Tribute to the late Rev. Alfred Mpofu, Bulawayo.
The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland met at Inverness, 21st May, 1987, and wishes to express its deep sorrow and profound sense of loss occasioned by the death of Rev. Alfred Mpofu, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Alfred Mpofu was born in 1932 and was, in God’s providence, familiar with law and gospel. Although highly privileged to have the godly John Mpofu, Home Missionary, Zenka, as his grandfather, it was not until he came under the preaching of the late James Fraser that he became interested in the Word of God. The Holy Spirit has His time, place and means to bring in those appointed to salvation.
Zenka was the district where he was brought up and here he spent the greater part of his life teaching in the Mission school. It was at Zenka Mission he first professed Christ, and some years later was elected to the office of elder. In this office he proved to be most useful to the cause of Christ, undertaking with much zeal and love the work of supplying outlying preaching stations. During this time he continued to teach in the school, but the added burden of supplying outlying stations was undertaken in a most cheerful manner. He was also an able interpreter, and while interpreting, his oneness with the preacher and his message was very much felt by the preacher.
In 1978 he was appointed Synod elder, and in December of the following year he indicated his desire for, and showed clearly that he had a call from God to the work of the ministry. This was not unexpected, because for many years previous he displayed qualities which indicated him to be a most suitable person for that work. Part of his training for the ministry was undertaken in his own Presbytery, and in 1980 he completed his studies in Scotland under the tutorship of Rev. D. MacLean, Glasgow. On the 6th February, 1982, he was ordained and inducted to the pastorate of the Bulawayo Congregation. Here he displayed gifts appropriate to his pastoral duties, and his pastoral activities took him to many parts of the city beyond the bounds of his own congregation. There were four preaching stations over and above the main congregation of Lobengula; all this entailed a vast amount of work for Mr Mpofu. He was particularly patient towards the unconverted, recalling what a rebellious sinner he was himself till the Lord had mercy upon him. He obviously loved the souls of his people and had a fatherly concern for them, which was most evident when he was greeting the people and moving among them. He was not slow to rebuke sin. It made no difference who the person was, whether a poor graceless sinner or a fellow believer; they were rebuked in a most loving and gracious manner for their wrongdoing. He was greatly loved by his people, and indeed by those throughout the Church who knew him well. Mr Mpofu showed a deep and spiritual attachment to the Reformed Faith, and loved the Free Presbyterian Church and all it stood for. He fully understood the stand of 1893, having no hesitation in propagating, supporting and defending it. Throughout his ministry he was noted for his consistent Christian conduct and his discernment in church affairs. Sadly his ministry was short but happily it was a fruitful one. A goodly number of souls professed Christ under his ministry and many others came to settle themselves under his ministry, who before were indifferent about regular attendance in the Bulawayo Congregation.
Due to chronic renal failure, he passed away on the 17th March this year, we believe to be with His Lord and Master whom he so dearly loved to serve. Prior to his entering the ministry he was seriously ill, in fact the same illness which was eventually the cause of his death. During this first illness it was feared he might die but the Lord’s purpose was different. He gave Mr Mpofu another eight years. For five of these he engaged in the noble work of the ministry, and not without some good success. Rev. Mpofu’s death comes as a great loss to the Bulawayo Congregation, to the Church in Africa and the Free Presbyterian Church as a whole. May the Lord graciously raise up others in his place, and the children in the place of the fathers.
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the congregation and to the Church in Zimbabwe, to his widow and family and to his aged mother and relatives. “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 19.
Tribute to Mr Donald Macleod, Elder at Glendale
The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland met at Inverness this 21st day of May, 1987, wish to place on record their sense of loss by the death of Mr Donald Macleod who was an elder in the Glendale Congregation and who also represented the congregation in the Presbytery and Synods.
He did not take a prominent part in the deliberations of the Presbytery and Synod but he was a lover of the truth and his whole heart’s desire was to see the truth and the Cause of Christ prospering in the world.
Donald was a man of one talent, but he made use of what the Lord gave him, and would do what he could to help the Cause. We believe that his experience and consciousness often was as described in these words of Paul: “To will is present with me but how to perform that which is good I find not.” The Lord often accepts the will for the deed as He said to David of old: “Thou didst well in that it was in thine heart.”
One other feature of Donald’s character must be mentioned and that is that he was predominantly a man of prayer. One day a friend was passing on a lonely stretch of the highway and who did he see in the distance in this lonely spot but Donald Macleod approaching the main road. When Donald was asked what this meant he replied that he had a hiding place over there where he often resorted to pray; a practice very prevalent in the Highlands and Islands when the Church had better days. Thus Donald was like the godly lady of old who left written in her diary: “I would not be lured out of my closet for a thousand worlds. I never enjoy such hours of pleasure, and such free and entire communion with God as I have here; and I wonder that any can live prayerless and deprive themselves of the greatest privilege allowed them.”
We believe that our friend now is enjoying and partaking of the inheritance of the saints in light for which His people are made meet by the Lord.
The Synod extend their condolences to his sorrowing family, and hope they also may follow in the footsteps of their father.
In referring to the Tribute to the late Rev. A. Mpofu, Rev. Donald MacLean said: “I have very pleasant memories of him in 1965 when I was in Rhodesia and again while I was tutoring him. I always felt what an evidence it was of the effect of the gospel when Mr Mpofu and Mr Mazvabo were both together studying for the ministry. Mr Mpofu was of the Matabele tribe and Mr Mazvabo of the Shona tribe. These two tribes were at war with one another. These two men lived together here in Glasgow and exhibited much brotherly love. It shows that the only place for true reconciliation for mankind is at the foot of the Cross.”
The Moderator thanked the people of Inverness for their kindness shown during the Synod. The Synod was brought to a close.