01/06/2026
😭 😭 😭 I BEGGED A MEMBER NOT TO LEAVE OUR CHURCH!! By Timothy Mkenya
One of the most trying seasons in a pastor’s ministry is leading a small congregation. At that level, church is deeply personal. You know every member by name, their children, where they live, where they work, and even the burdens they silently carry. Any absence is immediately noticed. Every empty seat speaks loudly.
Financially, such ministries survive by faith. Offerings are humble, often unable to meet even the most basic needs of the church. Yet in those fragile beginnings, a pastor learns to trust God in ways that cannot be taught in Bible school.
At that particular time, our congregation had barely fifteen members. On a good Sunday, the offering could hardly exceed one thousand shillings. Most of the members were either low-income earners or unemployed. Still, I prayed for them faithfully, believing God would visit us.
Then one day, a miracle happened.
One of our members received an appointment letter for a government job. To us, it was not just employment; it was a testimony wrapped in divine favor. The whole church celebrated with tears and joy. We felt like heaven itself had remembered our little ministry.
From that moment, the brother became one of the strongest pillars in the church. He supported projects, stood with us during difficult moments, and even volunteered to pay the church rent together with his family. To a struggling pastor, that kind of support feels like Aaron and Hur holding up Moses’ hands.
Then came the Sunday that shook me.
It was month-end, and the church rent had not yet been paid. Naturally, I expected him and his family to show up as usual. But service time approached and there was no sign of them.
I called him before the service. No response.
I sent a text message. No reply.
I went to WhatsApp and noticed something strange — my messages had been blue-ticked, yet there was complete silence. That was unlike him. Immediately, something sank ....