Word has been received of the death of Dr. Pierre Yougouda, who served as president of the union of Grace Brethren churches in the Central African Republic until his recent retirement from that position. He died on July 27, 2017. A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 5, 2017, at the Castors church. He will be buried near Janet Varner at the James Gribble Center.
Below is a portion of a tribute from Dr. David Guiles, executive director, Encompass World Partners, that will be read at the service.
It is with a mixture of sadness and joy that I send this letter to you.
On the one hand, we join you in grieving the loss of a faithful professor, mentor and father, Dr. Yougouda Pierre. Some five years ago, my father passed to his eternal reward. As a pastor, mentor and father, he also impacted the lives of many people. As no other person can fill the place left empty by my own father, no other person can fill the place left vacant by the home-going of Dr. Yougounda. He will be missed. Yes, we sit with you in this moment of sadness.
But we also join you in celebrating his unique life and ministry, and we rejoice in the confidence that he will receive his eternal reward. Dr. Yougouda’s teaching and example impacted many young men and women as they prepared to serve as pastors and leaders in the UEEF and beyond. While his physical presence will be missed, his influence will continue through the lives of the many pastors, students and wives that he touched. So, while sitting with you in this moment of sadness, we also stand with you in celebrating the impact of this great servant of God.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and missionary staff of the Mission Evangélique des Frères, we honor the memory of our fellow leader and collaborator, Dr. Yougouda Pierre. And we assure you that his family, friends, colleagues and former students are in our prayers.