people from apathy to activity. Beacham said everything revolved around the inner hub, on which was the word unity, which counteracts the spirit of independence.
“Let us take Jeff’s baton of carrying the vision of the ‘wheel of reawakening’ forward,” Kennedy said. “Yes, a mighty warrior has left this earth, yet the legacy of this great man will live on through those he inspired.
“Please keep Melva [his wife] and the rest of Jeff’s family in prayer. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established. Details to come.”
Peter K. Johnson contributed to this report.
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