Pastor Paul Wagner, founder of the Believers Chapel and Christian School in Cicero, passed away Dec. 27. He was 74.
Wagner was a North Syracuse native who spent his final years with his wife in The Villages, Florida. A 1951 graduate of North Syracuse High School, he was named to the district’s Wall of Distinction in 1997.
Wagner founded the Cicero church in 1982. Three other ministries, Believers Chapel of Mexico, Believers Chapel of Fulton and Believers Chapel of Canastota followed.
Wagner was admitted to a Florida hospital in October with side pain. Doctors determined he had cancer.
“Paul always wanted to honor the Lord in all he did,” his wife, Paulie, wrote in an online journal. “Toward the end of Christmas morning he was overheard by his nurse, when he prayed , ‘Oh God, be glorified in my life and in my death.’ I believe God has begun to answer that prayer and will continue to as you and I follow our commitment to Christ, our Lord and Savior. The ripple affects of your testimonies are reaching many people who need to know our Savior in a personal way.”
Believers Chapel will hold a ceremony to remember Wagner on May 16, 2009.
For more information, see the Jan. 14 edition of the Star-News.
