First Presbyterian (PCA) in Schenectady, NY was one of the churches supporting the Little’s ministry in Afghanistan.

The Aquila Report has learned through local press reports and emails received late Sunday that Dr. Tom Little of Delmar, New York was one of ten members of a medical team who died last week Afghanistan. The Little’s were members of Loudonville Community Church in Loudonville, New York outside of Albany.

However, First Presbyterian (PCA) in Schenectady, NY was one of the churches supporting the Little’s ministry in Afghanistan. Teaching Elder Mike Alford, who retired as pastor at First Church eight years ago and was close to the Little family is expected it appear on the ABC-TV “Good Morning America” program on Monday morning.

PCA Teaching Elder Larry Roff, Senior Pastor at First, Schenectady was quoted in the press, explaining the connection of Tom and his family to the church; “Every time they are home in the United States, this is one of the places they visit. They’ve been here many times, and they are well known and deeply loved by this congregation.”

T. J. Addington, in his blog http://leadingfromthesandbox.blogspot.com/ commenting on the ministry of Tom and Libby Little and Tom’s death, wrote the following;

What is the gospel worth?

Ten Christian workers answered that question by giving their lives this week in Afghanistan – shot one by one by the Taliban. They made the ultimate sacrifice as they ministered to the “least of these,” the poorest of the poor in rural villages accessible only on foot.

Tom Little along with his wife and daughters had lived in Afghanistan since 1979, even staying during the years of the Russian invasion and the rule of the Taliban. Tom and his wife, Libby, raised three daughters in Afghanistan. Tom was the program director at the National Organization for Ophthalmic Rehabilitation, NOOR, in Kabul and his wife teaches at an international school in Kabul.

Each of these servants of God knew the risks of serving in war torn Afghanistan. They went where others would not go because it was too dangerous. They ministered to people that many would not minister too because they were too poor. They went places most would not go to because it is too remote and the conditions too harsh. They understood that there is nothing more important in this world than sharing the good news of the Gospel – Emmanuel – God with us with those who have never heard that there is good news.

They followed the call of God – a call higher and more sacred than any other call. They understood God’s love for the “least of these” and that in ministering to those who don’t know Jesus, they became the hands and feet and voice of a God who loves every man, woman and child on this hurting globe. In staying even during torturous years of war and Taliban rule, Tom and Libby fully identified with those they served.

There are heroes in this world. They are not those who the world usually identifies as important. They are men and women who follow God’s call on their lives no matter what the cost.

Please pray for the families of these ten men and women who paid the ultimate price. Pray also that their sacrifice would move those they ministered too to look to Christ. From the blood of martyrs comes the growth of the church. May their example and lives raise up a new generation of missionaries who will follow Christ wherever He may lead.

In a TV interview in the Albany area over the weekend, Tom’s widow, Libby, said: “He gave his life, the best years of his life, to bring medical care to Afghan people, and he’ll be buried in the Christian cemetery right there in Kabul,”

Close friends of the Little’s say there are plans underway for a small, private service in the Albany region to honor a man who spent much of his life serving others.

For details on the events in Afghanistan, see: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/08/07/world/main6751728.shtml?source=related_story&tag=related

And: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/08/08/eveningnews/main6754929.shtml