The year was 1767 – May 10 – when several hundred people gathered at Isaac Long’s Barn in Lancaster, Pa. for a Great (revival) Meeting.
The preacher that day was Martin Boehm, a Mennonite farmer who had been chosen by Lot (Acts 1:26) to serve his church as minister. He felt inadequate and unworthy to serve until one day – praying as he plowed – God spoke to him, “I am come to seek and save those who are lost.”
He experienced God’s grace renewed and from that day forward was a powerful speaker. Because of his zeal to preach the Gospel, the Mennonite Conference expelled him from their church. There was another preacher at the service – William Otterbein, a well-educated Reformed pastor. He came to America in 1752 to minister to the many Reformed Christians in Lancaster. He too had a zeal and joy preaching God’s grace.
Once – because of his enthusiasm – his church members locked him out of the church and shouted at him. He preached in the cemetery until they relented and let him in. Complaints were made to the Reform Church authorities in Holland with request they discipline him.
At the barn, after Boehm had preached, Otterbein approached him and said, “Wir sind bruder!” (“We are brothers!”) From that moment the two men – who had been pushed out of their faith communities – became friends and soon cooperated in creating the first Christian denomination on American soil not transplanted from Europe, The Church of the United Brethren.
Historian Frederick Norwood wrote, “They were an interesting pair: Otterbein the stately university-trained minister and Boehm the Mennonite farmer with a full beard.”
When Jehu – king of the northern kingdom of Israel – sought an ally for battle against the followers of Baal, he met with Jehonadab, a Kenite, descended from Moses father-in-law, Jethro. Jehu assured him of his zeal for the Lord and an alliance was made. He was from the city and Jehonadab was from the country, but they came together for a common cause.
2 Kings 10:15 records their meeting:
“And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.”
As COVID continues to ravage our land, it is a time to put aside differences and work together. We are all brothers and sisters and our family is hurting. Please do everything within your power to be safe and keep others safe.
This is not a time to play roulette with your life or anyone else’s. Please consider getting a vaccine, if not for you for those you love. Please consider wearing a mask when you are in crowded areas.
Let us work together to keep everyone safe.
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He can be reached via email, ereece@wnccumc.net.