Emil Barry Swift: Author, Pastor, and Father

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Emil Barry Swift

Emil Barry Swift went to be with Jesus on December 15, 2019. He was 66 years old.

Emil was born at Oakland, California on August 2, 1953 to Carl Swift, Jr., and Frances Swift (Stepp).

Emil grew up with his brother James (Jim) in Tracy, California and he graduated from Tracy Joint Union High School. He met his late wife, Janet Peters during a summer job in the gold country of the California foothills at her parent’s (Russell & Alva Peters) church group. Janet and Emil were married in 1972 and went on to get their degrees in ministry at Bethany Bible college at Scotts Valley, California. In 1975. after graduating from college they were led by the Spirit to come to the North Coast and join with Gospel Outreach at Light House Ranch. There, Janet and Emil served the Lord in all sorts of projects and in 1982 they were sent up to Salyer with friends to minister in a church there. They moved to Willow Creek in 1983 and eventually pastored Covenant Life Fellowship. In 1984 they were sent their first major blessing which was a daughter, Kelly Swift and several years later in 1989 they received Jordan Swift their precious son. Janet went to be with the Lord in 1993(?).

Emil was introduced to his second wife, Shell in 2001 by mutual friends and they were married in 2002. They continued to minister together working in the church and the Healing Rooms and cultivated a ministry called Rise-Up, Women! which ministered to many women in the north coast region. Emil and Shell continued to work closely together in the ministry until his death. They had a deep and abiding love that truly ministered Christ and His Church.

Emil was known for his ability to teach the depths of the Word of God in a non-religious, relatable style. He loved to teach and was known for many, many “Pastor’s Pens” in the Klamath-Trinity paper The Kourier and his blogs. He was a voracious reader, reading everything from the Bible, Kirkegaard, Karl Barth to Off The Church Wall & Asterix. Emil loved to edit and picking up any book that he’d been reading you’d find his marks and notations in the margins. Emil loved to read and write poetry and wrote several published works.
Emil’s message to the Body of Christ was Unity. That we don’t have to try to be “One” but to accept the fact that we are “One”. He went on to publish his favorite work, “The Spirit, the Word, & the Mu-Church: Achieving harmony in the Body of Christ” which he ruminated on for most of his adult lifetime before putting pen to paper.

Emil is survived by his wife, Shell; his children, Kelly (Wes), Jordan (Crystal), James (Sarah), Matt (Alta); and his brother James (Sharon). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Benjamin, Junior, Raymond and Carter whom he loved dearly. He is also survived by many Aunts, Uncles & cousins and their families. Too numerous to mention here.

Emil is greatly missed by his family and friends. We are comforted in knowing that we will see him again.