30 years since the passing of Jonathan Udo Ekong

May 19, 1928 Jonathan Udo Ekong (1881–1982) was sent to the U.S. by the Ibesikbos in Nigeria to seek missionaries for his country.

“In the history of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria, Rev. Jonathan Udo Ekong is regarded as the patriarch. Ekong stands as living springboard between the Lutherans in the U.S.A. and the Lutherans in Nigeria. Ekong worked hard to bring a church and a school to Ibesikpo, his village in the present Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. So great were his efforts that by the time he died in 1982, not only were there churches and schools in every Ibesikpo village, there were also Nigerian Lutherans serving with distinction all over Nigeria, in virtually every occupation and profession. Ekong was the very first person in Ibesikpo clan to beat a log-bell for people to assemble for worship. In a very real sense, therefore, Ekong was a pioneer and a trailblazer.”
(Dr. Kemdirim O. Protus, 2005)

January 6, 1982 Jonathan Udo Ekong, founding father of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria, died in Ibesikpo, Nigeria.

I was just short of my sixth birthday when word reached us in the U.S. that grandfather had died. At that point in my life I had only seen pictures of grandfather and heard the numerous stories from various people. For the men in my family and the Lutheran Church of Nigeria, grandfather really left large set of shoes to fill. His life story is simply inspiring to any man or woman entering the ministry. Try this on for size…

* He arrived in the U.S. looking for “the one true religion” (not my words, taken from the Log-Bell Ringer book) at the tender age of 47. At which point he had to begin his educational studies. Not like most missionaries that come from to our seminaries today. He had to start at the grade school level and work his way up at age 47.

* He would later return to Nigeria aided by the leadership of the late Dr. Henry Nau (President of Immanuel Lutheran Seminary, Greensboro, North Carolina)

* Longevity – He was 101 when he passed. His ministry even though it started late in life lasted 46 years. A ministry that included planting churches and schools among his people while using the a bicycle for transportation. A ministry that influenced his three children to excel; his oldest son Hosea serves as a pastor in the LCMS in Youngstown, OH and sits on the Board of Directors for the Ohio District, his other son Victor holds a Ph.D. in mathematics while teaching in Nigeria and in the U.S., and his daughter Dorcas who serves the Lutheran Church of Nigeria as a Deaconess.

* How many men have carried the weight of their people to go and bring back not only religion, but wherewithal to institute a educational system in each village to improve his people.

I am not big on recognizing the death of individuals, regardless of their impact on the world. We honor them back building off of the work during their time here. Yet, this one hits a little close to home, so I thought I would share. 🙂

To read more of Dr. Kemdirim O. Protus’ essay see the link below….
http://www.dacb.org/stories/nigeria/ekong_.html

The book he makes reference to, I reviewed back in August of 2010. It can be found here:

Jonathan Udo Ekong – The Log-Bell Ringer

http://www.lutheranhistory.org/history/tih0106.htm

Pleasant thoughts…

Sometimes when times get tough. We look back on something that was said to us or we experienced. For myself and my family it could be any number of things.  The afternoon after our last service at CTGS before departing for Saint Louis, MO., I recieved a wall message from a fellow elder and at the time Vice Chairman of the congreation. It brought myself and Linda to tears as we drove to Bloomington, IN to drop the kids off so we could focus on finishing packing.

Since this is my blog and at times I need to refer back to wise friends. This isn’t to boast, but to encourage one another. This time it was me needing the encouragement. At times our logic allows doubt to creep in and with that doubt the Devil takes hold.  Once the Devil has a foot in the door let the spiritual warfare begin. What am I saying, the Devil has never needed us to open the door to tempt and use our doubt against us.  Nevertheless, first turn to the bible and prayer. Also along those lines it doesn’t hurt to hear kind words from friends and family. To the Kreis family know that you continue to be on our minds and hearts.  Your words still hit home as much today as the day I read them the first time.

“The Potluck

Us being Lutheran and all, we are all very familiar with the church potluck dinner.  You know how everybody brings something different and there is always plenty to go around.  Well, some folks don’t really put much much effort into it and just pick up something on the way and throw it on the long table of food.  Others bring the same tried and true dish everytime.  Then there are the people who stand out.  They bring something unique and special with each opportunity, and everybody that gets a taste of it wants the recipe.  As people we all fall into those categories as well.  You and your family are definitely that special dish.  You bring something to the table that everybody wants to have for themselves.  You have added so much to so many lives, more than you will ever know I am sure.  Fortunately, you are so willing to share your recipes.  I feel that me and my family are better for knowing you and yours.  You will be missed brother.
God Bless,
The Kreis Family”