My dear friend and mentor, Arne Molbach, died on February 1, 2010. He is now in glory with Jesus. The following is a brief eulogy I wrote to honor this great man of God and consistent champion of life. - Doug
We met on the sidewalk. It was late autumn, 1995. I was in my first semester of seminary and terrified. That’s because the sidewalk we met on was outside a Planned Parenthood abortuary in the Central West End, and it was my first time there to pray on behalf of the unborn. But it was not Arne’s first time. He was already a veteran to defending the unborn with grace and truth by then. I remember that day as God began my friendship with this tall Norwegian wearing a tan winter-proof jumpsuit standing on the frigid sidewalk for the sake of others.
Time whizzed by and in 1999 I found myself on staff at Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church where Arne was an elder. During that season our friendship grew. I remember many meetings where we talked about our lives, ministry, the gospel, and standing for those who had no voice. I remember his resolve and encouragement as I led Twin Oaks’ Life Team meetings in his house. And all this time too, as on the first day we met, I would see him regularly on the sidewalk praying.
Around 2004, God grew our friendship into something much richer. Though I had stepped away from ministry at Twin Oaks for a time, Arne and I continued to meet about twice a month for breakfast at Uncle Bill’s in Manchester. During those times, we began talking much more personally about our lives, the beauty of the gospel, and about God as our Abba; our intimate, affectionate, heavenly Father. Those times over a steaming “4-D” (2 eggs, 2 bacon, 2 sausage, 2 pancakes – though Arne would get all bacon and often order me hash browns!) were wonderful times of sweet Christian fellowship.
In January, 2008, God called me to launch Churches for Life, a ministry designed to nourish churches as gospel-driven champions of life. As I fearfully took this step, Arne stood beside me in prayer, encouragement, and love. He and Pat were among my very first financial supporters. Much of what Churches for Life is today bears his love and mentoring hand. I miss him terribly, even though we will meet again in the presence of our Abba in glory. In the mean time, he will live on as I continue doing what he taught me to do – to love God and others, especially the defenseless.
Rev. Douglas W. Merkey
President, Churches for Life