"A celebration of a life well lived. Not a time to grieve, mourn or cry." This is how the service held at Mwimuto Baptist Church on Saturday morning, August 30, 2008, was described. Yet, as Samuel N. Kihuga's life was celebrated and remembered, the true celebration was of his Saviour. All the glory and honour that day was never given to Pastor Samweli, but fully to the one he served, his Heavenly Father.

Some would call Pastor Samweli's story a "Lottie Moon Story." Lottie Moon went to China in 1873 and for 40 years she totally surrendered her life to proclaiming her Saviour’s eternal message to all "those who live on earth" (Revelation 14:6). Each year Southern Baptists remember her example as they give to the Lottie Moon Offering to continue proclaiming the eternal message. Thanks to this offering and other support given by Southern Baptists, Pastor Samweli was trained at the Baptist Seminary in Arusha, Tanzania (1973-77).

He was a friend and co-worker to missionaries who depended upon the support of Southern Baptists. In 1981 he became pastor at Mwimuto Baptist Church, a church which benefitted from the gifts of Southern Baptist during its early days. He served for 27 years at this church which was a church start of the new Parklands Baptist Church and missionaries in the late 1970’s.

Most importantly, Pastor Samweli’s story is a part of the Great Commission at work in Kenya – the Great Commission, our Saviour’s multiplication plan that is recorded in Matthew 28:19-20. Missionaries came to Kenya and played a part in Samweli being discipled, baptized and taught. He then committed his life to doing the same – Pastor Samweli took all he learned and he obediently entrusted it to others who would also be able to share it with others (2 Timothy 2:2). He did this as he pastored, mentored, discipled, witnessed, planted churches and strived to raise a Godly family and to be a friend to all irrespective of ethnic, economic or religious status. As was shared at the celebration, Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4:6-7 (NIV) can be accurately said of Pastor Samweli, “And the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Many memorable quotes were heard the day of the celebration, but as you read the following, please remember that Pastor Samweli would not want honour for himself and his work. He would desire that you see his life as an example of how our Saviour’s work on earth CAN BE and IS BEING continued. He would want his life to challenge you to be a part of our Father’s work, to obediently act as our Saviour’s witnesses in your town, region, nation and “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Pastor Samweli would ask that you, like those who influenced his life and those he discipled, be an active part of our Father’s work as you obediently serve Him through your service, prayers and giving.
“Father, forgive those who caused the death of Pastor Samweli. More importantly, Father, let them be saved by your love and grace.”

"Always striving to win people to Christ.”

“Haves and Have Nots had a place in his heart.”

“Mentor, colleague, friend, leader, pastor, hero, peace builder, wise man, shepherd, role model..."

“He felt a responsibility to those ignorant of God and his teachings. At all times he taught his church.”

“We don’t know how many churches Mzee (older, respected man in Kiswahili) started. We just know he was always starting churches!”

“Did not give up on errors of youth – his unofficial disciples.”

"I doubt that Kihuga ever thought of himself as a mentor – he just drew people to himself and never discarded them!”

"Mwimuto Baptist Church was started before the village really developed so it was one of the first churches. Of the 17 churches of all denominations now in the area, seven of the pastors were led to the Lord, baptized and discipled by Kihuga.”

“Kihuga and his church started churches everywhere. At least seven of those that survive are pastored by young men who grew up at Mwimuto. All of them were sponsored by the church to go the Nairobi Baptist Association three year Bible School. All finished because of financial support by Kihuga and the church.”

“Samweli was Chairman of the Bible School Committe which began the school for the Nairobi Association. He often taught, but was most effective with practical courses such as “How to Pastor."

“He could always be depended on to serve faithfully on committees such as the one for Convention Evangelism and not one time ever asking for nauli (financial help) to cover expense.”

“He could laugh and cause everyone else to laugh in the worst situations.”

“Mwimuto Baptist Church is represented by almost every tribe of Kenya. During the January unrest, not one person left the church. Kihuga did not see tribes.”

“Mzee always loved to visit, not to stay, but just to greet, share a pot of tea, inquire about the home, say words of encouragement, laugh a lot, talk about the Scriptures, pray and go. He did this for missionary, church member, anyone.”

“He had vision. His church started churches in Bondo (western Kenya) where 50 years of missionary work and Baptists of surrounding areas had failed.”

“Well over 60 Baptist churches were represented at the funeral. Kihuga always drew people together.”

Two incredible parts of the service: The prayers using the word “Asante” (thank you in Kiswahili) over and over and the pleas to our Father for forgiveness and salvation for those who killed the beloved pastor. Second, the plan of salvation shared at the close of the service as the cycle of making new disciples continued.

Do you now understand why the funeral last Saturday was not about celebrating a man on earth. It was a Celebration of our Saviour and how He brought honour and glory to His Father! You already are or can be a part of this. We all have the opportunity, the responsibility to claim our places as “God’s fellow workers” (1 Corinthians 3:9) and to “send out workers into his harvest field”, the harvest field which is “plentiful, but the workers are few” (Matthew 9:37).

NOW WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH WHAT YOU HAVE READ? How is your heavenly Father asking you to serve in His work? How can you be a part of our Saviour’s multiplication plan? What more can you do to be actively involved in the Great Commission? How will what you have read strengthen your support of missions, your praying and your giving? It’s up to you, what will you do with all you have read in this blog?
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
All verses taken from the HOLY BIBLE, New International Version, ©1973,1978 by the International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.