Because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
All fear is gone
Because I know
He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives
God’s pursuit of our hearts begins way before we know to recognize it. Years ago, I attended a funeral of a family saying good-bye to their young child. I vividly remember the impact it had on my life hearing them sing in the middle of their sadness. I could not understand it. I didn’t know Christ, and I had never seen anything like that before.
I didn’t know it then, but God was pursuing me and He used that experience to impress my heart.
A few hours ago, we gathered around Jonathan’s bed and we began singing. His breathing was shallow and labored.
And then one day
I’ll cross the river
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain
And then as death
Gives way to victory
I’ll see the lights
Of glory and
I’ll know He lives
Jonathan closed his eyes in this world and opened them to His heavenly Father as his family and closest friends sang the very words God had used years ago to begin drawing me to Himself. In God’s economy, nothing is wasted. He sees what we can’t see. He knows what we don’t know. He can be trusted.
Thank you for every prayer, every word, every demonstration of love and support. Jonathan left entrusting his family to His Heavenly Father, knowing we will not be alone. We love you. We are grateful. We are still in the journey.
In the blink of an eye we will be together again.
Eyes on the Unseen 
Love you Karla! You are not alone. Praying for you and your precious kiddos.
Pegs
Praying much for you Karla and your kids and family! Because He Lives!
Love,
John and Julie Kirkland
Nairobi, Kenya
Oh, Bean family. Our hearts ache and rejoice all at the same time. We will continue praying for peace and joy for all of you. What an incredible man of God your Jonathan was!
Praying for you and your family during this time of loss!
Karla, we are praying for you and the kids in Uganda. God is moving hearts globally on behalf of your family.
Lo siento. Recibe un abrazo afectuoso y mis condolencias.
Sweet Bean family,
You have been in our deepest prayers and will continue to be. We are grateful for you all and are mourning the loss of an incredible man of faith, husband, father and friend to many here on earth. We can only imagine the homecoming that is happening in heaven. You are so loved!
Love, The Collins Family
Brian, Katie, Luke, Ellie and Caleb
Jonathan made such an impact on so many lives for God’s glory. Praying for you Karla and your children.
Karla,
The Lord be with you. You and your family are so loved and my prayers will continue before our King for you all. Lifting up a hallelujah and prayer of thanksgiving for the powerful witness you are for our Lord and Savior. Praying He will continue to provide for your everything . Loving you, Heather Payne
I love each of you; HE loves you all the more. God bless you and keep you- may HIS face shine upon you. XXXXOOOO
We love each of you so much! You are in our thoughts & prayers.
The Winks Family
Jonathan, a man of God. I didn’t know this man personally, but I so enjoyed seeing Christ live and work through him. He will be greatly missed but rejoice in knowing where he is. Love and prayers for The Bean family.
All of our love to you and the kids. Praying for you all the time. Tom and Dedy
We have this hope as an anchor…
❤️ to all. MC
Karla, There are countless people praying for you and the children today. We love you and pray God’s comfort, hope and peace over you. Phyliss
Our thoughts and prayers are with you continually! Your words of hope will impact hearts for eternity. Love to you all!
Your family is in my prayers. What a Godly man!
Praying for peace and comfort for your family. Jonathan is not suffering any more, and we can be assured that we will see him again.
I can’t find the right words to express my sorrow for your loss, my joy for Jonathan’s new body, or my thankfulness for the amazing witness that you all have been throughout.
I know Jonathan impacted many lives in his short time here on earth- and I want you to know what an impact you have all made on me as I’ve followed along on your journey. Thank you for sharing your heart, your love, and your faith with all of us. You will all continue to be in my prayers ❤️
Thank you for letting us in to travel on this journey with you. We are grateful to have this amazing look at the Lord’s sustaining grace through your family. You are loved. The Eddins Family
So very sorry for your loss. Words are never enough . . .
Have been waking every morning praying for your family, and for Jonathan’s complete healing.
Our Lord has granted that healing, but not on earth as we all prayed.
Jonathan is seeing sweet, precious Jesus face to face. Glory!
He is free as never before. He is walking those streets of gold, is having a great family/friend reunion, and is waiting for you to join him!
Our Lord never leaves us alone, and always gives hope even in the most difficult times.
Your life of great faith is a wonderful testimony to all of us.
We know you have a hurting/aching heart, Karla and children. We pray Jesus continues to wrap you in His arms of love, protecting and sustaining you in the days ahead as you continue to lean on Him.
With His great love,
Dale and Judy Bartley
I will miss Jonathan so much. I was blessed to serve with him, to be encouraged by him, and to walk a path with him that few experience. There is no doubt that Jonathan was welcomed by the great cloud of witnesses and by the Savior, Jesus, with these words…”Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”
You will never know what an impact your journey has had on others! Y’all are truly an inspiration to all!
Praying for you and the children!
Leigh and David Johnson
So very sorry for your loss. I knew Jonathan many years ago in Jr High in Panama and have many fond memories of him. Your Blog through these difficult days have shown the desire you and Jonathan had to Glorify the Lord in ALL things. May the Lord comfort you and bring peace that only comes from him during this time. Our prayers are with you all.
In this moment of sadness and rejoicing, our souls cry and praise and trust our Father.
Dearest Karla, Please know that the Gilberts are praying for you. While we have not been able to be close to you over these past few years we have followed you from a distance. My last face-to-face interaction with Jonathan was in Thailand back when David Platt first become President of IMB. It was so great talking with him then and his heart and joy was so much like it was when I first got to know y’all back in Uzbekistan all those years ago. We share your grief and are so grateful for the faithful way Jonathan continued to follow the Lord all the way until he stepped into Glory. What a wonderful promise we have because of the gospel of our wonderful Lord. We love you. Steven Gilbert
Bean family, the Brandel family is reaching across the miles with sympathy and love. You testimony still shines.
Bean family, the Brandel family is reaching across the miles with sympathy and love. You testimony still shines.
Our lives were blessed by Jonathan during the short time we knew him. I am at the soccer field now at my son’s game and my mind goes back to watching Jonathan coach the season Jackson had him as his coach. I remember the email he sent us after the tournament game when he did not play Jackson as much as Jackson would have liked. In this email, he apologized to us, which was totally unnecessary, but showed the measure of the man he was. Jackson loved him as his coach and respected him a great deal. We love you guys and are praying for you at this difficult time. We would love to do whatever we can to help your family as you pass through this difficult time in your lives. ❤️ heidi wells
Thank you for this words. Jonathan and I were friends for years from a distance. He taught me how to be missions pastor, showed me what it meant to love the nations, loved me when I had cancer, and modeled for me what it meant to suffer well. Words can never express the impact he has made on my life. I am both thankful he is home and so deeply saddened he isn’t here with us.
I miss you, friend.
Please know that our church and my family have and will continue to pray for you all often.
Praying for the Bean family. May God’s peace and comfort surround all of you and give you an added portion of grace as you learn to do life without Jonathan.
We have all been so blessed to see God’s grace on vibrant display in your lives during this journey. We continue to trust that the Father will be the anchor for your family as you grieve. Our thoughts and prayers are continually with you and the kids. All our love, Ande & Paula Underwood & family
Praying with you through this. Yes He lives.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your children, May you feel God’s love during this time of sadness. Sincerely Kelley’s Family.
We don’t know you but you are our brother and sister. Our prayers have been on your family for a couple of months. Your pain as well as your trust have been Job-like and we have been encouraged by your praise of God in tremendous pity and pain. Be weak, dear sister and our God will strengthen you. Blane and Tonya
I am praying for all of the family and friends who will miss Jonathan in their lives. I pray that God will bring to mind the many wonderful, sweet memories of your time spent with Jonathan.
Oh, I’m so sorry, Karla. We are praying for you and your family.
My heart goes out to you during this difficult and sad time. I will continue to pray for God to comfort you and give you peace. What a legacy Jonathan left for all of you. God Bless!
My deepest sympathy.
You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hermana, ruego al Señor por consuelo para tu corazón y el de los niños. Te abrazo en la distancia
My condolences on your loss. Thank you for the journey. It’s awesome to see the love of Christ in you both. I pray that our Lord and Saviour will comfort you and your family as you go thru the valley. GOd Bless!
Karla,
What an impact for the kingdom Jonathan has made! I am rejoicing that he is no longer in pain and that you will be reunited one day. My heart hurts for you and the kids. Thank you for sharing your faith in the difficult days. I love you and will continue to pray for His peace to fill your heart. Please give the kids a big hug from me.
Emily Jackson
Karla,
We love you and those sweet kiddos so much and will continue to love you through your lives without Jonathan.
You have absolutely been an amazing witness to our family through your sharing of your grief. Your faithfulness is precious and inspirational.
Hugs all around,
The Hudson Family
Bill, Missy, Megan, Lauren, Taylor, and Andrew
So sorry Karla. We will continue to pray for you and your children.
Desde Panamá, hemos estado en oración por ustedes. Son una familia preciosa y solo podemos abrazarles en la distancia con nuestras oraciones constantes. Que nuestro Buen Dios les llene de paz y de fuerzas en medio de esta separación momentánea. Que Dios haga sentir Su amor a los niños, que El sea un Padre siempre presente para ellos. Un abrazo fuerte para ti Karla. Has sido y sigues siendo un ejemplo en todo este proceso.
We are to be and live as a reflection of Jesus and shine his light for others to see his love through us. Jonathan did just that. Thankful to have known him and looking forward to a heavenly reunion. Thank you for sharing his story through this blog. Even through this difficult, life changing event, you still ministered and shined God’s love to me and I’m certain many others who followed Jonathan’s updates. What a blessing you are. Praying for you and your children.
You and your family continue to be in our prayers. Life is hard AND God is good. You have shown me that in so many ways. May His peace guard your hearts and minds Phil 4:7
So sorry for your loss, Karla. I know that I never had the priviledge of meeting you, but my husband I got to meet Jonathan at T4G in 2016. I would love to send you a card and wasn’t sure where to send it. You can email me with either an address or another place to send it at mccartney.ashley@gmail.com. Praising God for this hope that we do have in Christ! Praying for you and the kids! Blessings!