Eldon E. Fry

In Loving Memory of Pastor Eldon Fry, D. Min. Eldon Fry went home to be with God in the quiet hours of the morning of Sunday, January 4, 2025 - completing a life marked by faithfulness, attentiveness, and love.

He died as he lived—held in Scripture, surrounded by loved ones, and anchored in hope in Jesus. For more than five decades, Eldon lived a life of ordained ministry shaped by presence. He was a pastor, spiritual director, mentor, teacher, and gentle guide. He believed that formation happens slowly, that God is found through attention, and that the deepest work of the Spirit often unfolds in quiet fidelity rather than loud certainty.

Eldon served churches, campuses, and leaders across traditions. A graduate of Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Kansas State University, and Graduate Theological Foundation, as well as courses taken through Penn State University and training in spiritual formation and spiritual direction from Kairos Center for Spiritual Formation and Shalem, Eldon spent most of his ministry in college and church contexts. He was ordained in The Wesleyan Church and served in interdenominational contexts, including Manager of Pastoral Care at Focus on the Family, pastor of three congregations, College Chaplain at Messiah College, College Pastor and Dean of Chapel at Bethel University, before returning to Messiah College as College Pastor, where he retired and founded Open Hands Ministries. He taught, published three books (Growing Up Idaho, Spiritual Formation, and Sacred Pathway), listened, and walked with countless pastors and mentees who needed a steady companion more than a set of answers. Through Open Hands Ministries, and through decades of personal mentoring, he helped others learn how to notice God, care for their souls, and remain faithful over the long arc of a life.

Eldon leaves behind a living legacy: lives shaped by prayer, pastors sustained to serve people, marriages steadied by grace, a quiet confidence that God is near, faithful, and gentle with those who seek Him, and a non-profit ministry he founded called Open Hands Ministries that carries on his passion by serving as a resource to pastors and leaders who have a desire to experience transformed inner lives.

Eldon is survived by his beloved wife, Ginger, of 60 years, his two children, Marla and Marc, six grandchildren (Naomi, Joe, Ben, Deborah, Abraham and Macdalah), and two great-grandchildren Judah (son of Devyn and Naomi) and Elias (son of Joe and Elaina). He is preceded in death by his parents (Ervin and Alice Fry), brother (Warren Fry), and granddaughter (Eden Fry).

He now rests in the presence of the One he followed so attentively.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM in the Meeting House Church, 1155 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle, PA 17015. Arrangements are being handled by Hollinger Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., Mt. Holly Springs, PA 17065. Visit HollingerFuneralHome.com to offer condolences to the family.