In lieu of flowers in honor of Dennis and Jessie Sullivan, donations can be made to the Kosky African Mission … one of the many missions they supported for a lifetime.
Tax deductible donations may be mailed to: World Outreach Ministries, PO Box B, Marietta, GA 30061. Designate for the Koskys Mission Fund code #48. Or, to donate on-line go to www.WorldOutReach.org. Click “Donate Now” and then follow the directions leading you to eventually select from the list of missionaries our name “Kosky, Kelly & Kathy, South Africa.”
Here is an email which Kelly Kosky sent when he heard of Dennis Sullivan’s death. It illustrates the support Dennis gave to and the impact he had on his many friends.
Prior to the time my wife and six kids moved to a remote region of Africa, I met Dennis while preaching in Kansas City. I was attracted to him based on the Holy Spirit and his wisdom. As I was sharing with him the calling to commit my life and family to reaching the unreached, and my reluctance to obey the Lord. Dennis encouraged me not to waste my life chasing the American dream, but rather have a life with an eternal purpose. I had many excuses, but Dennis said “don’t let your education or vocation ruin the second half of your life”, then he added that “the second half goes by faster than the first half”. As a result of his challenging but encouraging words my family and I abandoned the comforts and security of our lifestyles in America and moved to Africa to commit ourselves to reaching the hidden half of this world.
There were times when I was burned out and just wanted to talk with someone in English. I knew I could always call Dennis for counsel and encouragement. At times I felt like quitting and returning back to America, but Dennis would encourage me not to abandon the call to reach one more village.
In addition to Dennis being faithful to tithing his local church, he would send support to missions as the Lord would lead him. He wasn’t a pledged supporter but rather sent a donation when the Lord would lead him. He was a man who was truly led by the Holy Spirit. And on the occasions when we would receive a donation from Dennis, it was always at a time of great need.
I remember once when I was tired and discouraged from burying so many African as a result of AIDS. I asked Dennis ‘when are the countries of this world going to actually do something to stop this pandemic?’. He told me not to wait for others to do what the Lord was calling me to do. The Lord used Dennis to challenge us to build an HIV/AIDS hospital in the middle of the largest black (Xhosa) township in South Africa. We were very reluctant to obey the Lord. But I remember Dennis telling me that “when your vision is so big it scares you, then it must be the Lord”. As a result of Dennis’s admonition, the Lord allowed us to build the largest HIV/AIDS facility in
the region, which serves over 78,000 people a year. I doubt that I would have proceeded if it weren’t for Dennis’s encouragement.
After years of planting hundreds of churches among the Xhosa tribe, I was once again discouraged that thousands were getting saved, but after conversion they were not growing in their Christian life, due to lack of teachers and bibles. Dennis admonished me that the scriptures don’t say to “go into all the world making ‘converts’ of all nations”, but rather “disciples”. As a result of Dennis’s encouragement and counsel, we built a Bible College among the Xhosa, that has never charged anyone to received and learn God’s word.
As a result of Jessie and Dennis’s concern for the tens of thousands of orphans that have been left without parents as a result of the AIDS pandemic, we built children’s shelters in the Transkei. This was a vision of Jessie and Dennis. As a result of their vision and encouragement the children’s shelters are still operating today. A couple of days after Dennis’s homecoming, I shared with my African leaders that my mentor had died. They have now decided to name the children’s shelter the “Sullivan Children’s Shelter” in memory of Dennis and Jessie.
Nobody will ever fully know what a huge impact Dennis has had in my/our lives and the native people of the Transkei. I am grateful for the influence Dennis has had on my life. Dennis will sincerely be missed, but his legacy lives on.
Respectfully in Christ,
Kelly Kosky
KELLY KOSKY USA address
152 South Corona Street
Denver, CO, 80209
720-938 2239 (cell)
303-715 0077 (office)
kosky@compuserve.com
KELLY KOSKY African address
PO Box 111
Simonstad. 7995
SOUTH AFRICA
27-82-5585916
27-21-7863943
kosky@compuserve.com
