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Church Remembers 'Part Of Our Family' At Service

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By NEIL JOHNSON

njohnson@tampatrib.com

Published: February 16, 2009

LUTZ - Congregation members offered their hugs and prayers Sunday to the family of pilot Marvin Renslow, as his widow, son and daughter sat in the front pew.

The service at First Baptist Church of Lutz focused on the loss of Renslow, who had been a member of the church since 1997. Renslow died Thursday night piloting a commuter plane that went down near Buffalo, N.Y.

"His family was part of our family," said the Rev. Alan Burner, associate pastor, adding that the congregation's sympathy extended to the families of all 49 killed aboard the aircraft and one person on the ground.

A large screen behind the choir scrolled through the names of all the victims identified so far, ending with Renslow as a piano played a slow, somber rendition of "Amazing Grace" and family members were ushered into the intimate church.

A memorial service for Renslow will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at the church, 18116 U.S. 41 N. A fund for the family has been established at Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union under the name Renslow family.

During his sermon, Burner said people had the choice to follow Satan or Jesus, and Renslow chose Jesus.

"He heard Jesus call his name, and he followed to abundant and eternal life," Burner said. "We know Marvin Renslow is not with us. He is with the Lord."

Before the service, Tom Hebert, a deacon at the church, said Sunday school classes switched from the normal lessons to prayers for the crash victims.

"We're mournful, not just for Marvin; it's for all who were lost," Hebert said.

Renslow was flying Continental Connection Flight 3407 from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and was close to landing at Buffalo Niagara International Airport when the aircraft crashed into a house about six miles from the airport.

The 74-seat Q400 Bombardier aircraft was operated by Colgan Air. Renslow joined Colgan Air on Sept. 9, 2005, and had logged more than 3,000 hours flying while with the company.

Reporter Neil Johnson can be reached at (813) 259-7731.

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