The
Dedication

Unveiling the Word, One Verse at a Time

For centuries, faithful men have labored to preserve and proclaim the truth of Scripture. My ancestor, Jacques (Jacob) Moutoux, was one of them—a devoted theologian and pastor who stood firm in his faith and safeguarded God’s Word for future generations.

This work continues today. Through careful translation of the Greek and Hebrew Scriptures into English, this blog exists to equip pastors, teachers, and all who seek a deeper understanding of God’s Word.

Who Was Jacques Moutoux?

Jacques (Jacob) Moutoux was a Waldensian and French Huguenot who lived at the end of the Protestant Reformation (1655-1738).

Jacob was born to Melchior Moutoux (1623-1679) and Mariie Laneetime in 1655. Jacob married Eva Elisabeth Moutoux (born Diefenbacher) in 1770, They had 8 children.

Jacob studied philosophy and theology in Geneva in 1676 and the school’s rector indicates they he received high honors. In 1685 he founded the French Reformed Congregation in Chur, Switzerland.

What Was He Know For?

In 1689 he took part in the “Glorious Return”[1] from Geneva back to the valleys in France from which he came. In Sibaud, Italy, there is a monument today where he preached a sermon about Luke 16:16. A carved altar picture in Otisheim-Schdneberg, Germany, depicts this scene. Various records indicate that he was a man of high esteem and character.

In 1698 the Waldenses who refused to convert back to the Catholic Church had to leave their home in France again. They were force out my Louis XIV, who was often brutal to the French protestants. They escaped to Switzerland. In 1699 the Landgraf of Hessen, Damstadt in Germany provided shelter for this group. Jacob Moutoux led 5,000 protestant refugees to Germany to what is today called Oben-Raqmstadt, near Frankfort, Germany.

Continuing His Legacy

I, Rev. Dr. Steven Merrill Moutoux, am a direct descendant of Jacob’s eldest son, Jean Jacques. My great ancestor, Louis Ernest Moutoux (1953-1906) was born in Lingebach, Germany. He traveled to the United States in 1869. He settled in Hinkley Township in Medina County, Ohio, and worked a farm, which today is a part of the greater park system of Cleveland. His son, Merrill Henry Moutoux (1884-1942) married Ethel L. Christian and worked his father’s farm until his death and then moved to West Salem, Ohio. His son, Merrill Lester Moutoux, my father, was at Fort Hood in 1942 with the 1st Calvary Division, when his father passed away. As the oldest son, he was given 6 months leave. The battalion that he trained with went to Guadel Canal and only one man survived the war from that group. My gransfather’s death saved my Dad’s life. My father landed on 8 different beaches during WWII in the Pacific War from Australia, New Guinai, Leyte, Luzon, and finally Japan. He served as an MP in Japan until November, 1945, before he was honorably discharged.

By the time I was born in 1954, my family had lost all connection with their history and my parents weren’t even saved. The Lord regenerated me at the age of 16 in 1971 and called me to be a pastor. I believe that my great ancestors prayed for future Moutoux to be men of faith and pastors the way Jacob and many other Moutouxs were in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Lord regenerated me and called me as an answer to their prayers.
In 1999, we were contacted by the Moutouxs in Germany and invited to the 300th parade celebrating the life of Jacob Moutoux. They have held a parade in his honor for the past 326 years. It is an honor to be associated with the Moutouxs and what they did to carry on the Protestant Reformation in the 17th and 18th centuries.

May God be praised!

[1] Visconti, Jr, Joseph. The Waldensian Way to God. Xulon Press. 2003. p. 441

[1] Visconti, Jr, Joseph. The Waldensian Way to God. Xulon Press. 2003. pp. 439-479.