On March 30, 1999, Brother Otto Welker and his wife, Sister Martha Welker, of Mühlacker, Germany, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. This is a milestone reached by few.
At a small gathering of family, friends, and fellow believers that day, Brother Larry Watts gave tribute to Brother Welker and his wife, thanking them for their partnership as Brother Welker served in foreign missions and in the training of missionaries. He said, “Just how many students you have taught, how many men you have ordained, how many people you have baptized, how many churches you have helped establish, or how many countries you have visited … I have not tried to count. As the apostle Paul, you worked without keeping record of such things, as he said in 1 Corinthians 1:16: ‘I don’t know how many I baptized.’ Besides, the Bible tells us that everything is written in a book in heaven.
“Like Paul, you not only spent years teaching (at the missionary school in Germany), but you also traveled to many places and lectured on the principles of the kingdom of heaven. It has been interesting for me to be one of those who has followed you into some of those places. Whether it was Asia, Africa, or the Americas, you left a good example. I’m sure you would say that this is only by the help and grace of God. You worked with patience and kindness. Again, I’m sure you would say, as did the apostle Paul, ‘Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.’ 1 Corinthians 11:1. Everywhere I have been that you have been before me, people have mentioned your visits: In Congo (then Zaire), Kenya, Tanzania, India, Sri Lanka, Mexico, and South America. In every place, you are remembered with fondness. I remember a few of your visits to the United States in my younger years. At that time, I never thought I would be following you. But what I saw in you was a man of principle. And wherever you have been, you are remembered as a man who did not follow policy as much as the way of the Prince of Peace.
“Wherever I have met your students (and that is almost everywhere), they remember the lessons you taught. One of the first things was personal responsibility. More than one student has mentioned Psalm 15.…
“With the Bible as their textbook, the students learned from its sacred pages as well as from secular history that it is God who sets up kings and removes them, and that ‘it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment.’ Hebrews 9:27.
“There was a white glove day, when you inspected their rooms with white gloves on. They remember the dust you found on top of their doors and under their beds. They learned that if we are to serve God rightly–neatly and orderly– we must examine ourselves in the light of His word.
“From the prophecies, especially from the books of Daniel and Revelation, they learned the law of cause and effect. With the gospel of God’s great love (or grace) as the key to understanding His eternal plan, the students learned how to share the deep things of the Bible with their neighbors and friends in simple and life-changing ways.
“Like Jesus, you taught the students that the law of God cannot be broken without violating one of the two great principles–love to God and love to man.…
“True service means sacrifice, not only of tithes and offerings, but of self. Without a cross, there is no crown.…
“Yes, you left all. And yet your wife is still here with you. You left all and many times faced dangers for the cause of Jesus, but God’s grace has been sufficient.…
“In the name of the cause which you have served and still serve with all the strength and wisdom of years of experience, Thank you. Thank you for the years of service, thank you for the wisdom and patience; but most of all, thank you for the example. May the precious ointment of it flow many more years!”
The brethren and staff of the General Conference wish Brother and Sister Welker God’s richest blessings in good health, much joy, and spiritual fulfillment, both now and in eternity!
