I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psalm 37:25 KJV). If anyone has seen the faithfulness of God for the people He loves, it is the Christian centarian. The 2000 US Census identified 72,000 people who had reached the golden age of 100. Believe it or not, in America four out of five women are centarians. I guess that means women eat more vegetables and men eat more junk food! In 2070 (if I’m around!), I’ll have the privilege of celebrating my 100 year birthday. Wilma Kimport, one of our most beloved church family members, will be 100 years old on Sunday, May 4.
Centarians are living and walking treasures God gives us to show His faithful love to the next generation. The Psalmist wrote, “Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to everyone that is to come” (Psalm 71:18 KJV). Wilma lived through the 1918 flu epidemic; the dust bowl and Great Depression of the 1940s, endured World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, and both Iraqi campaigns. She listened to the radio when there was no television. She endured summers without air conditioning and winters by log fires. She witnessed the first moon landing in 1969.
Wilma is one of the sweetest Christian ladies you will ever meet. She gave her life to Christ at the age of 8 in Sheridan, Arkansas. Her folks were Methodists and ran a restaurant. The church was holding a revival with services in the mornings and evenings! One day she asked her mother if she could go to revival service, and her mother gave her permission to go. That morning she surrendered her life to Christ!
I asked Wilma what encouragement she would give to people who are lifelong learners of Jesus. She said, “Live your faith. Be true to your church. You don’t have to be in the church in order to talk to people about salvation.” Wilma served the Lord in the Women’s Missionary Union for years. She said that they would plan their meetings in the evenings so that families would be home and they could visit with them about Christ.
Throughout her life, Wilma has experienced much hardship, but the Lord has always been faithful. She said, “My mother died in my arms; my dad died while at my mother’s sickbed side; my husband died and we were not fortunate enough to have children. So you have to be strong in the Lord to face the tragedies of life!” Through all of these difficulties, she said, God proved to be faithful. God blessed her with a wonderful church family she dearly loves. God gave her so many dear friends, like Jewell Raney, and our precious brother who has passed, Don Raney, who became like family for Wilma.
This Sunday afternoon, May 4, there will be a come and go fellowship at Jewell Raney’s to celebrate Wilma’s birthday. Please, look at the back page of your Messenger for details and your invitation to Wilma’s Party.

Category : Tommy Talk