Peter Lawrence Mehl

Peter, 61, left his earthly body and entered into the presence of his Heavenly Father, Thursday, May 11th. Peter was born on February 25, 1956 to George and June Mehl in Moorhead, MN where he was raised in humble surroundings. Because of this he was determined not to be poor, small, lonely or stupid. He set goals to overcome in each of these areas and began working to accomplish them. He was involved in sports like wrestling and competitive weight lifting, winning state and regional championships and eventually setting both American and world records in the drug free World Natural Power-lifting Federation.

Peter had the spirit of entrepreneurship and started his first business at the age of 7 selling penny bubblegum door to door for 5 cents. He then worked 2 newspaper routes, washed dishes and bused at a restaurant during his school years. After graduating from Shanley High School in 1974 he became a Navy seaman for 3 years. He considered it a privilege and honor to serve his country. He married his high school sweetheart, the love of his life, Jill Marie Olson, February 6, 1976. After his time in the Navy he completed his welding degree through Moorhead Technical College and soon after joined the family business, Mehl's Boiler Repair with his dad followed by Mehl's Insulation & Heating which he started with his brother Paul. In the mid-Eighties he added asbestos removal through his last business with his brother called Survey Management & Design.

While he completed his goal of becoming a millionaire at the age of 32 the greatest decision of his life was made on July 3, 1981 when he and Jill repented and received Jesus as their Lord and Savior; the same night, vowing to serve Him with hearts of passion. Two weeks later their first daughter, Christina, was born followed 4 years later by their 2nd daughter, Alicia and Satia, less than a year later. Peter loved being a father to his three girls.

Peter loved the Lord and when he got saved it was genuine. In Jill's words, "Peter went ballistic! He was in church twice on Sunday's, Wednesday nights, Saturday morning and evening prayer and then involved in anything that had to do with evangelism or missions." He was so excited to serve the Lord and see souls saved for the Kingdom of God. In February of 1993 he answered the call that God had placed on his life and gave away his businesses, properties, land and more. He took his wife and 3 girls and left America to launch Russian Harvest Ministries. Since that time the ministry has pioneered churches in every state of the nation of Ukraine, trained over 15,000 students, launched Bible schools, missionary training centers, drug rehab centers and so much more. He was also a spiritual father to many including Natasha, who he considered a daughter and has been a part of the ministry since the very beginning, and his two sons, Karen and Zhenya.

Peter enjoyed life and was so excited to become a part of the grandparents club when in October of 2008, he became a grandpa for the first time to Izabella Rash. One year later, Selah Petersen and Parker Rash were born, then shortly after, Nylah Petersen, and lastly, Simon ‘Peter’ Petersen. He treasured every moment he had with his grandkids and they never had to doubt his love for them. He was always so proud of them and always cheering them on. Each one of them hold a part of Peter that will forever live on through them.

Peter died doing what he was called to do and with the same intensity, fire and zeal for the Lord as he always had. That is what he lived for and that is why his legacy will continue.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Jill; his daughters Christina, Fargo, ND; Alicia (Taylor) Rash, Bismarck, ND; Satia (Sam) Petersen, Fargo, ND; and his 5 grandkids, Izabella and Parker Rash, Selah, Nylah and Simon ‘Peter’ Petersen, and 1 grand-puppy, Lucy Rash. He is also survived by his siblings, Tim (Sylvia), Moorhead, MN, Paul (Mary Ann), North Las Vegas, NV, Kay (Gary) Overby, Dilworth, MN, and Rebecca (Eric) Nelson, Hawaii.

He is preceded in death by his parents, George and June; sisters, Carol (Alex) Kossick, Georgia (Charles) Sorenson, Thomas (Judy) Mehl; the family dog, Gideon and grand-dog, Anessa.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Russian Harvest Ministries to continue the work he began. www.russianharvestministries.org