I was just informed that Bishop Gregory Ingram is in serious condition in a hosptial in Capetown, South Africa. His grave condition is result of a tragic automobile accident. the Rev. David Van Neel, the driver of the automobile, was killed in the accident! Rev. David has been instrumental and a real force in the AIDS Ministry within the area! His presence will be missed! Please pray for the recovery of Bishop Ingram! Also, pray for Rev. Jessica, that God will give her the strength needed for such a time as this! Pray also for the family which has lost a loved one...Rev. David! He now has transitioned from the Church Militant...to the Church Triumphant! "Servant of God...Well Done!"

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2003

Answers

As far as I know David Van Neel is not an ordained pastor. I have been to see the Bishop today and He is in great spirit despite the very heavy setback as far as his friend is concerned. I believe he has some heavy injury to his ankle, ribs and chest.

God is able

Gerald Thomas

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2003

Thank you Gerald for the timely update! I have been informed that David was a minister, however, not ordained! He was deeply committed and involved in the AIDS Ministry. He will sorely be missed! Praise God that Bishop Ingram is doing well!

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2003

Yes we need to pray for our Bishop and the family of late Bro. David van Neel.

A intercessory prayer service will be held at St. Matthew AME Church in Elsies River.We need to counter the attack against our leadership and the way God has laid it on my heart is through prayer. We request that the church join in prayer for the ministries of Bishop Ingram as well as David van Neel. David will be remembered for his commitment to victims of HIV/Aids and his positive personality.

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2003

The Bethel AMEC - Champaign, IL will be praying for Bishop Gregory and Bro. David and their families.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2003

Bro. Ray we at St. Paul Community A.M.E. Church, Bozeman,Montana will also pray for Bishop Ingram and David Van Neels family. God bless you for posting the news on the board!

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2003

My prayers and sympathy is extended for Bishop Ingram's recovery, Mother Ingram's strength and Brother Neel's family in the wake of this satanic attack upon the people of God. Let us affirm:

Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Until His Coming Again, I Remain

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2003

My prayers and sympathy are extended for Bishop Ingram's recovery, Mother Ingram's strength and Brother Neel's family in the wake of this satanic attack upon the people of God. Let us affirm:

Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Until His Coming Again, I Remain

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2003

At the St Paul AME, Cambridge Sunday services, Pastor Attles announced this tragic accident to us and led the congregation in prayer and asked that we all pray for Bishop Ingraham and the family of Bro Van Neel. We know that God will heal and bring comfort. The members of St Paul are in prayer for him, led by our Pastor. God Bless Brother Bob

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2003

The latest update is that Bishop Ingram is recovering very well. We pray God's strength to the Rev. Mother Jessica and their daughter, and we trust that bishop will return soon to lead the flock of Christ. Brother Dawid Van Neem was a trusted friend of our bishop, and who has left no stone unturned in the renovation of the 15th Episcopal District Headoffice, the Hiv/Aids ministry. He surely will be missed in the 15th Episcopal District and we pray God's comfort on the Van Neel family.

Will someone in the Cape please update when the late Brother Van Neel will be buried?

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2003

I thank all the BB readers who has posted their condolences, who has said special prayers and those who have called the Van Neel Residence and in what-ever special way you have responded to this tragic episode.

As the late Bro. DM van Neel's Pastor, I am giving you the following information as to his funeral. May 17, 2003 at 08h00 - Short Family Service Preacher: P.E. Rev. LT Pezi at 09h00 - Service in Vinton Anderson AMEC Preacher: Rev.WC Legolie, II at 11h00 - Short service in United Reformed Church where Rev. WN Ross will be the preacher.

May God continue to bless you all. Rev. William C Legolie, II

-- Anonymous, May 14, 2003

Once again I am away from this board for a few days and much has happened. First my profound sympathies and prayers for the Van Neel family. May God reach done from Heaven to comfort you through this awful experience.

I too will keep Bishop Ingram in prayer as will my family. for his dear wife and family I extend our deepest regards and prayers. God Bless You All

-- Anonymous, May 14, 2003

Pastor Derrick Thomas and the entire Solid Rock AME Church family extend our prayers, hearts, and sympathy to the family of Bro. David Van Neel. We pray that God will give them strength and comfort during this season of bereavement.

We also are also praying for Bishop Gregory Ingram's spiritual, physical, and emotional recovery. And for God to give strength and comfort to his wife Rev. Jessica Ingram.

Peace & Blessings Rev. Lisa Marie Thomas

-- Anonymous, May 16, 2003

Friends from the Ecumenical Stewardship Center extend our prayers on behalf of the family and friends of Bro. David Van Neel. We also pray for God's healing embrace of Bishop Gregory Ingram and comforting embrace of Rev. Rev. Jessica Ingram. Bishop Ingram has served as a board member of this Center. Rev. Ed Taylor, Executive Director

-- Anonymous, May 16, 2003

It is with great sadness that I type this response. I was just informed on yesterday of the tragic events that occurred. It touches me on another level because my best friend was in her second car accident this year and came out alive. I am thankful that the Lord spared her life, and I am also thankful that in the "dash" of Min. David Van Neel's life, there were meaningful things that took place. He was a man of God and he gave so much to so many and for that, I am grateful. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but his spirit shall continue to live on throughout the Connection. His earthly work has been completed and now God has an even greater work for him to do amongst the angels in heaven.

I am also grateful that the life of Bishop Ingram has been spared. This means that the Lord has not finished with him just yet. He still has a task for him to complete here. So I solicit the prayers of the Connectional Church that his health may be restored and his spirit renewed.

It has often been said by the elders that one should rejoice when a servant has been called home to glory and grieve when a child is born. It took me many years to understand this concept and why someone would even speak it. However, I also understand that it is during a time of bereavement that even someone who believes that will have a difficult time accepting the concept. I pray the Lord will be with both families during this time, and that He guide the Van Neel family through the five stages of grief and lead them to understand that He alone is God and has a plan for His people. They shall remain in my prayers...

Peace and Blessings, Keisha :-)

-- Anonymous, May 19, 2003