Have you ever heard of Thomas Coke? He was a Methodist minister who died at sea. The date was May 3, 1814. Bishop Coke was the right-hand man of Rev. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church.
He was on his way to Ceylon, now called Sri Lanka, to establish Methodist mission work. The other missionaries on the trip (James Lynch, George Erskine, Benjamin Clough, William Ault and Thomas Squane) made it to Galle Harbor. But Thomas Coke died at sea during the journey. He is known today as the “Father of Methodist Missions.” A large plaque in the sanctuary of the Dutch Reformed Church in Galle, Sri Lanka, honors his memory and dedication.
I find it a little humorous that John Wesley gave him a nickname, “The Flea,” because he was always hopping around on his missions. He had a burning zeal in his heart to share the good news of a merciful Savior.
I sure want to have some of that same zeal for the cause of Christ. May God help all believers to have faith and commitment like The Flea.
Let’s hear again the words of Jesus, “Go, then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples.” (Matthew 28:19) Let’s be “a flea” for the cause of Christ.