In Russia, Euro-Asia Media Ministry Director Dies From COVID-19 at 67

Daniel Daniilovich Reband, director of the Media Ministry Department of the Euro-Asia Division (ESD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, passed to his rest on October 5, 2020. According to some reports, he died from complications due to having been infected with COVID-19. He was 67.

On behalf of the Executive Committee of the ESD, its president Mikhail F. Kaminskiy shared the news on the official news page of the ESD church region, from its headquarters in Moscow, Russian Federation.

In his October 5 communication, Kaminskiy described the late Reband as “a tireless worker in God’s field, a respected and caring pastor, a sensitive mentor, a talented and skillful organizer,” and “a loving husband, father, and grandfather who was completely devoted to the Lord.” “[Reband’s] ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church will forever leave its indelible mark on the hearts of many people, thanks to his selfless service in God’s field in various areas of ministry,” Kaminskiy wrote.

In a communication to colleagues and friends, former Hope Channel vice president Kandus Thorp said she was very saddened to learn of the passing of Reband, whom she called “a media pioneer and dear friend in ministry.” She added, “[We are] very sorry for his lovely wife, … and their family. We last saw him in his apartment in Moscow for a wonderful meal together a couple of years ago. [This is] so tragic.”

Kaminskiy and other church leaders agreed, saying that they are having a hard time coming to terms with this sad reality.

“The words of comfort that any of us may speak cannot cover the depths of the grief his loss has caused,” Kaminskiy wrote. He added that as he sees it, the only thing left is for everyone to take comfort in the Lord’s promise found in Revelation 14:13, where it is written, “‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them’” (NKJV).

And he added, “Together with [Reband’s] family and friends, we express our shared hope grounded on Christ’s promise” in John 5:25, 29, where the apostle recorded Jesus’ words: “The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live … and come forth — those who have done good, to the resurrection of life” (NKJV).

“The shining and kind memory of [Pastor Daniel] will forever remain in our hearts,” Kaminskiy wrote. “May the Lord Himself grant His consolation and keep the strength of our spirits in this time of sorrow and loss.”

Reband is survived by his wife, Lyudmila Nikolaevna, and their adult children and grandchildren.