In the early morning of June 14, 2001, the telephone awoke us. Who would be calling this early? I answered the phone and heard Pastor Ruben May (Johannesburg, South Africa) on the end of the line. His voice was quiet and sad. Something was wrong. “Last night, Grant was carjacked and later murdered”. Thoughts started flooding my mind. “Why Grant?” “God, why did you allow this to happen?”
Grant had entered our lives in 1984. He came to the church in Hillbrow as a result of being invited by a temporary secretary at the law office where he was working. At first, his attendance was rather sporadic, but he soon accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as His Saviour. As time went by, Grant became very involved in various church ministries. He had a great love for the people in Hillbrow, especially the children. He would faithfully do door to door visitation, and he ministered in the Awana Club Ministry. He also became an excellent preacher of the Word.
After we left South Africa, Grant attended Bible College. In 1999 we visited South Africa and stayed with Grant for a couple of weeks. We had some terrific talks. During that time, the Hillbrow church ordained Grant for the Gospel ministry. I never heard a person do so well in an ordination council. Grant, by this time, decided to leave his full-time work as a lawyer and only work part-time. His desire was to give as much time to the Lord’s service as possible as the Assistant Pastor of the Hillbrow Independent Baptist Church.
Though Grant is in the presence of the Lord, he is greatly missed by many people in Johannesburg. Here was one person who selflessly gave his life for those around him.
During the aftermath of Grant’s death, the young people in the Hillbrow church were challenged to fill the shoes that Grant had left behind. One of the young people responded: “His shoes are too big for us to fill.” Though many in this world never knew Grant, he was truly a man greatly used of God.
I thank the Lord for the privilege to have had been Grant’s pastor and friend. He truly lived out 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Bible Treasures for Today 
Hi pastor, truly encouraging. I remember Pastor Grant getting upset many times over issues I thought were “trivia”, but as i have grown over the years i am now beginning to understand his expressions of disappointment and disapproval. I believe he was a holy man who walked closed to the Lord. God bless
Grant was truly an example.
Donovan and David, you are both a testimony of Grant’s ministry! You are both serving the Lord and being used of Him. Keep up the good work!
We didn’t realize that Grant was murdered, we remember meeting him at Hillbrow. Thanks for posting this testimony for Grant’s life.. Also wondering whatever happened to Eddie, who worked for SAA. Pray all is well with you, Sharon and family..I have enjoyed FB and being able to stay in contact with everyone..God Bless
Mary & Bobby Ray