Pastor and writer Eugene Peterson died at age 85 on Monday after suffering from heart failure and dementia.
According to Christianity Today, among his final words in recent days was the phrase "Let's go." A Presbyterian pastor, Peterson wrote more than 30 books about Christian life.
"During the previous days, it was apparent that he was navigating the thin and sacred space between Earth and Heaven," Peterson's family said, according to Christianity Today. "We overheard him speaking to people we can only presume were welcoming him into paradise. There may have even been a time or two when he accessed his Pentecostal roots and spoke in tongues as well."
As reported by the Religion News Service, Peterson founded the Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Maryland in 1962. He served as that church's pastor for three decades before his retirement in 1991.
Peterson's family said there is meaning in the fact his death occurred on the first day of the week.
"It feels fitting that his death came on a Monday, the day of the week he always honored as a Sabbath during his years as a pastor," the family said. "After a lifetime of faithful service to the church — running the race with gusto — it is reassuring to know that Eugene has now entered into the fullness of the Kingdom of God and has been embraced by eternal Sabbath."
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.