COLUMBUS, Ohio - People across Ohio and around the world are mourning the loss of a beloved pastor.
Rev. Jim Palmer, 64, died Saturday after a three-car crash. The news of his death spread quickly in the faith community.
Palmer served as assistant superintendent and missions director for the Ohio Ministry Network. He reached not only hundreds of churches across the state but missionaries around the world.
"It almost seems super-human that one person could have impacted that many lives," said Rev. John Wootton, superintendent of the Ohio Ministry Network. "For him, that was the essence of serving his Savior Jesus Christ because he knew what Jesus did for him. He wanted to spread that love and compassion as far and as wide as he possibly could."
Palmer is described as someone whose compassion allowed him to form deep connections with friends, family, colleagues, and strangers.
"He was one of a kind," Wootton said. "Everybody has a story to tell about Jim taking a personal interest in them and convincing them that he really did care - it's because he did."
Palmer leaves behind his wife, Renee, and three children.
Visitation will continue Wednesday, Feb. 5 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Radiant Life Church, 7100 Post Rd, Dublin, OH 43016. A celebration of life service will follow and will be live-streamed via a link on the Ohio Ministry Network Facebook page.
To honor Rev. Palmer's legacy of passion for missions, the family is requesting in lieu of flowers that churches and individuals begin new monthly support for an AG World or U.S. Missionary from Ohio. To donate, click here. A legacy fund has also been set up in Rev. Palmer's honor. To learn more, click here.