by Gerald Benner
EDITOR’S NOTE: Paul Long, 86, of Ambler, PA transitioned to his new home in heaven on Jan.14, 2025 at Souderton Mennonite Homes. Read his obituary. A viewing will be held on Sunday, January 26, from 1-3:30 pm at Souderton Mennonite Homes, 207 W. Summit Street, Souderton, PA 18964, followed by a funeral service at 3:30 pm. A private burial will take place at Salford Mennonite Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Liberty Ministries, P.O. Box 87, Schwenksville, PA 19473.
Paul Long will be remembered at Ambler (PA) Mennonite (AMC) as a servant leader. While he never held an official office in our congregation, his love for Jesus served as a leader’s example for us to follow and his love for others showed the servant mind of Christ.
Paul was devoted to family, community, and church. In addition to their family of four boys, Paul and Esther’s home was always open to anyone who needed a place to stay. When a family lost their house in a fire, they stayed at the Longs’ home for weeks until they could recover. Many others found a home there, whether for days or several years.
Paul and Esther were well-known in the Ambler community as people who cared deeply for others. Whether it was a listening ear, a hot meal, transportation, or spiritual counsel, Paul was there to help. Paul made so many friends that if you asked around in Ambler the name of the pastor at AMC, many would have said Paul Long.
Paul and Esther moved to Ambler as sincere young mission workers in the 1950s. As newlyweds, their apartment functioned as a house church for seven years before the congregation moved to a new building on the corner of Mount Pleasant and North Spring Garden Street in 1962, where it is located today.
Paul was very active in church life – preaching, worship leader, song leader, youth leader, Vacation Bible School superintendent, Christmas caroling organizer, Bible studies, and always a friend to those in need. After the death of his wife, Paul continued to attend AMC, sharing his faith and friendship, and allowing the congregation to care for him as he had cared for so many others during his lifetime.
One of Paul’s passions was for those incarcerated in prison. He took seriously Christ’s words, “I was in prison, and you visited me.” (Matt. 25:36) He was a licensed Prison Chaplain under the Conference-Related Ministry Liberty Ministries (Schwenksville, PA) and went into prisons to conduct Bible studies, preach, and counsel inmates. Paul cared for hundreds of men who had been imprisoned, and many came to Christ through him. Friendships made during these visits existed to the end of Paul’s life.
Ambler Mennonite would not be what it is today were it not for the quiet leadership of Paul for over 65 years, both in church life and in the community. “Well done, Paul, good and faithful servant of God.” (Matt. 25:23)
Gerald Benner
Gerald Benner is part of the Ambler (PA) Mennonite Ministry Team, is a retired faculty member of Dock Mennonite Academy, and is a lifelong friend of the Long and Cassel families.
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.