From the Moderator
Contributions to the column reserved for the moderator will present meditations, written by members of the congregations in the IL/WI District. The one exception will be Musa Mambula from the EYN church in Nigeria, who will reflect on our conference theme, “Do Not Be Afraid…”. It seems like these followers of the risen Christ have been tested in ways that most of us cannot imagine. They have demonstrated that the promise of good news from a loving, all powerful, God can sustain us in the worst of times.
The Rev. Dr. Musa Mambula began his duties as Bethany Seminary’s first International Scholar in Residence on June 16, 2016. From 1981 to 1983, Dr. Mambula attended Bethany in Oak Brook, Illinois. Dr. Mambula is a gifted teacher, preacher, administrator, and guidance counselor. In 2003 he began a six-year term as president/provost of the Theological College of Northern Nigeria near Jos in Plateau State. Dr. Mambula has served the Ekkleyisar Yan-Uwa A Nigera (EYN) and related church bodies in various capacities, including six years as the elected national spiritual advisor for EYN.
The message by the angel in Luke 2:10, gives us the most profound, most reassuring, and the most astounding, rare good news for all the people on earth.
This is because fear is “a distressing emotion aroused by an impending danger, pain, etc. whether the threat is real or imagined”. In other words, fear is a state whereby you feel frightened or afraid, regardless of whether you should be afraid or not. Note the key word is regardless, which means it is possible to feel fear when you rightfully shouldn’t be scared. The EYN-Church of the Brethren in Nigeria is passing through the most difficult circumstances in her history since 1923. EYN, like the oak tree, has grown from an initial four converts in 1927 to over one million members in 2016.
Unfortunately, since the awful attack on September 11, 2001, most people have come to think of our time as an age of terrorism. In a matter of minutes, thousands of innocent people were killed at their work places that day. There was a national shock and grief, which transformed into fear and anger. The root of the word “terror” is “to frighten”, in part we are describing here the spread of fear when we refer to our time as an age of terror. Luke’s message in chapter 2:10 resonates with the EYN in Nigeria.
We are frightened, persecuted, and oppressed as a church by the Boko Haram terrorists. We are frustrated and neglected by the government that does not respect our rights and remains silent about our plights as Christians. But thanks be to God—Luke’s message of “Don’t be afraid, I bring you good news”, gives the church hope; a wonderful gift from God. Hope in God is our main source of strength, courage, and resilience in the face of EYN’s harshest trials and persecution. “Don’t be afraid, I bring you good news”, lifts our spirits, and helps us to persevere. It reminds us that God is still on the throne. Luke’s message gives us the patience to trust and work at living in peace with our neighbors.
Rev. Musa A Mambula, PHD,
International Scholar in Residence,
615 National Road West,
Richmond, IN 47374
The Rev. Dr. Musa Mambula began his duties as Bethany Seminary’s first International Scholar in Residence on June 16, 2016. From 1981 to 1983, Dr. Mambula attended Bethany in Oak Brook, Illinois. Dr. Mambula is a gifted teacher, preacher, administrator, and guidance counselor. In 2003 he began a six-year term as president/provost of the Theological College of Northern Nigeria near Jos in Plateau State. Dr. Mambula has served the Ekkleyisar Yan-Uwa A Nigera (EYN) and related church bodies in various capacities, including six years as the elected national spiritual advisor for EYN.
“Do not be afraid, I bring you good news.”
The message by the angel in Luke 2:10, gives us the most profound, most reassuring, and the most astounding, rare good news for all the people on earth.
This is because fear is “a distressing emotion aroused by an impending danger, pain, etc. whether the threat is real or imagined”. In other words, fear is a state whereby you feel frightened or afraid, regardless of whether you should be afraid or not. Note the key word is regardless, which means it is possible to feel fear when you rightfully shouldn’t be scared. The EYN-Church of the Brethren in Nigeria is passing through the most difficult circumstances in her history since 1923. EYN, like the oak tree, has grown from an initial four converts in 1927 to over one million members in 2016.
Unfortunately, since the awful attack on September 11, 2001, most people have come to think of our time as an age of terrorism. In a matter of minutes, thousands of innocent people were killed at their work places that day. There was a national shock and grief, which transformed into fear and anger. The root of the word “terror” is “to frighten”, in part we are describing here the spread of fear when we refer to our time as an age of terror. Luke’s message in chapter 2:10 resonates with the EYN in Nigeria.
We are frightened, persecuted, and oppressed as a church by the Boko Haram terrorists. We are frustrated and neglected by the government that does not respect our rights and remains silent about our plights as Christians. But thanks be to God—Luke’s message of “Don’t be afraid, I bring you good news”, gives the church hope; a wonderful gift from God. Hope in God is our main source of strength, courage, and resilience in the face of EYN’s harshest trials and persecution. “Don’t be afraid, I bring you good news”, lifts our spirits, and helps us to persevere. It reminds us that God is still on the throne. Luke’s message gives us the patience to trust and work at living in peace with our neighbors.
Rev. Musa A Mambula, PHD,International Scholar in Residence,
615 National Road West,
Richmond, IN 47374
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