Connections Archive

Dr Bruce Manners
Senior minister, Avondale College Seventh-day Adventist Church

Charles Pointon died yesterday. I guess all of us who had known him wondered if he'd reach 100, and whether he would still be a part of Avondale College when he did. He died two years short of that 100-year milestone.

In case you haven't heard, the way of his dying was tragic. Hit by a car while crossing Freemans Drive, he was rushed to hospital but survived only a couple of hours.

I'm so glad he was honoured a few weeks back when he turned 98. In fact, just a short time before his death, I was working on a photo wall in the church foyer and hung a picture of him from that day. It shows him blowing out the candles on his cake (with help). That will remain a reminder of him for the next few months.

Charles was part of college life. You expected to find him and his electric scooter on campus somewhere, sometime during the day. You'd always find him at lunch times in the cafeteria, collecting for COSMOS.

COSMOS, which he pioneered 30 years ago, is a student-led mission club helping needy kids in overseas countries. It has raised about $140,000 over that time.

Charles's passion was helping others. And so many, students especially, caught the passion from him. They've supported COSMOS.

You didn't have to talk with Charles before long to discover he was a committed God follower. He called his autobiography, A Friend in High Places.

He died in the faith. That's more than a saying, it tells of a relationship with God. He had a strong connection with God.

That means that while he never made 100, he'll make eternity.

Charles will be happy with that.