Reactions to the death of Grammy-nominated gospel and opera singer Jubilant Sykes continue to emerge following the fatal stabbing at his home in California and the arrest of one of his sons, Micah Sykes.

Here are five Christians’ reactions to the untimely death of the beloved 71-year-old singer.

1. Keith and Kristyn Getty, Hymn Writers

Preeminent modern hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty said they were brokenhearted by the news of Sykes’ passing and remembered him as a “brilliant and beautiful human being.”

“Jubilant was just a brilliant and beautiful human being. A man who made extraordinary moments out of the ordinary. Award-winning bass in Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Mass,’ and a featured soloist everywhere from the Metropolitan Opera to the Boston Pops, he had an incredible career and a unique Christian voice,” they wrote in a statement shared on social media.

“We had the joy of collaborating with him on several occasions; first, when he and Christopher Parkening joined the band for our Kennedy Center Christmas Show in 2019, where Vice President Pence honored Joni Tada with the Sing! Lifetime Achievement Award. In the years to follow, he created many unique memories for us at both an artistic and personal level,” the couple recalled.

The Gettys remembered Sykes for his ability to find “wonder and extraordinary in the ordinary” and navigating sensitive issues such as race, politics and theology.

“The gift of being such a singular voice rarely comes with the disposition of being genuinely thrilled for others and their success, but he always was,” they said.

Shortly after reuniting with the couple at the late Pastor John MacArthur’s memorial service in August, the Gettys said Sykes joined them for the launch of “The Sing! Hymnal” at The Grand Ole Opry House.

They shared his performance of a combination of the spiritual hymns “Give me Jesus” and “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,” which has been reported to be his last public performance.

“His final creative chapter was lending his voice to a new Scripture-and-orchestra project for Crossway, a work meant to help a new generation hear God’s Word beautifully. We had dreams of performing it together over the next few years, which will not happen, but by the grace of God, most of it is recorded, and his passionate, luminous readings will carry his legacy forward,” they said. “Our prayer is that many will see, and fear, and put their trust in God as a result. And for Jubilant, it’s hard to imagine a more extraordinary Nunc Dimittis.”

2. Joni Eareckson Tada, Christian Author and Speaker

Prominent Christian author and speaker Joni Eareckson Tada said Sykes has been a “treasured friend” to her and her husband since he sang at their wedding more than 40 years ago.

“Today our hearts are heavy as we learned of the tragic passing of the one-and-only Jubilant Sykes. He sang at our wedding all those years ago, and for more than four decades, he has been a treasured friend to Ken and me,” she wrote in a statement on Facebook.

“We will miss his joy, his generous heart, and that unmistakable voice that always seemed to lift our eyes to heaven. Yet even through the sorrow, we rest in the hope that he is now rejoicing in the presence of the Savior he loved so deeply,” she added. “What a comfort to know that ‘to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord,’ and that one day, we will join him in that everlasting chorus of praise!”

3. Mike Riccardi, Pastor of Local Outreach Ministries at Grace Community Church

Mike Riccardi, pastor of local outreach ministries at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, where Sykes ministered and worshiped before his untimely passing on Monday, said he was blessed by the singer’s gifts.

“While I didn’t have the privilege of knowing Jubilant well, I was blessed to be able several times to shake his hand and thank him sincerely for serving us so well at Grace Church. It is truly a lovely thing to see someone, whom the Lord has gifted so abundantly, use their gifts for their proper end: to honor and glorify Him,” he wrote on Facebook. “Jubilant’s remarkable, unique gift of a voice — along with a heart to match — was a genuine blessing from heaven, straight from the Lord to our congregation and beyond. He was a visible and audible display of how full of goodness God is to be able to bestow such immense talents upon sinful creatures.”

4. Matthew Johnston, Pastor of Riverbend Bible Church, and Vice Principal of Trinity Theological Institute

Matthew Johnston, pastor of Riverbend Bible Church, and vice-principal of Trinity Theological Institute in New Zealand, used Sykes’ passing to make a public altar call.

“The most incredible and memorable voice I had ever heard,” he wrote in a post on X. “I never met Jubilant Sykes in person, but look forward to seeing him in heaven one day. Pray for his family at this time. Such a tragic way to go. He would want to tell you to come to Jesus today!”

5. Bobby Blakey, Professor of Practical Christian Ministry

Bobby Blakey, professor of practical Christian ministry at Compass Bible Institute in California, remembered Sykes by sharing his experience of his singing prowess while he was a college student.

“When Jubilant would start to sing his voice was so soft, like a whisper. You leaned forward. Was his mic working? At any moment in the song it seemed he could go so low or so high. I had never heard anyone sing with such range before. It seemed effortless,” Blakey wrote in a statement on X.

This article was written by Leonardo Blair and originally appeared on The Christian Post.