seminary campus. The church continues to be a beacon of biblical teaching and outreach these many years later.
A former member of the church, Cristiano Bernardo, now serves as one of the pastors. He said,“ Pastor Mike always encouraged me. His life awakened a desire to become a pastor in my heart. He was a great example of character and dedication to the kingdom of God, a leader, and a visionary.”
Lorena loved life and its simple pleasures. She was sensitive to the feelings of others and easily connected with people. She counseled and discipled women. She also led women’ s Bible studies and led devotionals for young women at a home for unwed mothers. Lorena stood by Mike’ s side as his wife and a loving and dedicated mother to their three children. Her sweet and gentle spirit encircled all who knew her. She was a gifted painter and homemaker.
When retirement came, Mike and Lorena moved near their daughter’ s family in Erie, Pennsylvania. Lorena was then diagnosed with Alzheimer’ s disease, which she battled for 17 years. Mike epitomized unconditional love as he cared for Lorena all those years, feeding her lunch and dinner daily. One friend, Ron, whose wife also suffered from Alzheimer’ s, wrote,“ What impressed me most about Mike was his deeply moving and passionate love for Lorena. When my wife and I visited them, he would proudly show us her paintings and tell us of her other accomplishments.” Lorena passed away in September 2016.
Mike continues to be active in his church, teaching a Sunday school class, preaching at various churches in the Erie area, and visiting residents in the nursing home where Lorena spent her final years.
photo page 18: Mike and Lorena Murphy photos page 19, top: Lorena disciples a Brazilian woman. bottom: Mike and Brazilian coworker Benvindo Laertes plan for a Saturday night coffeehouse.
19