Sydney's Anglican community is paying tribute to the work and witness of a dedicated Christian servant as authorities confirm the tragic death of mission worker and youth leader James Coulter.

The 26 year old man was assisting orphans near the Ugandan city of Jinja as part of a short-term mission organised by African Enterprise.

He slipped and fell into nearby Griffin Falls early last week while apparently attempting to take a photograph.

Hopes that his extensive outdoors experience might have preserved him were dashed late Thursday when search parties recovered his body.

However Sydney-based friends and family wish James to be remembered for his many acts of service rather than the nature of his death.

Mr Coulter's parent's rector, Canon James McPherson, says the family are experiencing an enormous sense of loss but believe the value of his work will live on.

"Margaret and Tony were very proud of him doing the things he was doing with African Enterprise and the various other aid and development and short term missionary work he was doing from time to time," Mr McPherson says.

"That's all come to an abrupt halt. I believe he was due to comeback next week, because the project he was on was completed successfully."

At Mr Coulter's home church in Wahroonga, friends are processing similar feelings of loss and pride.

"His Christianity seemed to shine through everything he did," says Pete McKenzie, who attended a bible study with Mr Coulter.

"I remember when he first talked about going over to Africa for a short term mission back in January this year. I thought "What a brave person, willing to take this step in faith.' He was definitely a doer not just a sayer."

"We’re talking about a young man who was dedicated to serving the Lord," says Mr Coulter's pastor, the Rev David Reay.

"He was one of our youth leaders and evening service leaders " an integral part of our church life. He was a very easy going, likeable fellow who enjoyed good relationships with people across the board."

A remembrance service for James Coulter is being planned for St Pauls, Wahroonga, some time in the next fortnight. Sydneyanglicans.net will post details when they become available.

Friends and supporters are invited to add their personal tributes and messages of support to the collection below by sending them to newsroom@sydneyanglicans.net .

Sydneyanglicans.net will forward these messages to Mr Coulter's family at an appropriate time.

James Coulter 1979 " 2005
James was a fine Australian man and he made deep friendships with a number of people on the trip. He was just as obviously a fine young Christian. Fairly quiet, but with a great faith and a sense of commitment.
" Mike Woodall, Executive Director, African Enterprise

I’ve been attending St Paul's since March 2004. Since this time I was fortunate enough to be in the same Bible study group as James. During the time I knew him I always found him to be a really positive outgoing guy. He lead the evening services regularly, I remember at the end of a service (that he was leading) he would often give a word of encouragement or some thoughtful Insight that set our minds thinking. I was looking forward to finding out about his trip, to see if it was something I might consider. Finally when I took up the guitar this year, occasionally I would bring it to Bible Study. Jamie (who was also a great guitar player) was helpful in his guitar tips. In particular he helped me perfect the strumming of the “A Chord”! In my mind it would be more comforting to think that you were just away and would eventually come back. However I know mate, you are in a much better place with our Lord in Heaven. Words can not express how much St Paul's, our Bible Study and myself will miss you. You were certainly a blessing to all of us.
" Pete McKenzie, St Paul’s, Wahroonga

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you:
I appointed you a prophet to the nations”.
Jeremiah 1:5

Jamie often led the evening youth service at St Paul’s. His face radiated God’s presence and his worship took us into God’s throne room. He was an encouragement to all who knew him. Farewell.
- Diana Marshall, St Paul’s, Wahroonga

At such times its hard to know where to start or what to say, so I hope this is just a glimpse into the man of God, Jamie. For one thing Jamie was passionate about everything he was involved in whether it be church, youth, worship leading, music, singing, soccer, bike riding, and the state emergency service just to name a few off the top of my head. He would put everything into whatever he was doing and do it with flair, always finding an exception to every rule in any game, and because of this he had so many great stories of the adventures he got himself into. But what I remember most right now is Jamie as a good friend who was always concerned for others, and would think outside the box but at the same time be so perceptive of what other people were thinking and feeling, this rare gift also made him a great church leader as he went where he felt the spirit leading him and worship times were such a blessing with him. He wasn’t afraid to step outside his comfort zone, but rather thrived on it. Jamie was indeed a character with so much life in him that our lives will never be the same without him, and as we all grieve for ourselves right now with such an ache, Jamie is another reason why I look forward to heaven. I’m thankful to God for giving us Jamie even if for only short season, his attitude to life is a good example for us to follow in. I miss him always.
- Natasha Andrew

I would like to tell you about my memories of Jamie Coulter. I am relative newcomer to St. Paul’s, attending the church at the morning service with my young family. Like many in the morning congregations, I first met Jamie only a few months ago. He came to the morning congregation dressed in a suit that would have been the height of fashion in the 60’s. Yet he revealed something that day that was far deeper - himself. He shared with the church his passion for this short term mission trip with African Enterprise. Following the service I sought him out and spent 20 minutes chatting to him about his goals and objectives. Among other things was his Bible. He wanted to colour in the favourite verses from those in the congregation as he planned on leaving his Bible in Africa. A week later he was gone - joining a team of 300 people on this short term mission. Jamie kept in regular contact with the Church - sending emails every couple of days. The emails revealed much of this young man. They told not only of the incredible wonders of his time on the field but of a human frailty as he shared both the highs and the lows - the miracles and his concerns. As the emails came in I warmed increasingly to his project - he rekindled in me a love for mission work that I have not had for a decade. As August rolled on I began looking forward to his return, so I could learn more of his experiences. This mood of exhilaration was shattered over the last week as first news of his disappearance then tragic death was reported. Reading over his emails again it still seems unbelievable that he has gone. There remains the underlying message of his emails - the exhilaration and positive outcomes that came from answering the call. This positive message remains with me. I, for one, will continue to pray for our missionaries. I will also devote a little more time to the nurturing of our youth as the loss of a man of Jamie’s calibre will be a hard one to carry for the young adults in our church. What verse did I give Jamie for his Bible? John 3:16.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

By way of a postscript, the services today at St. Paul’s were overshadowed with personal grief. The songs were not sung with their normal gusto but with an accompaniment of tears. During the day a montage of photos appeared. Photos of Jamie in his element - working with those in the church. His photo remains prominently on the mission board - “Jamie Coulter - short term mission with African Enterprise”. For now, the young adults in our church are our most precious commodity. They remain in our prayers.
- Michael Tapner, St Paul’s, Wahroonga

I was privileged to serve with James in Nairobi. He was a wonderful example of a young man living with purpose in his life. At one Girls High School James led the service and you could tangibly sense his desire to see these girls know our Lord Jesus Christ. 13 girls gave their lives to Jesus that morning which will be a lasting testament to his service and heart for ministry. All of the internationals who served with James in Nairobi are deeply saddened by his passing and our prayers are with his family and friends. His passion for life and for the gospel will stay with me.
- Tim Giovanelli, London

In the ten or so years that I have known Jamie I witnessed him grow as a christian, encouraging us to seek closeness to Jesus. He too struggled for that closeness but he knew the truth of what he believed. Jamie lived a remarkable life, not for the good within him or the good things he did but because he surrendered his life to Jesus. He wanted us to do the same. I never knew Jamie to ever be critical of anyone or anything. He seemed to be able take things as they came. A spontaneity about him kept you on edge. He never seemed to have a resentful heart. Jamie was just one of us, imperfect, in many ways an ordinary guy but as you got to know him you realized how special and extraordinary he was. Jamie wasn’t the sort of person to seek attention for himself. He wouldn’t wear the finest clothing. He wasn’t a loud mouth. He had a quiet spirit and a gentle heart. When he spoke, his words were not always many but were always worth a listen. I loved his simple insights and perceptions of life. Although we are at a loss because he is not with us anymore, we are at a far greater gain for having had the opportunity to share in his life. Thanks Jamie for your friendship, you are missed greatly…   
Peter Weir, St Paul’s, Wahroonga

The last time I saw James, he turned around and looked at me with a gentle smile of excitement and joy when he walked out of the office. I approved his exta leave and sent him a leave approval reply with the words “for the kingdom”. His greatest character trait that was evident to me was his ‘obedience’ - something that comes in part from the obedience of his parents. God has blessed them with the reward of a servant to Jesus and the extra gift of the knowledge and comfort of knowing that he is now with Him. The shone through the life of one of His servants most clearly. I was priveleged to see Jesus in this way (as I’m sure there are many others like James) “...Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it…”
David Powell, Freight Clearance Section, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service

I live in Johannesburg , South Africa. I am sadened to hear the news about the death of my dear brother, James Coulter. While in Kenya, I shared a room with James for three weeks, together with Nic Brown ( an australian brother). I got to know James very well. We developed a friendship that is everlasting. He was a warm, loving and caring person. He also had a great sense of humour. I still rember somw of the jokes he shared with me every night while we
catched up and shared testimonies for the day. He was a man with a deep sense of awe for God. He feared God and seeked to do His Will at all times. I remember when he had to preach at a place, he would sit on his bed, read through his bible and pray. He would always consult other including myself on whether his sermons were relevant for the African context or not. I remember the time that I spent with James, we developed a friendship that I will surely miss. When I left Nairobi- my flight was due to leave for SA at 6am- James woke up especially to see me off that day. I still clearly remember the brotherly hug that he gave me. The last words he said to me were; ” I will surely see you in South Africa next year for the Soweto Youth Mission”. I was looking foward to see him in 2006 in Soweto, since I am serving as the mission chairperson for the Soweto youth mission 2006. To the coulter Family: You raised a soldier who was faithful in the Army of the Lord until the end. Treasure his memory at all times and know
that one you shall surely meet him in the Father’s House. To his friends and all the NYM International Team: Let us all thank the Lord for the wonderful opportunity of serving in Nairobi with James. He was a Man of God. Keep up the spirit and continue to preach the word .... Hope to see you in Soweto next year… May his soul rest in peace….
Pastor Bongani Dlomo, Johannesburg, South Africa  

To James’ mother,
My daughter Katie Selby was on the Mission with James and he kindly drove her to meetings a number of times as we live in South Australia and she stayed with her grandparents in Wahroonga. I wanted to let you know that I pray for you very often, that somehow in this terrible loss you will be comforted by Jesus himself and eventually find meaning as you continue the journey. May the Lord’s everlasting arms be beneath you constantly,
Susan Selby

Our Daily Bread

So I walked into the desert,
And what could I see.
A land of death and misery,
came creeping over me.
So I cried out to the heavens,
Have mercy, whu must this be?
And the sky poured forth the answer,
That set the desert free.
An open hand, and empty heart,
A path without direction.
A pointless faith, a hopeless faith.
A fuse without connection.
The hope that fills the misery,
The life that gives direction,
Came from the one, the only way,
The hand that removes rejection.

- James Coulter, 2001