Former professional athlete Tim Tebow announced Friday that his father, Robert Tebow, has died, expressing confidence that he is now “home” with Jesus.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Tebow described his father as a "hero," adding, “Heaven ushered in a hero of the faith last night as my Dad was welcomed home!”

"Many will say sorry for your loss but the truth is he’s not lost, we know exactly where he is. He’s home. Forever!"

Tebow shared that his father was aware his death was near and reflected on a recent conversation they had about Heaven.

“I asked him last week what he looked forward to most about Heaven, and he simply said, ‘Jesus,’” Tebow wrote, adding that his father “couldn’t wait to see Jesus face to face.”

“Praise God that his wait is over,” he added. “Death has been swallowed up in victory. He’s healed and whole now. So we don’t mourn as those with no hope. See you soon, Dad!”

Tebow’s post included multiple pictures of the athlete with his father, as well as a picture of himself with his father, mother, his wife, Demi-Leigh Tebow, and a picture of his father holding his grandchild and other family photos. 

Demi-Leigh Tebow also shared a tribute to her late father-in-law on Instagram. She remembered him as a “gentle grandpa” who “loved ice cream, a good laugh and never met a dog he didn’t like (and who was far too easy on me for marrying his youngest son — for that I’m thankful).”

“I am grateful for the man who raised the love of my life. The man who shaped him to be strong yet humble, courageous yet kind, bold yet deeply compassionate … a protector, a leader, and above all, a man who loves God and loves people well,” she wrote. 

Quoting, “Grief is the price we pay for love,” she reflected on the loss while expressing hope.

“What a privilege it is to have loved someone so dearly that their absence feels this significant. We know heaven is rejoicing as he is welcomed into his forever home … but on this side of heaven, the emptiness is real, and it is heavy.

“We will miss him. And we will do our best to carry the legacy he lived so faithfully. Mr. Tebow, Thank you for the extraordinary, bold and faithful life you lived and the significant impact you had on countless lives,” she concluded. 

Like her husband, Demi-Leigh Tebow's post included photos and video of Robert Tebow with his family, including moments with his grandchild.

In a previous interview with The Christian Post, Tebow credited his father with shaping his commitment to combating human trafficking.

He recalled how his father, while preaching at an underground pastors’ conference in a region hostile to Christianity, encountered four girls being sold at an auction and used all the money he had to buy their freedom.

“And he called me afterward, and it’s hard to explain,” Tebow told CP. “I knew this was one of the areas that we've been called into … that we had to step up and stand up for those four and the rest, like those sweet, poor girls.”

Tebow has founded the Tim Tebow Foundation to carry out that mission by advocating for victims of human trafficking and child exploitation. The Tim Tebow Foundation’s “Unknown” campaign has helped identify more than 800 sexually exploited children through its partnership with law enforcement.

News Source : https://www.christianpost.com/news/tim-tebow-announces-fathers-death-home-with-jesus.html