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Personal Stories

Rev. Joseph Sunday—Retiree, Liberia, Africa

When he speaks about ministry, the Rev. Joseph Sunday speaks of joy.

"It’s not for the money," Sunday says. "I can bring others to Jesus Christ, and this gives me joy because the greatest service one can render is service to humanity."

Sunday has been active in ministry for more than 33 years. He retired in 2002 after serving churches mostly in rural regions of Liberia in West Africa.

Retirement did not come easily because retirees previously could not count on benefits, he said. As a result, pastors frequently worked long past retirement age. Today, retirees receive about $40 every four months—a small but regular retirement income. While not enough to live on, it symbolizes that the Church cares for its clergy and spouses.

"Some people say that when you are old, you don’t have any contribution to make, so they neglect you," Sunday says. "But this is not true with the Church. The Church considers older persons to be important."

How does one get by on such a paltry amount? "Well, with God all things are possible," Sunday says. "God will make a way. It is what I feel; it is what I believe."