Eric David Delve

If you ever hear one day that I've died - don't believe it, I'll be more alive in Christ than I've ever been!

Obituary

Eric David Delve

4 September 1942—17 September 2025

Eric passed away peacefully, surrounded by close family, on the evening of Wednesday 17 September 2025. He is survived by his wife, Pat, and children Sarah, Glenn, Joanne, Rebekah, Andrew, and Grace together with twelve grandchildren. He was dearly loved and will be sorely missed.

One of Britain’s leading evangelists of the late twentieth century, Eric will be remembered for his charismatic speaking style, incorporating much humour, including his memorable ability to switch accents at will; a broad Yorkshire accent for the disciples was perhaps one of the most well-known. He was a brilliant storyteller and a preacher who displayed intelligence, depth, knowledge of the scriptures, and wit in equal measure. He was known for his irreverence, targeted at more conservative elements of the church. It’s been said that Eric 'had a great talent for taking just the right amount of risk, and openness to breaking convention and letting the Spirit work, while being based on a respect for tradition, unchanging values and Biblical truth.'

Eric grew up in a Christian home but wasn’t fully convinced by his relationship with Jesus during his teenage and early adult years. In his twenties, he was in a horse exercise ring on Epsom Downs in the early hours of the morning, when God finally caught up with him. After a shouting match with God, exhausted in the pouring rain, Eric clearly remembers God asking him, 'Shall we get on with it then?' As he began to express his faith publicly, it became apparent that he was a talented communicator and had a gift for evangelism. Indeed, in the early 1970’s Billy Graham’s right-hand man heard Eric speaking at a Hyde Park convention and invited Eric to meet Billy in the United States.

Following his meeting with Billy Graham, Eric began working as an itinerant evangelist. He launched the Down to Earth Trust in the 1980s and started travelling across the country and internationally, partnering with local churches that hosted missions and allowed him to preach the gospel. He also conducted more than a hundred university missions, often working alongside other up-and-coming evangelists such as J.John. Thousands of people were impacted by him during this time, with many Christians discovering a new impetus and life in their faith, and many others meeting Jesus for the first time. He was routinely referred to as ‘Britain’s answer to Billy Graham,’ perhaps typified by invitations to preach at the Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena. It was during this time that Eric published his first book: To Boldly Go.

In 1988, Eric decided to train for ordination within the Anglican Church. Considered by some as a ‘settling down,’ he viewed it more as a strategic move. In his mind, if the church in the UK were to see revitalisation and awakening, the Church of England had to be transformed. Eric felt strongly that the only way to do that was from the inside. He trained at Trinity College in Bristol, served his curacy at St Matthew’s in Redland, and was made vicar at St Lawrence, Kirkdale in inner city Liverpool. Eric referred to Kirkdale as the place where he relearned the power of the Gospel.

From May 1996 to December 2012, Eric was the vicar of St Luke’s in Maidstone: a thriving, charismatic, community-driven church with a parish exceeding 10,000 people. While at St Luke’s, in 2000, Eric co-founded the Detling Summer Conference which ran until 2015. Attracting thousands of people to its summer events at the Kent County Showground, Detling enabled Eric to continue to impact people beyond the boundaries of his parish ministry. He also continued to travel extensively during this time and throughout his retirement.

Humble to the risks of public ministry, one of Eric’s greatest joys was to be part of a peer-to-peer mentoring and accountability group called the RHINOs. He was an active participant in the group for over 40 years. Its name summed Eric up perfectly: Really Holy, If Naughty Occasionally.

Eric co-authored the Billy Fidget Letters with Nick Battle; co-authored God Can Use You with Clive Calver; and authored Live Like You Mean It.

Despite his failing health, Eric managed to complete what he considered his magnum opus, a work on the Trinity which will be released in due course.

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Memory wall

September 27, 2025

I first came to St Luke’s for an evening service in 2007 when I was going through 9 months of chemo. I didn’t know anyone.
Derek was at the door and just made me feel so special. I came back about a month later - he remembered me and he remembered I was going through chemo. I was amazed.
He had such a big heart for Jesus and for everyone he met.
What a remarkable man and what a blessing to think of him now with Jesus.
I send my love and condolences to all his family.

Claire Freeth

September 26, 2025

Precious Eric. I wished I knew what to say. I lost my dad in my mid 30s. It devastated me but Eric was one of a small number of wonderful men who stepped up and fathered this fatherless man. I will never forget you.

Rich Faulkner

September 26, 2025

I attended Eric's "Down To Earth" mission in (I think) 1982. He was a funny, engaging preacher with great gifts in touching the head as well as the heart. That night was one of the stepping stones for me to explore what has become over thirty years of ordained ministry. God bless you, Eric, now rest from your labours with the Lord you served so faithfully.

Fr. Kevin Crinks AG

September 26, 2025

There is much to remember and be grateful from many years with Eric leader of St Luke’s. For the way he helped us recognise our gifting. The courses he wrote and led. Bringing the gospel alive and relevant for everyone. Working with him and seeing the pastoral side he had and compassion. Going on ministry trips with him. Seeing him panic at remembering his Roman nail was still in his hand luggage at the airport! Getting it through Unnoticed to be shown again in many sermons. Praying for many hours for the people in churches he visited. Stretching us all to do the unimaginable as the vision for the Detling summer conferences came into being. Seeing how he was made for the big stage to bring the good news of Jesus. Then as he took weddings and people leaving saying they would go to church if all were like this. Too many to write here. Not sure he realised how many lives he touched but it’s enough to know Jesus saw.

Maureen Elliott

September 25, 2025

Thanks Eric for coming to preeach at my church when I was 9 years old. It was a parade service for Boys Brigade and Campaigners and I had just started Campaigners. You preached the gospel and at the end of your sermon, you asked everyone to close our eyes and then for those of us who wanted to accept Jesus as our Lord and saviour and friend to put our hands up. I put my hand up along with my sister. You asked all of us who had put our hands up to come and see you afterwards. My sister and I came to you and you checked that we had understood the gospel message and then led us in a prayer of commitment to Jesus. You could have fobbed us off as we were just children as so many people would have done. 2-3 years later, I was really depressed and made the first attempt to take my own life. It is only due to your compassion and understanding in allowing us to make that commitment that I made it through to senior school and not hell. I owe you and Jesus so much.

Heidi Tribe

September 25, 2025

My family had the privilege of sitting under Eric's ministry at St Luke's for all the years he was with us. I really appreciated his motivational & faith raising style & never felt reluctant to invite someone along. There were personal times too, such as the occasion he came & 'sat with us' when our daughter had a serious health diagnosis. His compassion was manifest in so many ways. Our love to Pat & the family, with so many fond memories

Tony Jones

September 25, 2025

Eric, Clive and Roger blew us out of the water and into the ship of living for Christ at Spring80. Changed my life and many others.

Mark coleman

September 24, 2025

I can't be there on the day but want to honour Eric who often had time for me personally as a young evangelist. I was involved in Mission to London in 1984, my first contact with him. His honesty and authenticity was something I drew strength from. Enjoy Heaven dear brother. Much love to Pat and the family.

Maurice Vitty

September 24, 2025

I will forever remain grateful for the impact Eric had on my life. I will deeply miss his phone calls, his wisdom, and his counsel.
I still remember the last time I called him. I asked, “Do you remember who I am?” He replied, “One thing I know: you are my dear, dear daughter in God.”
He was a father to so many, a true man after God’s own heart.
Now he rests in the embrace of his Savior, forever missed, yet never forgotten here on earth.

Elona Prroj

September 24, 2025

I would say I was a distant follower.....I will never forgot the day I saw Eric Delve speak @ new wine ( approx 1998)where he spoke about being mad @ God for 4 days and @ the end of it he heard God say , is that it? We can only presume it was......

Plus I got to do one of thoes prayer walks approx 2017 and he was there for some of it , in Canterbury,probably the last time I saw him......to be honest this is not so sad .......can you imagine how happy he is now with his great friend Roger Forster and many others..in heaven,...even my Dad !!!!

In this life he knew my friend Hilary Marshall- Moody more than me....I look forward to seeing him again in heaven....plus my Dad and others.....'we do not grieve as thoes who have no hope'.....

God bless
Love
Katherine Hortense
Nee Kate Mills

Katherine Hortense

September 24, 2025

I heard the Gospel and understood it in a new way when Eric shared it over 20 years ago at a service at St.Luke's. I was very blessed to have him as my Vicar for 10 years and in that time get introduced to so many incredible friends, be baptised and married by him. So grateful for his kindness, his relatable and down to earth preaching and passion for Jesus! I know he's living his best life now but praying for Pat and the family as they miss him deeply, that they would feel the Lord's closeness and comfort xx

Chantal Rogers

September 24, 2025

1975-77- I was fresh out in the big wide world, having grown up in rural Leicestershire, at Froebel Institute College , Roehampton . Eric used to come to speak at our CU and I loved it when he came - he helped me to stay grounded and to grow in my faith at such an important and wonderful transitional time of my life. 46 years on and I am still growing after many years of ministry and with children also in ministry and teenage grandchildren all finding their way in the Kingdom. . Thanks for the great start , Eric.

Karen Smith

September 24, 2025

Thank you for the way you impacted my life with the message of Jesus. Enjoy your eternal rest good and faithful servant.

Phil Brooks

September 24, 2025

I remember hearing Eric at spring harvest and his clear explanation of the gospel and his funny stories played a big part in me become a Christian.
He answered some of my worries with such clarity. Thanks to God for him,

Carrie Vibert

September 24, 2025

So many memories of our time at St. Luke’s. One special moment was when you married our younger daughter and her husband; prophesying over them during a beautiful service. It was a privilege to serve both at the church and Detling.
Diane and John.

Diane Nicholls

September 24, 2025

My dear Eric,
So many memories, such an inspiration to many thousands through his ministry, and wonderful times during missions both here and overseas. Rest in Peace my friend with you’re Lord and Saviour.Good bye my friend until we meet some day

Brian Harris

September 24, 2025

We first met when I was at Goldsmiths College, helping organise a week of evangelism. Eric made an impression on both non-Christians and Christians alike. What a lovely man! I will ever be grateful to him for helping deepen my faith.

Jan Stainer

September 24, 2025

We're so very grateful for Eric's life & ministry. I first met him as a teenager in Hexham during a mission there, when our host asked me to pray for the Yorkshire puds to rise for Sunday lunch for Eric!!. He became a friend & gave us time in marriage preparation & then preached memorably at our wedding long before he was ordained. He travelled up during a mission on the south coast to do this for us. He's been on the end of a phone at very important moments throughout life, with wisdom and compassionate love. Always pointing to Jesus, Eric's preaching brought friends to faith, and his straight talking was so helpful. Our joy that he is with his Lord is held alongside compassion and love for Pat & all his family.

Rachel Hudson

Family tree

Other family members

Catherine Delve

Daughter-in-law

Susanna Delve

Daughter-in-law

Luca Crestanello

Son-in-law

Louise Delve 

Honorary granddaughter 

Fred Delve

Irene Small

Patricia Anne Delve

Jennifer Shafik

Sarah Jayne Delve

Glenn David William Delve

Children

James

Cameron

Joanne Emma Delve

Children

Lea

Tommaso

Rebekah Faith Delve

Children

Jack

Joseph

Andrew Nicholas Eric Delve

Children

Casper

Cleo

Anouk

Raphael

Grace Thornton-Delve

Children

Matthew

Irie 

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Jennifer Shafik

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Patricia Anne Delve

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Sarah Jayne Delve

Glenn David William Delve

James

Cameron

Joanne Emma Delve

Lea

Tommaso

Rebekah Faith Delve

Jack

Joseph

Andrew Nicholas Eric Delve

Casper

Cleo

Anouk

Raphael

Grace Thornton-Delve

Matthew

Irie 

Eric Delve

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