Passing of Rev. Roy Olsen of Romania and Chesapeake, Va

We have been notified today of the recent passing of Rev. Roy Olsen of Romania and Chesapeake, Virginia. Below is an excerpt from the obituary shared by the family. Please keep the family in your prayers at this time.

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Celebrating the Life of Roy Emanuel Olsen

December 4, 1941 – August 11, 2022

Roy Emanuel Olsen, of Apa Vie, Pestere, Romania, and Chesapeake, Virginia, went to be with our Lord and Savior August 11, 2022.

Roy was born in New York City where he attended Hunter College of the City University of New York.  Although he earned a degree in Physics and Mathematics, upon graduation he felt the call of God to full time ministry.  He worked with the Norwegian Hospital and Prison Mission, served as a missionary to Tortola, BVI, and later as a pastor in New York City, and pastored in Pleasantville, New York for many years.  

After 30 years in pastoral ministry, Roy felt directed to minister in Romania as a Bishop with the Church of God.  There he labored for 20 years, building the Apa Vie Ministries Conference Center for teaching, training, and encouraging through conferences, special meetings, and youth and childrens’ camps.  Roy loved the Romanian people.   

He is predeceased by his parents Einar Olsen and Maria Lovisa Hansson Olsen. 

He is survived by his precious wife Melania, three children: Kristian Einar Olsen (Sarah), Jonathan Roy Olsen (Jessica), and Deborah Marie Olsen Di Carlo (Neil), 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his brother Peter Erling Olsen (Samantha) and his sister Carol Ann Olsen Gonyo (Allan), nieces and nephews, and many cousins in Norway and Sweden.

Bishop Roy’s vision for Apa Vie Ministries is that it will grow to have an even greater impact on evangelism and be an effective “launching pad” for preaching the Gospel - from Romania, to Europe, and to all the world.

Those of us left to cherish his memory will miss him greatly. It is now our task to take the torch and keep the light of Apa Vie Ministries burning brighter than ever.

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