A Moment With Pastor Fred

Paul Long who served in the former Belgian Congo tells of a native preacher named Mutombo Elijah. He was the “Billy Graham” of that area. But Mutombo was diagnosed with leprosy and had to move to the lepers’ camp. His dear wife and children went with him, trusting the Lord to protect and care for them.

The leper camp was a dangerous place, not only thievery but immorality and murder. It was not a nice place to live, but this dear brother started preaching the gospel and lepers were saved. In time a church was planted.  In fact, the leper church soon became the largest in their denomination. Then after 15 years Mutombo was cleared of his leprosy. He was offered a new position in any of the churches. He said no. By the way, God had kept his wife and children from contracting the disease.  Mutombo said, “If I go elsewhere, who will take my place in the camp? Will one of you become the pastor of the flock where I serve? No, I will stay where God has placed me.” 

Dear friends, we might not like the circumstances that we’ve been living in this past year, but God has placed us here at this time and in this place. Regardless of the trials we face, God is sovereign and he is love. Our task is trust him, to worship and to serve him. God sometimes decrees a course in life which we can’t welcome enthusiastically but in which we must live faithfully. 2 Cor 5:9, we make it our goal to please him.