One year ago I took a Communication class taught by Rev. Frank Kik. He was a tall witty fellow with a dry humor, but a quick mind. Professor Frank Kik was the son of the renown Postmillenial Theologian Marcellus Kik. Frank Kik taught us many things of which I agreed and some which I strongly disagreed. Nevertheless he left a powerful impression on the students after that memorable week. I remember on the last day of class where all students aware of a possible surgery he would face that summer went to the front and laid hands on him and prayed. Frank Kik was controversial, bold, but caring and kind. I will never forget what he told me one time after a small homily I delivered: “Those whom God gifted will be required much.” Dr. Kik encouraged but was well aware of the responsibilities of ministry. He often played with me by speaking a few Spanish words though I had told him several times I was Brazilian. This was just his humorous nature that was evident everyday in class.
I remember a passage all students had to present as an introduction to a sermon was Esther 4:14 which reads: For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the royal position for such a time as this. Indeed God brought Rev. Kik to this world to accomplish His sovereign plan at an appointed time. May God be honored in this time of rejoicing and grief.
DR. FRANK KIK GOES HOME TO BE WITH THE LORD
Dr. Frank N. Kik, James Baird Professor of Practical Theology at the RTS Charlotte campus, has gone home to be with the Lord. Dr. Kik died on Tuesday, August 1, at 6:30 am. The funeral service will be held at Carmel Presbyterian Church, 2048 Carmel Road in Charlotte on Friday, August 4, at 11:00 am. Visitation hours will be from 6-8 p.m., Thursday at McEwen Funeral Home, 10500 Park Road in Pineville. There will also be a memorial service in Wichita, KS at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, where Dr. Kik pastored for 18 years, on Tuesday at 2:00 pm.
Thanks for this reflection. I was googling Dr. Kik today because I wanted to thank him for getting me started in dedicating my life to Christ many years ago. He was my pastor at Knox Presbyterian Church in Kenmore, NY back in 1969 and treated my 16 year-old desire to serve God with a kind of respect and gravity not usually accorded to young people in that time. And though he was from another generation, he supported the movement of me and several others of our church youth group to start a “Jesus paper”, a christian rock group and then a commune in that era of “Jesus Freaks”. While others in the evangelical community looked askance at our long hair, beards and social-gospel leanings, he embraced us, mentored us and encouraged us to bring our faith out into the world. His teaching and belief in us -in me- had a powerful shaping effect on the rest of my life.
What a great testimony. Thanks for sharing. That elevates even more his memory. Peace be with you.
As one who worked with Frank Kik for the last 10 years of his life, he was the one and only Dr. Kik. Controversial and old school, but he knew how to pastor people. He is still missed and I can still hear his voice and quote him often.
Thanks for this.