I will never forget hearing Sy on the Sunday after 9/11. His insightful, truthful words brought such comfort that day. But my best memory of Sy is the way that he attended our little, local church on the weekends he was home. You would have never known that he was a world-renowned speaker and influencer. No, he was just a regular member who worshipped along with the rest of us, never demanding the spotlight or promoting himself. That level of humility was so striking and inspiring.

Karen and Grace, our hearts and prayers are with you. - - Rick and Carrie Schuessler

Sy Rogers was the first person I ever heard speak on the topic of homosexuality. It was 1997, and I had just learned of my loved one's involvement in homosexuality. Sy's talk was incredible!! He spoke of things no one else was speaking about in the pulpit. He was biblically accurate, incredibly articulate, extremely funny, and right on point!!! It was just what we needed to hear! A few years later, he was in town again, and my friend, Christine Sneeringer invited me to hang out with some friends and Sy. We stayed up all night watching the Matrix. Sy broke down the movie, describing all the redemptive themes in the Matrix. I know I am not alone is saying Sy was brilliant - and not just because he found redemptive themes in movies, but because He was a truly gifted thinker and speaker! God powerfully anointed Him to do His work, and Sy carried out that work so courageously and faithfully!!!
Some time after the Matrix event, I was privileged to meet Karen, who is equally insightful, having walked with God for many decades. Over the past 20 years, I have been blessed by the friendship of Sy and Karen. When I started dating and eventually married, Tyler, my husband, Sy coined the term "The Tyler Protocol" as the standard that my single friends should use as their dating standard. Sy was always so complimentary and encouraging!
The most striking quality about Sy (and also Karen) is that he knew God intimately. He had the type of relationship with God that God desires all of us to have with Him. Sy needed God desperately and found God to be the one who could meet all of his needs. His closeness with the Lord was the key to all that he did. All credit goes to God for the incredible work He did in Sy's life and the incredible blessing Sy was to all of us. The world is a better place because Sy was in it. Although he is no longer with us, his impact and legacy will continue. I pray Christians around the world will carry out the message of redemption that Sy so beautifully preached. It's hard to even believe that Sy is actually gone, and as the painful reality sinks in, we will need God's comfort. But we rejoice for Sy that he is in the presence of God.

My husband and I attended many of Sy's talks but on one particular Sunday evening we attended Capital Christian Center. We were both sitting in the last row in the back and in the midst of getting a divorce. I was planning my escape and move out date. It is one time in my life that I heard an audible voice from the LORD telling me...don't you dare! I responded with "I didn't ask you" and I heard again...don't you dare. My husband was hearing from the LORD too!! As we were walking back to our car, silent and me angry .... my husband announced that he gave his life to the LORD.  I remember yelling in parking lot...NOW LORD!!!! Two days later we both asked for forgiveness from each other and we have not turned back!!! We have an amazing marriage full of love and JESUS. Thank you Sy for loving GOD so much that it spilled over to us. We are forever thankful !!! Can't wait to see you in Heaven.