Tributes are flowing as news of Nelson Mandela’s death makes its way around the world this morning. The civil rights leader, statesman, campaigner against poverty and advocate for children’s health and education died overnight in South Africa at the age of 94. South African President Jacob Zuma said, “Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father. Although we knew this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss. His tireless struggle for freedom earned him the respect of the world.”

World Vision’s Tim Costello said Mandela was one of the few people whose commitment to justice reverberated the world over, and who proved great change can be achieved through the dedication and grace of a single person.

“Nelson Mandela showed us that the extraordinary can happen,” Mr Costello said. “Everyone believed it impossible for South Africa to break from apartheid without bloodshed–a huge amount of bloodshed–yet after years of struggle Mandela led his people from oppression to equality, and his nation from shame to dignity.”

Mr Costello said Mandela’s life and influence spoke to both the strength of his character, and his dedication to humanity, compassion and love.

“This man’s ability to forgive, and to reach out to whites after decades of black oppression was a miracle in our lifetime,” Mr Costello said. “Nelson Mandela is one of the twentieth century’s great symbols of hope.”

Wesley Mission’s Dr Keith Garner has also paid tribute to the South African leader. The passing of Mr Mandela has significant meaning for Dr Garner. In 1990 he was invited by the Methodist Church of Southern Africa to minister and preach in South Africa. On Friday, 2 February, 1990 the then South African President F.W de Klerk announced a raft of reforms including the un-banning of the African National Congress, the lifting of media restrictions and the unconditional release of Nelson Mandela from Robben Island prison, Cape Town.

Dr Garner was at the Central Methodist Mission in Johannesburg when the announcements were made. “It was lunchtime and we crowded around a radio listening to President de Klerk’s ground breaking speech,” he said.

“The most significant piece of news, as far as the rest of the world was concerned, was the movement towards a fairer South Africa and the unconditional release of Nelson Mandela as soon as the administrative and security arrangements could be finalised.”

On the Sunday that followed, 4 February, Dr Garner was the guest preacher at Orlando West Methodist Church, Soweto, where some of the Mandela family worshipped. The church was located a short distance from Mandela’s home.

“The worship in that service was profound,” Dr Garner said. “It became more passionate and joyous as it became clear that Nelson Mandela’s release from prison was imminent.”

Dr Garner said Mr Mandela’s greatest influence and contribution to history was his leadership of the new nation of South Africa and his role as a peacemaker in the world.

“Through the choice of non-violence, he helped people to see that it is possible to change the world in ways of peace and integrity,” Dr Garner said. “Like many others, I have stood in the small room on Robben Island which for many years was his cell and wondered how someone could live in such a place. It was remarkable that he was imprisoned for 27 years and then became a world leader.”

Michael Cassidy, founder of African Enterprise, an evangelism and church partnership organisation, has reflected on the role of the church in helping Nelson Mandela bring about “South Africa’s miracle” of dismantling apartheid on Christianity Today.

Cassidy, born in South Africa, expressed a need for the work of Mandela to continue, and pointed to the church as a beacon in South Africa for this mission: “The Christian church as a whole has long been an integral part of the process leading to our new day of democracy for all races. But since 1991, Christians have been particularly involved in labouring for peace and reconciliation, in monitoring and reporting violence, in tending to the injuries of those who were wounded, and in seeking to bring about an atmosphere in which the politicians could seek to negotiate a solution and move on to the elections…”

“Beyond that, the church must exercise its ministry of reconciliation, not only to find God in Christ through evangelism, but to find each other. By the Calvary way, understanding and reconciliation can be discovered. The spirit of seeking first the kingdom of God, which is the kingdom of right relationships, is paramount in all of this.”

Challenges to the Christian community to learn from Mandela’s example of forgiveness and love are overflowing. Centre For Public Christanity’s John Dickson said on Facebook that “Nelson Mandela was a kind of ‘Christ figure”, who overcame powerful evil with suffering and love…”

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby has also released a statement: “The death of President Nelson Mandela was announced in memorable words by president Zuma. South Africa has lost its greatest citizen and its father. Nelson Mandela, fighting to the end, is freed to be with his God in joy and reward for his great service and sacrifice. We pray for his family, for his friends and for his country. We are challenged to show the same degree of humanity, of courage and of generosity.”

President Zuma said Mandela would be awarded a state funeral, with all flags at half-mast from today until after the funeral. “As we gather, wherever we are in the country and wherever we are in the world, let us recall the values for which Madiba fought. Let us reaffirm his vision of a society in which none is exploited, oppressed or dispossessed by another.”