Africa Inland Church (AIC) Kitui Township pastor-in-charge Rev John Muli on Sunday led an emotional service and a party for his retirement, with some breaking down in tears of joy and happiness.
It was a Sunday service like no other at AIC Itiko, Kalitini location in Mui ward, Mwingi Central in which Rev Muli was escorted to the church for a send-off of prayers by hundreds of faithful at the end of his 40 years as a cleric at the church’s altar.
Tears dropped as both faithful from AIC Kitui Township and AIC Itiko, backed by some villagers, when the latter's church pastor John Vungo welcomed Rev Muli to the same church he began his service in 1983.
The service was also attended by area MCA Kiteme Muthami, Chief Mary Mwende, a family spokesman Elijah Mukunzwa among other local leaders.
Vungo told the enthusiastic congregation that “a man shall return to the same soil he came from.” He then asked Rev Muli’s successor, Rev Titus Masya, to preside over the programme and invite the retired cleric to speak to the faithful.
When he rose to speak, many worshippers were overjoyed by his parting message with some whipping out tears with hand clothes and soft papers.
The 70-year old pastor thanked God for His providential arrangement of circumstances during his tenure of service.
He said it was by coincidence that President William Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua came to worship at his church last October 24 when he was about to begin his retirement journey.
Rev Muli moved the congregation into laughter when he said he innocently touched the president’s spirit when he used the random chance to whisper loud that a car was his priority as he leaves church leadership. He reminded the church of the book of Romans 8:28 in Holy Bible which says “All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”
On Sunday, the church handed over a new Toyota Hilux Pick up to pastor Muli as the retirement package.
In October, President Ruto donated a brand new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado to the pastor.
Ruto was moved by the pastor’s charismatic leadership in the church by elevating spiritual and structural developments during his tenure.
Rev Muli likened the President’s car gift as a sign of how God works in His miraculous ways to prove His faithfulness to His servants. He termed the gift as a surprise in his lifetime.
Quoting a verse in the Bible, the pastor urged Christians to keep praying, encouraging them that there is nothing impossible from God. He said it sounds unmanageable that today as he goes home for retirement, he is not only going driving a new car but a big and magnificent one.
“This is an extraordinary act. In it, I see the mighty hand of God and His magnitude. The President has served God through this act and he (President) won’t be needy because of awarding me this exclusive car. I dedicate him (Ruto) to God’s of Heavens to guide him to keep serving tirelessly,” the pastor said in his earlier message when he received the car.
The cleric termed his dream and mission completed after his 40 years of service as an AIC pastor.
He said as a young pastor he began his service at his AIC Itiko home in Mwingi Central in 1983 where he served for five years before being transferred to AIC Kitui Township in 1988.
“As I go for retirement, I can say without any iota of doubt that I am leaving a happy and accomplished church at AIC Kitui Township. I go home as happy man ever,” the cleric gave his parting shot to the thrilled congregation.
Reading from Hebrews 6: 9-12, the cleric said God is not unfair that He will forget the work “you did or the love you showed for Him in the help you gave and are still giving to fellow-Christians.” He cautioned the church against abandoning the faith.
The church minister said he grew up from a humble beginning where he worked as a shamba boy looking after cattle at home. He initially taught as a primary and secondary teacher before receiving God’s calling and joined Bible Theological College in 1979.
STORY By PAUL MUTUA
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