06/03/2026
With sorrow at her passing and joy in the promise of eternity, we share that our beloved Pastor Joan Lubbe entered into the presence of Jesus on June 3, 2026. While we will deeply miss her, we rejoice in the assurance that we will see her again.
Pastor Joan was a strong and vivacious woman of God who, from a very young age, built her life on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ. To know her was to know her radiant passion for God, her enthusiasm for life, and her unwavering faith. Her spirit was contagious, and anyone who spent time around her was inevitably touched by it.
Pastor Joan was a pillar of strength at the heart of Living Faith. In 1987, she and Pastor Barry left South Africa and planted their lives in Northern Virginia to establish Living Faith. Over the years, she walked many people through seasons of hardship into victory and poured wisdom and truth into countless lives through the Ministry Training Center and from the Sunday platform. Yet one of the deepest expressions of her ministry was to women, as she faithfully led Women’s Life alongside Pastor Sally for more than thirty years.
Through every season and transition, Pastor Joan remained steadfast in her pursuit of God. Her ministry consistently flowed from a deep personal faith, unwavering trust in God’s Word, and a heartfelt desire to see people firmly rooted and grounded in Him. Many of us will always remember the emphatic foot kicks that accompanied her preaching whenever her passion got the better of her.
Through every evolution of Living Faith, Pastor Joan helped carry the heart and energy of the house; she was one of its greatest encouragers and champions of all that God was doing. In staff meetings, prayer meetings, services, and everyday moments of ministry, she was there - observing, participating, encouraging, and wholeheartedly “amen-ing” the move of God. Even near the end of her life, she continued cheering us on, urging us to keep going and reminding us that it has always been, and will always be, all about Jesus.
One of Pastor Joan’s greatest joys was seeing the posterity of Living Faith flourish as the next generation of pastors and leaders stepped into their calling. It brought her great joy to witness the passion, resilience, and faith that had marked her own life continue in those who would carry Living Faith into the future.
Pastor Joan leaves behind a legacy that lives on in our church family and in every life she touched. Though we grieve her absence, we are so grateful for the gift of her life, her faith, her love, and all that she imparted into us. We rejoice that we will see her again in eternity.
Please keep the Lubbe family uplifted in prayer during this time. Once memorial plans are solidified, we will announce details.