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When Immanuel Church in Almelund ran an ad looking for a music director four years ago, two applicants responded. One asked for too much money and that left Momoh Freeman (pronounced moe-moe).  According to one of the hiring committee members Norm Peterson, as soon as they heard Momoh play the piano there was no debate.  “We thank God for dropping this man in our church,” Peterson states.

The music program at Immanuel Lutheran has flourished under Freeman.  His worship repetoire mixes boogie-woogie, and blues chords with gospel riffs and religious classics.  He can improvise while accompanying a rendition of an all-out alleluja foot stomping piece,  or be subtle background to a solemn How Great Thou Art.  

A two-hour music program at Immanuel Lutheran Church last weekend displayed the variety of Immanuel’s music, plus singers and musicians from other churches who performed,  lending their support to what Freeman has brought to the area. Freeman’s immigrant friends from the metro area also sang.

Freeman came to Minnesota as a youngster by way of a refugee camp in Ghana, where his family fled war torn Liberia.  Freeman first heard piano in a church when he was 9-years-old and he walked miles to where he could practice on one as a child. He attended high school in the Twin Cities and an adult before he began regular lessons. Now living in North Branch.  Freeman was working for a church in Chaska, but wanted a position close-by.  

Immanuel Lutheran congregation needed him when he needed them.

Realizing the Trump administration toughened the process surrounding immigrantion and achieving citizenship wasn’t ever going to become any easier  Freeman decided he would feel most secure  becoming a U.S. citizen.  

The church community is behind him 100 percent, and the musical service, where Peterson was the M.C. January 13,  was put together to defray Momoh’s legal costs.   

Marla Amborn, Immanuel Pastor, explained the church congregation is Momoh’s community now and church-goers were happy to be able to help.  Some of the performers spoke getting to know Freeman from gigs at area bars.  One joked that the nice part about performing in church is that the audience remembers the songs you did the next day.

Freeman also helps with a community theatre in the metro, and is employed in a North Branch group home for special needs adults. He feels at home in this area because his home village was an agricultural community in the countryside.  

Remarking on the patriotic theme of the fundraising service-- Norm Peterson shared that Freeman’s first Fourth of July here, “...he told me he ducked for cover” when the fireworks sounded like weapons of warfare Momoh  hid from as a child.

Immanuel Church continues to accept donations for the citizenship journey ahead.  To contribute any amount-- mail checks made out to Immanuel Lutheran Church, with a notation on the lower subject line to Momoh Citizenship.  

The address is 37515 Park Trail, Center City,  MN 55012.
 





 

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