Ernest Lee Stoffel, Sr

The Reverend Dr. Ernest Lee Stoffel Dr. Ernest Lee Stoffel, Presbyterian pastor for more than 40 years, denominational leader, scholar, author, and teacher died on November 22, 2016 at the age of 93 at his home. A native of Bristol, Tennessee, Lee Stoffel graduated from King College and also received his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary. He was awarded a Seminary Fellowship to continue his graduate studies and earned three theological degrees (M.Div., Th.M., and Th.D.) from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia (now Union-PSCE). He served as senior pastor at Maxton Presbyterian Church in Maxton NC, First Presbyterian Church of Florence Alabama, First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte NC, Riverside Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville Florida, First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville Alabama, and Sardis Presbyterian Church of Charlotte NC. He was honored with the designation Pastor Emeritus by both Sardis Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church, his longest pastorate, which he served from 1955 until 1972. His first church in Maxton NC said of him: The genuineness of his faith in Christ, the gentleness and power of his appearance, the poetry and drama of his sermon, as he spoke of faith in Christ in the midst of the vicissitudes of life, awakened and ignited the heart of the Church. His presence and his preaching rang with the authority of Christ, and the Church knew from the first that there was a great man of faith in her midst. The session at First Presbyterian Church in Charlotte said of him: As a minister you have served Christ nobly; you have ever lifted Him before this congregation so that all may be drawn to Him. As a preacher you have powerfully proclaimed the Gospel in its deepest profundity and yet in the unmistakable simplicity that comes from sound knowledge illuminated by the Holy Spirit. As presbyter you have led the church to new heights of usefulness and broader visions of service" In all these you have led us with gentleness and love, and yet have ever kept before us the Glory of God. Truly it may be said with the prophet, "I will fill this house with Glory, saith the Lord of Hosts." As a pastor your service is pre-eminent". Here in this blessed place you have served Christ with nobility and deep humility, always reminding us of "the Peace of God that passeth all understanding." Following his retirement from the ministry he taught bible and religion at Queens University of Charlotte from 1985 to 1993, and was named Associate Professor Emeritus upon his retirement from teaching. He loved teaching college students and the company of scholars, and found a second calling there. He was given an honorary doctorate from Queens in 2010, when it was said: "Dr. Stoffel served the greater Presbyterian Church in many capacities, including service as chair of the Mission Board and the Division of International Missions. He also headed delegations working with the Presbyterian Churches of Zaire, Mexico, Jamaica and Grand Cayman. During the turbulent decades of the 60s and 70s, Dr. Stoffel had a vision for ministry in Charlotte. With other community leaders, he began a variety of programs working with inner-city children, including tutorial sessions and summer camps. He began the Community School of the Arts with Henry Bridges, then Director of Music at First Presbyterian, and brought a prophetic voice to the city during the era of desegregation." A natural and prolific scholar and writer, Lee Stoffel published five books on preaching and biblical theology including His Kingdom is Forever, Believing the Impossible before Breakfast; The Apocalyptic Resurrection of Jesus; and The Dragon Bound: The Revelation Speaks To Our Time. His articles have been featured in numerous journals, including Interpretation: The Journal of Bible and Theology published quarterly by Union Presbyterian Seminary from which he earned three degrees, all with high honors. Davidson College, King College, and Queens University of Charlotte all awarded him honorary doctorates. Lee"s wife Betty W. Stoffel died in 1999 and his son Bob Stoffel died in 2012. He is survived by two daughters, Bea Williams (Darren Kitto) of Swannanoa and Bonnie Stoffel of Charlotte; a son, Lee "Judge" Stoffel Jr. of Lexington NC; and a grandson, John Follett of Swannanoa. Virginia Johnston Horn has been his beloved companion for many years since his wife"s death, and a special friend of the family. A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3 at First Presbyterian Church, 200 West Trade St, Charlotte. Private interment will be in the Memorial Garden of Sardis Presbyterian Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the E. Lee Stoffel Scholarship at Queen"s University, Charlotte, NC 28274 or the Ernest Lee Stoffel Fund for Teaching Excellence in New Testament at Union Presbyterian Seminary, 5141 Sharon Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210 or 3401 Brook, Road, Richmond, VA 23227. 12/3/2016 02:00 PM Celebration of Life First Presbyterian Church