A few weeks ago, Liberia woke up to heartbreaking news, a devastating fire had consumed the home of gospel singer Paul K. Harding, popularly known as ‘Strong God Pekin.’ The man whose voice has lifted so many in worship was suddenly left with nothing. And to make matters worse, it happened while he was thousands of miles away in East Africa, ministering on a musical tour. Imagine being away, living your purpose, only to receive a gut-wrenching call that your home had turned to ashes.
The fire showed no mercy. Everything, his belongings, his $16,000 worth of musical equipment, every single valuable he owned, was gone in an instant. And just like that, Paul was homeless. Talk about a nightmare!
But if there’s one thing about the Liberian gospel music community, it’s that they don’t let their own suffer alone. As soon as word got out, messages of support poured in, and people started mobilizing to help. A fundraising concert was quickly organized, with hopes of raising enough to help him get back on his feet. However, let’s be real, not every good effort hits its financial target. While the event did generate some funds, there was a lot of talk that it didn’t quite meet expectations. In other words, the generosity didn’t exactly set the world on fire (pun absolutely intended).
Through it all, Paul remained incredibly strong. In fact, some of his close friends worried that he was holding too much inside. After all, this was a man who had built his life around inspiring others, how could he now admit that he needed encouragement himself? But at Pastor Shadrick Cassel’s Lifting Crowns concert, Paul finally opened up, sharing a powerful testimony that left many in awe.
“I watched my house burn down on a video call,” Paul revealed, his voice filled with emotion. “And in that moment, God reminded me of the story of Job.”
He reflected on how Job, despite losing everything, remained steadfast in faith. Then, he pointed out something chilling: the fire started at midnight, a time when he could have been asleep inside. “But God preserved me,” he declared, shifting the focus from his loss to his life. That perspective alone spoke volumes.
But here’s where the story takes an unexpected turn. Instead of just surviving, Paul found himself walking into a major blessing. Upon returning to Liberia, he received a call from none other than former President George Weah. The message? Come pick up the keys to a VIP residence, his new home, offered to him for as long as he needed. Just like that, the man who lost everything was given something even greater than what he had before. Talk about divine compensation!
Paul now lives in a home far more valuable than his previous one, a real-life testament that God truly works in mysterious ways. What seemed like a tragedy has transformed into a testimony, reminding believers that sometimes, when life burns things down, it’s only making space for something better.
Strong God Pekin isn’t just singing about God’s strength anymore, he’s living proof of it. And if that’s not a reason to keep the faith, I don’t know what is!
