Henry Randall Pike, 90, husband of Addien Pike, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

Born in Nashville, TN, he was a son of the late Henry and Gertrude Spears Pike.

Mr. Pike was led to Christ by his Sunday School teacher, Ruth Gifford. At eighteen years of age, he was injured in a football game and spent the remainder of his life walking on crutches. He married his sweetheart, Addien, on April 10, 1954 in Nashville, TN. Together they served the Lord in ministry for nearly 70 years in America, Australia, and South Africa. God opened doors for him and his family to travel to and preach in many countries around the world including Singapore, India, Malaysia, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Italy, Greece, England, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, France, Hawaii, Fiji, Canada, and South America, to name just a few.

He was invited to meet with everyone from tribal chiefs to Prime Ministers; from military troops in combat to entire police forces; from school children to CEOs; from churches to hostile college campuses. For many years he was involved in helping to smuggle God's Word into communist countries like China, Cuba, and East Germany to assist the persecuted Christians there. He was just as excited preaching to a tiny group of 8 or 10 people as he was to crowds of thousands. His meetings were usually well received, but many meetings were interrupted by bomb threats and personal death threats. He was both loved and hated for his unapologetic preaching of the truth, but whatever came his way, he stood boldly for Christ without ever backing down.

He earned three Ph.D.s and authored numerous books, but his life's passion was sharing the Gospel with everyone he met. His last days on this earth were spent mustering his strength to share Christ with every nurse, doctor, and hospital worker who came into his room, and to pray for each of them personally, despite his ever weakening condition. He was once described as a two-fisted, no-nonsense giant of Gospel exposition behind the pulpit, but he was also described as a man of extraordinary tenderness and painstaking politeness. This is indeed a fitting description. He could unflinchingly defend the Bible in a televised debate one evening and happily spend the next evening telling silly stories to the little boys and girls gathered around him in their living room.

He was a remarkable father and faithful mentor of God's Word to his children. However, none of this would have been possible without his wife, Addien, who stood by his side loving and encouraging him through it all. He said of her in his final days, "She is the greatest Christian I have ever known." Together they have given their lives away for the mission of Christ and, because of their selfless sacrifice, thousands of people around the world will rejoice in heaven with them one day!

Mr. Pike was a member of Morningside Baptist Church in Greenville, SC.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, David Pike, Timothy Pike (Lorraine), Rosemary Pike, and Phillip Pike (Sandra); grandchildren, Timothy Pike, Jeremy Pike, Christy Moore, Cody Pike (Michelle), Caroline Pike, and Nicholas Pike; and his brother, Harold Dean Pike.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Thelma Phillips and two brothers, James Pike and Charles Pike.

A visitation will be held on Monday, March 27, 2023 from 12:30 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. at Morningside Baptist Church, 1115 Pelham Rd, Greenville, SC 29615, followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. The graveside service and burial will be in Graceland East Memorial Park, 2206 Woodruff Rd, Simpsonville, SC 29681.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Open Door Baptist Missions at Morningside Baptist Church.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.

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