Morris Vaagenes Obituary, Death – It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that Reverend Morris Vaagenes, one of the Fathers in the Body of Christ, has passed on to be with Jesus. He was one of the pioneers in the Christian faith. Of course, it makes me joyful to think of him in heaven, and I can hear him yelling, “Good Morning!” the moment he stepped foot in that place for the very first time. In 1971, Pastor Vaagenes, Dick Denny, and a number of other pastors from the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area founded the International Lutheran Renewal Center.
The following year, in 1972, they organized and hosted the very first Holy Spirit Conference. (During that first year, I was one of the thousands of people that participated.) In 1975, more than 25,000 people participated in the conference that holds the record for biggest attendance. Morris was a visionary who gave permission and was filled with the Holy Spirit; during his time as pastor of Lutheran Renewal and North Heights Lutheran Church, the congregations grew significantly and gained significant influence.
Each and every one of the seeds that Morris planted will proceed to bear a great deal of fruit all across the earth. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to know such a wonderful, kind, generous, and anointed man. During this difficult moment, may God grant his family peace and strength. (I’m just sharing how I got to know Morris through North Heights and Lutheran Renewal; he influenced the world in so many other ways; I’m just sharing how I got to know him.)
