A virtual memorial service of late Pastor Parmenas Nicodemo Shirima was held by IMS on July 12, 2021, at 8 am (EDT), as Secretarial Department at IMS announced earlier via e-mail, Facebook and WhatsApp. The memorial service was lead by Pastor Douglas Francis, General Conference Secretary, and Pastor Elijah Zwane, African Division Vice President. A maxim states that a man is as great as his dreams are. Pastor Sevith Moyo, African Division Secretary, mentioned the most actual dream Pastor Parmenas N. Shirima had: a Christian IMS university that should be established in Africa. Pastor Pablo Hunger, General Conference Missionary Department and North American & Caribbean Division, emphasized another Pastor Shirima’s dream: that his children might serve the Lord as well. Pastor Jose Vicente Giner, Youth Department Leader at IMS, remembered that the death of Pastor Shirima should not be considered as something negative, as this was the will of God. The mercy of this God’s decision is explained in Lord’s word in Isaiah 57:1.

Pastor Anton Salavyov, Oceania Division Leader, and Pastor Idel Suarez, Past General Conference President, told that Pastor Shirima who was an excellent missionary and faithful servant of God, was a guest in their homes as well. Pastor Joel Barnedo, GC Canvassing Department Leader, mentioned that he had the honor to be guest in Pastor Shirima’s home. Pastor Bright Fue, co-worker and friend of Pastor Shirima, mentioned, despite his suffering from Covid 19, that today students of Pastor Shirima served the Lord, such as Pastor Diallo Issa. Sister Margie Holmstroem Seely, Director of the Educational Department, emphasized the encouraging influence of Pastor Shirima as pillar of the church. Pastor Tzvetan Petkov, General Conference President, told some of his missionary experiences with God made together with Pastor Shirima, a great man of faith and a brother through whom God did many miracles. The memorial service finished with a prayer of Pastor Tzvetan Petkov and with the wonderful song “Precious” (according to Psalms 116:15) composed, arranged and performed by Sister Karola Kraenzmer.

The memorial service could be watched at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVHae02oLHo.

The video contains as well a Skype-link of the event with translation of Sister Magaly Reto for Spanish speaking brethren.

Pastor Parmenas Nicodemo Shirima in prayer in the pulpit just before the sermon;
a photo from the personal archive of Pastor Shirima on Facebook.

Written by Margarit Zhekov