Memorial Tribute for Brian James Bartsch

Introduction

Thank you for joining us as we celebrate the life of our oldest son, Brian. The Lord unexpectedly called him home via a suspected cardio pulmonary arrest on Saturday afternoon, May 3, 2025. It was a big shock to his wife, Christa, to his children and their spouses, and to us, his parents. We, his parents are giving you an insight into what God has done and is doing.

The Beginnings

Brian James Bartsch, 54, was born on April 27, 1971 at Baylor University Hospital in Dallas Texas. He weighed 8 pounds, 9 ounces at birth. He was the son of James T. and Esther L. Bartsch. I was from Kansas, and Esther was from Pennsylvania. We met at Grace College of the Bible in Omaha, Nebraska, and were married the day after she graduated.

After my senior year at Grace, we moved to Dallas, Texas. I began attending Dallas Theological Seminary in the fall semester of 1969. Since both Brian and I have been big Dallas Cowboys fans, I don't mind saying that the 69-70 season was the beginning of Roger Staubach's taking over of the quarterback position from Craig Morton.

Early Childhood

When Brian was a little fellow, and Esther was trying to potty-train him, we went for a brief vacation to Galveston, Texas, right on the Gulf of Mexico. Er, America. We were poor seminary students and could only afford a Class C Motel. The bathroom had no tub, and I held Brian in my arms and tried to give us both a shower. He was not impressed! For some reason, our time in Galveston was kind of gray, and the city, at least where we were situated, seemed gloomy, unkempt, and uninviting.

Our second son, David, was born on February 21, 1974, my last semester of Seminary. I graduated in May of 1974, and our family moved to Rexford, Kansas, where I began pastoring Rexford Community Church. Brian enjoyed playing “tackle” football with his dad out in the front yard. He was unafraid to venture into the church auditorium with an open casket prior to an upcoming funeral. I decided there was no point in shielding small children from death. As it turns out, ironically, he is the first one in our immediate family to experience death firsthand.

Spiritual Formation

When Brian was about four in Rexford, I read to him a Bible Story book for children. One story described the Twelve Disciples as Jesus’ friends. There were four questions at the end of each brief story. On this occasion, one of the questions was, "Did Brian want to become a friend of Jesus?" The answer was, “No.” Some months later, reading through the same story, the same question was asked again. This time, Brian said, “Yes.” So I took him upstairs to his bedroom and explained the need for him to trust in Jesus to gain forgiveness for the sins he had committed. Brian prayed a prayer expressing his trust in Jesus and asking Him to come into his life. I believe it was then that he was born again into the family of God (John 3:1-18). Esther and I believe that any positive step toward God and Jesus a small child can take is a good step. He would need more content to his faith and spiritual walk later, but he did decide to take that first step. We are grateful for God's working in his life and for his voluntary decision.

South Australia

In June of 1978, Esther and I, along with Brian and Dave, flew to Adelaide, the capital of the State of South Australia. The thirteen hour flight from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand, was brutal. But we survived. There in Adelaide, I was the youth pastor of Edwardstown Baptist Church for about four years. I also helped our pastor and another pastoral staff found Adelaide College of Ministries, a ministry-oriented Bible College.

Ever interested in sports, Brian played basketball outside in the rain and also learned to play cricket. For awhile he sported a black eye to prove it!

James Valley Christian School
Huron, South Dakota

Back in America, Dad began teaching Bible to Grades 7-12 at James Valley Christian School (JVCS) near Huron, South Dakota. Dad drove all four children, Brian, David, Jeffrey, and Erica to school every day. Brian went out for basketball, but was sometimes out-muscled by stronger and taller opponents. He did learn to play the trombone, and after a time, the family had a brass quintet. Dad and Brian played trombone while Dave played tuba, Jeff played French Horn, and Erica played trumpet.

The family attended Bethesda Church of Huron. The Pastor, Eldon Busenitz, had graduated from Berean Academy in Elbing, Kansas, a solid Christian school from which Dad had graduated back in 1965. Both Dad and Mom, along with Eldon and his wife Marlys, had graduated from Grace College of the Bible in Omaha after their high school years. Both the Busenitzes and the Bartsches have a Mennonite heritage. It should be no surprise that Esther Bartsch and Marlys Busenitz were second cousins!

It was at Bethesda Church that I, Dad began to speak to Brian about the importance of getting baptized (Matt. 28:18-20). Always possessed of an independent streak, Brian had finally pushed back against me and said, "I will get baptized when I am ready!" So Dad kept his mouth shut. I was a little disturbed when I heard that Pastor Busenitz was going to hold baptism classes, but Brian had said nothing about it. Almost on the eve of the baptism, I heard "through the grapevine" that Brian was going to be participating in the baptism. So, we watched our son getting baptized, almost oblivious that he had been a candidate for some time!

Grace College of the Bible

Marriage and Family

Employment

Interests

Spiritual Interests

A Sudden Conclusion

Where is Brian Now?