IRVINE - When Brandon Garcia wrote his own eulogy as part of a spiritual exercise, he had no idea how many lives would be touched - or how soon.

The 23-year-old youth minister at SeaRidge Community Church in Irvine was killed in a motorcycle accident June 14 - barely 36 hours after he read that eulogy to his youth group. The shock of his death has, in the weeks since, profoundly influenced both believers and the unchurched.

"Brandon's death has brought a sense of urgency to the people at our church," said Brad Sprague, the congregation's interim pastor. "His life, as well as his death, continues to speak powerfully."

Garcia, who graduated from Biola University two years ago, had been at the center of a burgeoning reconciliation movement after God restored his relationship with his estranged father two years ago. Garcia was in Thailand, helping with relief efforts in the aftermath of the South Asia tsunami that devastated the region. He was carrying dead bodies out of a ruined town when God broke his heart about his 11-year separation from his father.

The experience led Garcia to organize a group at Biola that would help young men grow in godliness, and he began sharing the testimony of how God had launched him into a journey of reconciliation with his father.

In early May, he shared that story at SeaRidge on a Sunday when Sprague was preaching on the biblical story of Joseph.

"When I came to SeaRidge back in April, I started a sermon series called 'God's Heroes' - ordinary people doing the extraordinary for God," said Sprague, who also serves as a life-planning coach through his LeaderBreakthru.com ministry.

"The sermon on Joseph focused on the fact that Joseph could embrace God's destiny for himself because he forgave his family. I asked Brandon to share his story about reconciliation with his father."

When an invitation was offered to begin reconciliation efforts with others, five people responded, and testimonies of reconciliation have been spreading through other churches and men's groups in the area.

"One young man, Ben Kelchner, has spoken to at least four groups, and each time people respond. It has been pretty amazing," Sprague said.

The first Tuesday night youth meeting after Garcia's death was a compelling experience.

Matt Kayser, who had discipled Brandon as his youth pastor at New Harvest Church in Irvine, shared with the SeaRidge teens how Garcia had been a loyal member of the youth group, always ready to serve. He recalled how he had started a Christian group at his high school and became a key student in "See You at the Pole" events. He explained how several men in the church had adopted Garcia and taught him what it meant to be a man of God.

"After Matt spoke, there was a powerful time of confession of sin," Sprague said. "Then there was a setting apart of youth for God - either for the Thailand mission trip that's coming up or for ministry to others. It was a powerful time."

The next day, Garcia's father, Gilbert, called Sprague and the two men met.

"Gilbert was a father tormented by his son's death, missed opportunities and a relationship that had just begun to renew," Sprague said. "We talked for about an hour and then I played a tape of the testimony Brandon gave in late May at The Journey Church in Anaheim Hills.

"After listening to the recording, I asked Gilbert if he would like to receive the forgiveness and grace of the Lord Jesus and he said yes.

"His son's death led him to eternal life, and one day he will see Brandon again," Sprague declared.

After leading Garcia's father to Christ, Sprague said he also felt God's prompting to pray that the youth minister's testimony would continue to bring reconciliation between fathers and sons.

The first answer to that prayer came June 24, when SeaRidge youth led the worship service, complete with music, testimonies and a slide-show celebrating Brandon's life.

"One of the most powerful moments was when Ben stood up to share his story of reconciliation with his father because of Brandon's testimony," Sprague said. "Ben asked people to come forward if they needed prayer for reconciliation. It was a miracle to see reconciliation continue as it did for Brandon."

The memorial service held later in the afternoon was standing-room only. Garcia's mother, Barbara, paid tribute to her son, and his father stood to acknowledge the role she had played in Brandon's life in his absence.

Garcia had taken a second trip to Thailand to help with tsunami reconstruction, and was planning to lead a youth group to the country for a July 30-Aug. 16 project that would build a multi-use facility to house a new church, a training center and a community center for children. Now Sprague will lead that team.

"Brandon's death has had a profound effect on all of us," he said. "Personally, I'm listening to God more closely than ever and trying to follow the spiritual intuitions or hunches the Holy Spirit gives me.

"It has made me more aware to just listen to God and to move out on what I believe He wants me to do. I am learning more about responding to God, rather than trying to make things happen for God.

"At the same time, our church is more keenly aware of the importance of making the most of our time with our kids. Are we being obedient to what God has asked us to do? If not, then let's obey."

No one knows how much time they have left, and what time we have shouldn't be wasted, Sprague asserted.

"I have seldom known a young person who had that kind of influence in such a short period of time."

The epitaph Garcia composed for himself read in part:

"His life was characterized by faith, integrity, dependability, self-sacrifice and humility.

"He rejected passivity, accepted responsibility, led courageously, and is experiencing God's greater reward. Died well and left nothing unfinished."