On Tuesday,March 17 2020 we shall lay to rest our beloved Pastor Mureithi Mwaura AKA Pastor More Fire AKA kigooco Rurii- ini.
This article or writing will not be enough to tell the story of this departed hero of faith. 27 years ago I see him in my wedding sporting an Afro and up in mid-air dancing. The bride is entering the church grounds at our Nairobi church headquarters.Then he never knew that he would be the local pastor here for the Nairobi region.
During Sabbath services him and Brother wa-kihuria dominated space during praise and worship sessions. They uplifted many of us.
Since then and over the years we have always been at close quarters as we served our Savior Yahshuah in different capacities.
For many years he started and maintained an Evangelism drive outside Reinsurance Plaza in Nairobi city center. His hard work and his love for Evangelism elevated him to become pastor in the Nairobi region. Later on I also became a pastor.
Pastor Mureithi served the congregation with dedication. He organized the inter fellowships in the region. He was also involved in planning of all feast holidays and all gatherings and meetings at the headquarters. During these meetings he worked the congregation with song and dance. He became synonymous with two powerful exclamations whenever he was on his feet. More fire- when he wanted us all to be uplifted from strength to strength Kigoco rurii-ini. He shouted this one to get us ready to praise. And so he became Pastor More Fire.
Overtime our organization has been blessed to have international affiliations. We had visitors coming to Kenya from South Africa, Malawi, USA, Tanzania ,Jamaica and other places. We also escorted our overseer and other missionaries as they flew out of the country.He always led the brethren to and from the airport. We sang, we gave thanks, we prayed. International visitors and friends will remember his works and his catch name Pastor More Fire.
One morning in 2012, I accompanied Pastor James from South Africa from our Mombasa church to Nairobi. The Pastor had to leave very early in the morning for South Africa. As we arrived by bus at about 4 am, we found Pastor Mureithi and Pastor Kabuga waiting for us in town. They made sure the visiting Pastor is received well, early in the morning and taken to the airport without a hitch. I have never forgotten that gesture. All our missionaries have been received by Pastor Mureithi as they came back from our continuous Malawi Missions. It didn’t matter to him day or night.
He was the National Minister in charge of church property and church development. He helped church branches to organize fundraising to buy Plots and build. He crisscrossed the country whenever such duty called . He was a great and dedicated organizer and fundraiser.
At the headquarters he was of great help to Overseer Hezekiah Karanja. He was in charge and did all duties, he baptized, prayed for the needy, visited believers in the homes, held meetings with individuals and church groups. No wonder when brethren heard of his quick illness and death, they all said NO! In unison! How? Why? What?
The almighty God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has spoken. We are defeated and we now accept with humility that he has gone to sleep, awaiting the final trumpet.
As I shed tears of sorrow I remember how we have worked together as Pastors under the blessed leadership of our overseer H.K.Karanja. With other Pastors we held many meetings together. We spoke about church progress and the service of God.
I was devastated by the news of his death. Want the almighty to help me to understand more the meaning of what has just happened. I will remain strong in faith.
A few years ago, he together with the overseer and brethren went to the airport. This time he was escorting me. He saw me off as I came to serve God in another region up North. It was part of the growth that we spoke about many times. We have been speaking on the phone. And now what shall we say?
The ways of the almighty are unsearchable. They are beyond finding out. Ref: Romans 11:33, Isaiah 40:28, Job 9:10, Psalms 145:3.
So on Tuesday though we may cry, we shall also be celebrating his life.He was a hero and he made a difference in all our lives. Kigooco rurii- ini will not stop!
I am humbled as I pray that may his family, wife Sister Warira Mureithi be consoled, his children and relatives.
May the church in Kenya be comforted at this time. Let us all remember one thing: Pastor More Fire has just gone to sleep and that Yashuah is Coming Soon!!!
Pastor K.Thumbi (KT)- BOSTON USA
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