Tribute to Ivar Overgaard

A Champion Finished His Course

Dr. Ivar Overgaard, 65 - "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

Ivar Overgaard died suddenly while vacationing with his wife, Kari, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Monday, February 23, 2009. He was a visionary, pioneering leader of the College of Prayer (COP) over the past 14 years. He was part of the first graduating class of the COP and is responsible for establishing four strong COP campuses in Norway.

He pastored churches in Brooklyn and Staten Island, New York, Oslo, Tromso and Stavanger, Norway. He was a brilliant theologian having received his masters' degree in theology from Oslo University where he taught Greek and Hebrew while completing his studies. He received his doctor of ministry degree from Trinity University in Deerfield, Illinois, in 1993 and was an adjunct faculty member at Ansgar Theological Seminary in Kristensand, Norway, where he also served on the board. He was conversant in at least seven languages and spoke three of them fluently.

Ivar was tall in stature and stood even taller as a man of high moral integrity and visionary leadership. He was a fountain of wise counsel, keen discernment and great decision-making ability. These virtues benefitted not only the local churches he served, but also the College of Prayer International where he served as the COP Regional Director for Europe. The name Overgaard literally means "higher farm" or "higher vantage point"; both were true of Ivar.

The week prior to his death, he and Kari were in Atlanta for the Annual COP Meetings. They participated whole-heartedly in worship, intercession and strategic planning along with a team of five other COP leaders from Norway. Each day Ivar expressed his profound gratitude to God that his wife was able to join him and experience first-hand the invigorating dynamic of the COP International.

Dr. Overgaard is survived in addition to his wife by his two sons, Oistein and Frode, his daughter, Cecilie Miller, and seven grandchildren all of whom live in Stavanger, Norway. The memorial service is scheduled to be held 2:00 PM, Friday, March 6, in Stavanger Metropolitan Community Church. The President of the COP, Fred Hartley, will be participating in the funeral and will represent a large COP family who would all love to have been there as well. "We have all lost a leader whom we all admire; I have lost a best friend," Hartley says. "The scripture that keeps coming to my mind is 'Work while it is yet day; night comes when no one can work.' (John 9:4) During this past week of COP leadership meetings, God spoke to all of us about setting our hand to the plow of revival and not looking back. A strong call of commitment was extended to each one of us. Ivar's death further confirms that call and our resolve to finish the course."

Ivar's death was shocking to all of us; several specific details, however, allow us to see God's larger purposes.

One year ago at the College of Prayer in Atlanta the Lord told Ivar, "Take your two sons to Uganda to be part of the College of Prayer." Though it was a costly investment, Ivar obeyed the Lord and enjoyed a life-transforming week of ministry with his two sons in Uganda which they will never forget.

A year ago Kari was so ill they were making plans for her funeral; son, Oistein, had a chronic illness; son, Frode, was on year's sick leave suffering from severe fatigue. This past year God brought Kari through major surgery and has restored to her remarkable health. He also healed both sons. There is also evidence God has given two of Ivar and Kari's grandchildren the gift of healing! (These granddaughters have prayed for the sick and have seen dramatic healings take place.)

Kari has testified, "This past week at the College of Prayer was so wonderful. I loved every minute of it. I never knew all God was doing through Ivar and the College of Prayer; now I understand why Ivar was so passionately involved." She added, "I met God so profoundly last Friday; it certainly prepared me for Ivar's passing like nothing else could have possibly done."

It was no coincidence that five other leaders from Norway attended the COP meetings in Atlanta with Ivar. God is raising up other leaders to carry on the ministry of the COP throughout Norway and throughout Europe.

The Monday he died, Ivar and Kari had enjoyed a great day of shopping, laughter, and healthy interaction. That night (February 23, 2009) Ivar and Kari fell asleep praying in each others' arms; in the morning when the phone rang, Kari got up to answer it and realized Ivar was gone. (What an incredible way to spend your final night, in your husband's arms praying together.)

The day before they were in church together and enjoyed a powerful message on marriage. They spent the rest of the day discussing God's goodness to both of them over their 42 years of marriage. It was discovered that Ivar had changed the voice message on his home phone prior to their trip to Atlanta, "I love you all; please pray for Kari." (This is the message people heard when they called the home following his death. What a final message to friends and family!)

After his death, Ivar's son, Oistein, contacted a soloist in Stavanger asking her if she could sing at his dad's funeral. The soloist relayed this story. Prior to leaving Norway to come to Atlanta for the College of Prayer, Ivar contacted this same soloist and asked her to learn the song, "Higher Ground", which he wanted her to sing. The soloist and Oistein were both amazed ... wondering if Ivar even knew ahead of time somehow that he was actually requesting the song for his funeral.

Bishop Julius Oyet is traveling to Norway to facilitate two modules of the COP this next week. Please be in prayer for them.

The COP family both grieves the loss of their pioneering leader and earnestly resolves to give themselves whole-heartedly to Christ to mentor pastors and Christian leaders who will reach a lost world through a revived church both inside and outside the walls.

Please watch this short video of Ivar expressing his genuine heart to reach a lost world through a revived church. It was recorded last year for the College of Prayer.