Jan Nagel is someone who loved Jesus. Correction: She’s someone who loves Jesus, even now. Jan radiated vitality on earth, and she’s more alive now than she’s ever been. That love for Christ was obvious in what she said and how she lived her life. It was obvious by just looking at her, that beautiful smile and that sparkle in her eyes, hearing her laugh, watching how she made everyone feel comfortable, like they were the most important person in the world to her in that moment.
Jan was my spiritual mother. She led me to faith in Christ when I was in MYF, back in 1971. Those were exciting days. Jan and David made a huge and permanent impact in my life, my brother’s life, and all the teenagers in our MYF group. She grounded us in the Word and the importance of believing God could do the impossible and that He loves us. She modeled joy and grace and freedom. She was always available to us teenagers, and we took advantage of that hospitality, dropping by all the time. I’ll never forget when David and Jan took us all to Dallas by bus for Explo ’72. That was one of many lifechanging experiences with them. Later, when I came on staff with Cru, Jan was one of my biggest prayer warriors all those years.
Jan has been a steady and significant influence in my life for most of my life. She taught me to not worry about the little things but to enjoy life. I remember once taking a walk with her, and we stopped to look at some flowers. She said if you can’t stop and smell the roses, you’re just too busy. When my parents moved away from Harmony and I was living overseas, I came back to Harmony for a visit, feeling untethered and not knowing where my home was anymore. Jan told me my home would always be in Harmony. She’s the one who made it home, for me and for countless others.
I am so grateful to the Lord that He brought Jan Nagel into my life. I so wish I could be there in person for her service, but I’m so thankful that my husband and I were able to see her in October. One last hug and “I love you” from Jan—until that glorious day we’re reunited in heaven.