Glenneith Burgess

I would like to take a moment to say to all the Burgess family, on behalf of my family and our church, I  would like say that our thoughts and prayers are with you today, and may God comfort your hearts during this time.  I would like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to have known such a great man as Bro Glenn Burgess. He was 42 and I was 22 when we first met in February of 1987,when he had given me an invitation  to come up and preach a revival.  That is when we started a longterm friendship with the Burgess family now over 24 years. And that friendship still remains,  not only have they been our friends, but when we lived in Washington, for seven years they were like family to us, because they had a way of making you feel like family.  Bro and sis Burgess has been to South Carolina over the last eight years preaching some of my anniversary services, taking care of my church  while I was away, sometimes staying for a month. He would make his schedule around the importance times of his family, and that showed  how much he loved his family.    He was a man you could leave your church with and never worry about him being there,  because he was a gentlemen and our people loved him because he made them feel loved and special. I have traveled with Bro Burgess to meetings, we have stayed together, eat together, been on vacations, we were with them on a cruise to mexico back in February, we've have stayed in  cabins in smoky mountains, we've taken boat rides together, I took him out to the lake on my boat to spend a day on an island and grilling steaks, enjoying his fellowship. I'm going to miss his voice, laughter, story telling the phone calls, his preaching, his advice to me as a preacher, for when I had gone thru some of the toughest times of my ministry, Bro Glenn Burgess helped me thru it, If it would be safe for me to say today that if any man could have filled every office of the fivefold ministry, in my opinion it would have been Bro Glenneith Burgess, for he was an Apostle, Prophet, evangelist, Pastor, Teacher. 
2 Timothy 4:7-I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith,

So long my friend, i expressed to you many times how your friendship made me feel like i was accomplishing something, you will never be forgotten, for we say goodbye, but it's only goodbye for now, for I will meet you in the morning, just inside the pearly gates. 

Dear Glenneith,

You were my brother-in-law, but you were much more like a real brother to me.  You and Rose were mine and Billy’s constant companions.  We did so many things together throughout the many years. 

Oh, how the precious memories keep flooding my thoughts and mind; my heart aches so deep for our great loss of you Glenneith.  I trust that time will help to heal the tremendous hurt and pain, but the love we have for you Glenneith will never fail or diminish.  We will love you forever. 

In due season, I know that we shall all be together once again.  In that day, it will be forever; as we worship our God who has so richly blessed our lives.  Goodbye for now Glenneith.  I love you.  –Helen

I remember so many good meetings with Brother Burgess.  He has always been a blessing to
Souls Harbor Apostolic Church, but especially to me.  He always had such an old-time way about him, it made you feel so close to God.  Thank God for men like Brother Burgess, and the influence he and Pastor Billy Burgess have had on our church and on all the churches of God in Washington.  We will all miss him greatly. 

Monday, November 28, 2011

My Dear Twin Brother Glenneith,

I have purposely waited until after saying my last goodbye at the graveside today before posting my letter on your memorial.  As identical twin brothers, we have lived life together for the last sixty-seven years; it was our life-time together. 

As children: we played together, attended school together, learned together, we shared our room together…we even had to share the same bed; because we were poor.  Although we were poor, we had three sisters who spoiled us, and a godly mother and father that really loved us and taught us so well about the love of God.

As teenagers: we hunted together, fished together, rode horses together, owned cars together, went so many places together, shared our clothes, shared our goals and ambitions with each other, and made so many memories together.

As adults: we started living for God together in the same revival, we received the Holy Ghost just two weeks apart; and oh, how I remember when we started preaching at the same time together.

As seasoned ministers: we cried together, laughed together, preached together, shouted and worshipped together, prayed together, loved our families together, vacationed together, rode four wheelers together, we enjoyed so many conferences together throughout the decades of ministry.

Glenneith, this is my final goodbye letter.  I shall miss you.  I know it is not forever, it’s just in this life.  Stand by the gate; for in God’s time, we shall meet again just inside the gate we’ll be together for eternity.

Love always, your twin brother Billy.

I have read through the condolances and memories and thank each one who shared your stories of this special man.  Isn't it surprising how he made us all feel special and we all thought we were his best friend!!! He had a huge capacity for love and knew how to share and express it.  
I shall always be thankful that I made the trip to Chehalis in October just to be in service with my friends. I surprised them with my viisit and I shall forever cherish the memory of the warmth and love of Bro. and Sis. Burgess; not dreaming that it would be the last time I would hear him say, "I wish that husband of yours was here".  
We have loved every time we've had the privilege to share time together in their home, our home, Branson, in church services and various venues of fellowship.  It was always positive and upbeat.
I never was around Glen and Billy when I didn't think of what it would have been like to be their Mother!!!! Age never diminished the mischeviousness twinkle in their eyes.
You didn't travel very far into a friendship with Bro. Burgess before you realized you were in the presence of a very intelligent and savvy individual.  I always said that if Glen Burgess had not been a preacher he should have been a lawyer.  He was very adept at sizing up a situation, coming to a conclusion and settling the issue. And he had a unique way of expressing himself that left no doubt where he stood or what he believed.  God knew what he was doing when he called Glenn Burgess to serve in his kingdom!
His beautiful Rose was beloved.  Their love story is a shining example to the world of how it's supposed to be. Our hearts ache for her loss as she seeks to find comfort in the embrace of the memories they shared. You didn't think separately of them - they truly were one. 
Thank you Bro. Shannon Burgess for continuing your father's legacy. I know that you and your family brought joy and peace to him as you continued the work of God in Chehalis after his retirement in a way that has made him proud.  We pray for your continued strength and wisdom as you walk forward without his voice.  However, we are confident that the same faith abides in you that abode in your father. Your tribute to him so ably expressed his position of faith and influence.
May Carla and family find strength and comfort in the coming days. You are the picture of your dad!
Knowing the great bond of love that Glenn and Billy shared, we just want to say to Bro. Billy Burgess that our hearts hurt for you. When you thought about Glen Burgess you most often said, "Glenn and Rose Burgess" or "Glenn and Billy Burgess".  It was always fun to be with the two of you as you complimented each others personalities. We are trusting God to wrap His arms around you and bring comfort at this time.
Our hearts have linked with yours the past couple weeks in prayer, support and hope. When God made his choice we cryed; not for our friend but for those of us who were left to journey on without him.  We will miss his smile, his example and his love.  Our world has been a better place because we walked for a while with a great man, Glenn Burgess!