The sudden death of a child of God

July 12, 2011

The sudden death of a child of God

July12 , 2011

Once an old preacher said: “The sudden death of a child of God means for that person a sudden glory”.
 This was the case of pastor Pierre José NIOSI SEKE-dia-LUTUMBA when he died suddenly on July 4.  During a mission trip on the plateau of the Bateke tribe he got sick. When he arrived in a hospital in Kinshasa he went within 4 hours into the glory of our Lord Jesus. 
A fellow worker wrote about pastor Pierre Niosi : « This giant was simple in his conduct with a great heart for Evangelism, finished his course on earth ».
About 30 years ago I met him for the first time. He was small and he did not wear good looking clothes. He was never the first to speak in a pastors meeting. Most of the time he was in the background, but his words came out of the Word of God. 
His sermons were not special, nor mighty or powerful. But his work among the animistic tribe Bateke was fantastic. He preached in the power of the holy Spirit and many Bateke came to the Lord Jesus for salvation. He worked hard to get young Bateke believers in the Bible Institute and he was very much respected, also by pagan chiefs of the villages who are at the same time sorcerers. One said to him: “Now I know you are a Christian: You are doing what you promised! “
Regularly he walked 40 km or more a day to preach  the message of salvation in villages without church.
What was his secret? He had a deep love for his Savior and a passion for souls. He joined our small Bateke team, nearly 1 year after we started and he never left the team.
When our car was stuck in the mud, he was the first one who took the shovel  or to push the car. He always encouraged me: tata Van – my Congolese name- never give up. We ‘ll overcome through Jesus only!
We spoke much with each other as real brothers and opened our hearts in sharing difficult situations or personnel  problems: we trusted each other completely. Not a white man was my best friend, but a black one, Pierre Niosi, my brother!
He was with me when we were arrested by criminals, disguised as soldiers.  He knew the spot where we were forced to go: the place where many people were killed and he witnessed about Jesus to the criminals. Without any normal cause we ordered to stop the car and the criminals disappeared. At that time I heard about the extreme danger! 
Just before we left Congo I brought my friend Niosi to the bus station, but we came within a gun fight between the army and students who revolted. One person at the street side recognized Niosi and screamed at the top of his voice: Pastor, quickly, turn back, danger…..
Three weeks ago I received Niosi’s  last letter- he was 70- where he showed his vision to bring the Gospel to other unreached area’s, far from Kinshasa. 
God’s  fellow workers will die, but His work will go on.
 I am sure that Pierre Niosi  has been welcomed in heaven with the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things: I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

Theo van Barneveld  /  former missionary in Congo, Kinshasa