In Memoriam: Emil Borch

In Memoriam: Emil Borch

Emil Borch, our dear brother and shepherd in Copenhagen, suddenly went home to God on January 22, 2026, at the age of 82. He was in the city of Roskilde near Copenhagen with his wife, Lene, for her doctor’s appointment. While waiting alone on a bench in front of the cathedral in the heart of the city, he was suddenly taken home to the heavenly dwellings. Emil was ready, but his sudden passing is felt as a great loss by those closest to him and by the church in Copenhagen.

His parents had a God-fearing and hospitable home, and they met each other in a Christian church called White Fields, where Emil attended Sunday school. When Emil Borch was 7 years old, he moved with his family to Tønder in southern Jutland. In Tønder, the Borch family met the church, and from this time on they began to attend house meetings and later participated more regularly in the church. When Emil was 12 years old, the family moved again to Zealand, closer to Copenhagen.

As a soldier, one night in an upper bunk at Stevnsfort, Emil gave his whole heart to God. It was a quiet decision, but one that was unwavering and lasted to the end of his life. At the age of 23, Emil married Lene, who is the daughter of Erna and Georg Riis Pedersen. Together with Lene, they built a home characterized by warmth and hospitality. Emil made his living as an electrician and was hardworking and thorough in both small and large matters—not least in financial matters.

Emil’s wife Lene was the marrow in his bones, and their home has been a great blessing. Lene and Emil’s 13 children, together with their families, are a source of joy and edification in their respective places where they live.

When Emil was 27 years old, he wrote the article “Hospitality” in Skjulte Skatter, in which he mentioned: “Hospitality is more than just hosting a coffee gathering, which is often no more than a return invitation. Hospitality is having an open home at all hours and always serving the best the house has to offer. Think—what a blessing comes upon such a home, where the friends always feel truly welcome, and welcome to return again when they leave. ‘For by so doing (practicing hospitality) some have unwittingly entertained angels.’” The content of this article was not merely “a theory” but very much something that Emil put into practice.

We have known Emil as a knowledgeable man who could trace the long threads running through history into the present day. In his humility, he had something exalted and noble about him—in an upright spirit. At the same time, he was in tune with the individual. With his warm sense of humor and spirit of faith, he was able to lift us all up so that we might enter the same path of love. When Emil spoke, he gathered to the Head—Christ—and the church, not to himself. He spoke the simple and sharp word of the cross.

“Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.” Heb. 13:7. Emil was truly a guide in goodness. When revival swept through the church in the 1990s, Emil Borch had a clear and prophetic vision and stood behind Kåre J. Smith. It has been a great blessing for the church in Copenhagen that Emil has had such a clear vision for what God blesses. It is no wonder that the church here has been so richly blessed by God as a result.

We are also thankful that our dear brother Keld Borch, Emil’s son, has been given the main responsibility in Copenhagen and, in his father’s spirit, serves his friends here with great zeal and love, and has won confidence in his ministry.

On January 29th, we held a beautiful and dignified funeral for Emil Borch, where our dear brother Kåre Smith and many friends from near and far were also present. Kåre read from Eccles. 10:17: “Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness!” Yes, blessed are we—who have had Emil as our leader. He held fast to the word of God and did not seek his own. He had a twinkle in his eye and a wry smile, and his spirit was so beautiful. He loved to bless and do good. Emil has kept that which was from the beginning, namely the word of life, where God’s power that creates is found.

When the Word becomes flesh, it results in a tremendous glory, when God’s word and will are given legs to walk on. The result will not only be a home in the church, but it will be a place where the church is in the home! When the word comes forth and reigns in the home, there will be a heavenly spirit in the home.

Emil came to a new life—a righteous life in thoughts, words and deeds. In this way, Emil also became a bringer of good tidings of Zion, as it says in Isa. 40:9. A message of good tidings is a spiritual testimony of life that can testify of victory over sin. A bringer of good tidings walks in righteousness and does what is right. He speaks at the right time, and we must listen to him. And only someone who has suffered for the commandments can step forward on Zion and lift up their voice. Emil could do this.

Peter Riis Pedersen, who has worked closely with Emil in the ministry for more than 50 years, read the verses from Job 29:12-16: “Because I delivered the poor who cried out, the fatherless and the one who had no helper. The blessing of a perishing man came upon me, and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind, and I was feet to the lame. I was a father to the poor, and I searched out the case that I did not know.” This was confirmed many times during the funeral, where many people testified to his personal care and warmth in times of joy and sorrow.

The funeral stirred a revival in hearts, something that has clearly left its mark on the time since and on our gatherings in Copenhagen.

Now Emil is blessed and united with the faithful ones in the cloud of witnesses. He is praying together with them and Jesus for those of us who are still in the battle.

May we who live follow his faith!