In the last Connections issue, a report was given of a Rwanda congregation where miraculous reconciliation had taken place. After leaving Rwanda I had the privilege of traveling to the Democratic Republic of Congo with Bishop Sherman Allen, our General Presbyter of Africa, and Bishop David Bryan, our Global Outreach Director. Many know that the Congo has been an amazing harvest field for us and everyone that has come close to this work realize we are experiencing a ‘God thing’ far beyond our ability to explain. Basically our ministry has exploded in this nation from 12,000 members about ten years ago to hundreds of thousands today, and the surge does not show signs of ending.
In the last Connections issue, a report was given of a Rwanda congregation where miraculous reconciliation had taken place. After leaving Rwanda I had the privilege of traveling to the Democratic Republic of Congo with Bishop Sherman Allen, our General Presbyter of Africa, and Bishop David Bryan, our Global Outreach Director. Many know that the Congo has been an amazing harvest field for us and everyone that has come close to this work realize we are experiencing a ‘God thing’ far beyond our ability to explain. Basically our ministry has exploded in this nation from 12,000 members about ten years ago to hundreds of thousands today, and the surge does not show signs of ending.
Some may have seen the small video on the Congo at the Assembly which described the environment in the nation; conflict between tribal factions and government troops over gold, oil and diamonds, forced labor of the powerless, killing and rape as soldiers from all sides plunder common people, refugees fleeing each new eruption of conflict, and non-existent health care so that children suffer needlessly. This video may be viewed by visiting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8HiMyt_-Ak . Under these conditions the hunger for Christ has risen to levels we could not imagine and our churches are proclaiming His salvation under trees and tarps across the land.
So as we visited Kinshasa the capital we had a chance to attend a mini-convention of our leadership in the nation. It was the first time for all of us to see that many provincial leaders gathered in one place, as travel is difficult with public roads close to non-existent and poverty so great. We literally joined Bishop Natambwe Beya in appointing over one hundred leaders for the nation. They were thrilled to be recognized by leaders beyond the nation and for us it was wonderful to see that even though Congo has been overrun with growth there is a viable national leadership structure in place that we can fortify and support. Obviously so much is needed, but it was thrilling to see these leaders in person and to observe the national work.
We also had one day to teach and train with these crucial ministers. What a privilege. We realized that we were possibly teaching the most significant training sessions we had ever taught in our lives. Surely we had never spoken to a group that would administer a harvest of up to one half a million souls before. That was mind boggling to consider as we tried to pour out all that we could in that day. We were also consoled that the CBL team, led by Dr. Ortiz, are going to be going into Congo in the Spring for two intensive training sessions in both Kinshasa and another center of ministry.
As you read this news of Congo please join me in a new prayer priority. Pray with Bishops Sherman Allen, David Bryan, and myself on a daily basis that God will help strengthen this national ministry for the unbelievable challenge He has placed before them. Our prayers will be a partnership with them for reaching and discipling hundreds of thousands of souls God is bringing to their door step right now. Thank you for uniting with this ‘God thing’ in Congo.
Photos: Top, Bishop Randall E. Howard; Middle, Enthusiastic greetings at Congo mini-convention; Bottom, Bishop Beya
