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Carole MIkita ReportingMembers of a Lutheran congregation formally welcomed their new pastor this evening, he was born and raised in Africa and his installation was a joyous celebration.
Elijah Mwitanti witnessed a dream come true, but never imagined a church of his own would come to him thousands of miles from his homeland of Zambia.
Rev. Elijah Mwitanti, Our Savior's Lutheran Church: “I see God in the terrain and the surrounding area here, it’s really beautiful.”
And he says he like the desires of this congregation to know better the word of God and improve their discipleship.
Rev. Elijah Mwitanti, new pastor, Our Savior's Lutheran Church: "Those being my passions propelled me to seek out this position here."
What he brings from Africa, he says, is the simple faith of a 15-year-old boy who wanted to be a minister because of his love of The Bible.
Rev. Elijah: "As christians we need to base our lives on scripture. Anything else really comes and goes, scripture remains the same."
As the more than 800 members of his congregation welcome him as their pastor, Elijah Mwitanti has one spiritual goal -- to deepen their faith. Pastor Elijah, as he is called, travels to Zambia for one month every year working on the Oasis Village for widows and orphans of AIDS victims, which he and his wife established.
