Edwards was the International Director for the Micah Challenge and previously held office as the General Director of the Evangelical Alliance from 1997 to 2009.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Bishop Wayne Malcolm said: You left us far too soon and to be honest, we are devastated. Too much has changed in the last year and its all happened so fast. Yet your impact on our lives is unforgettable. You raised the bar you blazed a trail and you brought us with you. My dear role model, confident and brother, I guess that lunch will have to wait till we meet on the other side.

Recognised  as a wise voice within the christian community, Edwards left a lasting impression on those who crossed his path. In 2019 he was honoured by the Queen with a CBE for services to tackling poverty and injustice. Many knew him as the prolific preacher, gifted author, christian leader and exemplary mentor, however few knew him as the skilled musician.

He was the lead guitarist and one of the founding members of the band Kanos, Bazil Meade MBE shared with Premier Gospel. We played some dates in Holland, played at the Greenbelt festival and even recorded an album. We looked like an American soul band with our platform shoes, flared trousers and fur collared jackets, Meade reminisced.

A week before his passing the Kanos band reunited without Edwards to record a song that he had written several years back. We were so pleased that we were able to play the song to Joel before he passed, said Meade.

Even in his dying, Edwards selflessness and shepherds heart shone ever so bright. His final words to his friends and followers were shared on his behalf by his family: Dear Friends, this is to say a final goodbye. First my incredible thanks for your prayers, love and holding on with me to that fingernail miracle. Words cannot express the depth, breadth, and height of my gratitude, but I have gone home. My earnest prayer is that your faith and tenacity on my behalf will not be considered a pointless religious exercise, but that it will have strengthened your faith in God who is marvellous, mysterious and majestic in all that He does: The Faithful One...

Written by Akosua DF, Premier Gospel Presenter

Tributes have poured in from christians across the country in honour of Rev Joel Edwards CBE, who sadly passed away today.