It’s with very heavy hearts that World Renew shares the news that our dear friend, teammate, and coworker for justice, Iona Stewart-Buisman, died on January 2, 2024. Iona faithfully and fervently served with World Renew Canada for 18 years, most recently as Director of Church and Community Engagement. She had been in the hospital for several months, and her family was able to be close to her during her final days.
Our grief at having to say goodbye to our sister in Christ is immeasurable, as Iona walked humbly alongside us in so many of our journeys. Iona’s joy for the Lord, passion for the mission, and compassion for all bubbled from deep within. Her time spent leading volunteers was a particular delight for her as she saw the Spirit transform hearts and minds. Her vision for deepening engagement between the church in North America and the body of Christ in the Global South was inspirational — and it shines on in the people she led, uplifted, and with whom she so brightly served.
We praise God for the magnificent testimony of Iona’s life: for the passionate way she desired everyone to have a greater sense of their place in God’s great story, for her determination in pursuing justice and equity for the most vulnerable of God’s people, and for her genuine eagerness to see God’s image reflected in every person she met. Iona was persistent and patient in her mission of loving deeply and generously, and her influence will impact the entire World Renew community, in Canada and around the world she loved so much, for years to come.
