Justin Spencer, age 17, fell to his death Tuesday, March 23, during a hike following completion of a mission project in Cascas, Peru.

Justin and his 14-year-old sister Jillian had been building churches and conducting meetings and VBS classes during the weeklong outreach sponsored by the Pleasant Hill Church. Justin had recently returned from a three week Global Evangelism series in Romania with Pastor Ron Torkelson and his friend Levi Villareal (see NCC Newsletter – March 2004), both of whom were also with him in Peru.

The night before the accident, Justin preached an sermon including the words, “You don’t know what the future has in store for you, but I can tell you I have made my decision for Jesus. I’m going to be in Heaven, and I want you to be there, too.” These closing words were not from sermon notes, but a heartfelt testimony of his personal relationship with God.

Justin had worked on the new cement floor of the Peruvian church and it was curing during the hike. It has been inscribed with his name, and the church has been named “Justin’s Church” in his memory. A tree planted outside will bloom red like his hair.

Justin spent some of his early years in southern California, attending San Fernando Valley Academy, Crescenta Valley Adventist School and La Sierra Academy before moving to Pleasant Hill in time to begin eighth grade. He was a Pathfinder who especially loved the outdoors, mountain climbing, caving, wrestling and biking. He worked summers at Leoni Meadows, most recently with forestry, and his photo is in this year’s Leoni Meadows recruitment brochure. Justin was also Student Association religious vice president, an athlete, musician and a member of the class of 2004 at Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy, where his parents, Michael and Lori Spencer, both teach. Many got to know Justin and the Spencers through Michael’s work as pianist for the men’s vocal group Christian Edition.

At a celebration of Justin’s life held Sabbath, April 3, at Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy, many friends of the family, Justin’s schoolmates, and others contributed to honoring Justin’s memory in song and word.

The Spencers have established a memorial fund at Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy in Justin’s name to assist with future mission trips.

The Spencer family thanks everyone for the prayers that are holding their family before God’s throne. “We feel loved and comforted by God’s Holy Spirit and all of His many human hands,” said Michael. They claim the promises of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 which says, “We will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.”