By James
Henderson
By James
Henderson
Since James Henderson's October visit to the Congo, the cease-fire has not been honored. Sporadic fighting is taking place in many parts of the country. Jacques Muzalia, our representative in Goma, warned Kimani Ndungu, East African area pastor, not to make his planned late November visit to our groups there because of increasing hostilities between ethnic groups.
KINSHASA, Congo--What was I to expect? No visiting minister from our fellowship had been to the Congo (formerly Zaire) for almost two years, partly because of the wars, and partly because of our budget limitations. Would we still have churches there? What would be the state of the members?
What I found in the Congo was most encouraging. Miraculously, we have no reports of any of our members or contacts being wounded or killed.
We have 10 congregations of the Congolese WCG that promote the gospel in face of both physical and spiritual warfare. They rely on God to use them whenever the Holy Spirit gives them opportunities.
Because of economic constraints there has been no external evangelism. Instead the concentration over the past year has been on congregational evangelism through house churches. Attendance has increased by 20 percent to 500. Amazingly, despite the hardships and the poverty, they are financially in the black, which shows how much member goodwill there is in this nation where few earn more than $5 a month.
Our churches in the Congo are like beacons of light shining in the darkness of evil.
They reach out to a struggling and confused country. For example, our congregation in the fishing community of Muanda, on the banks of the Congo River, has begun an educational project with 95 pupils. The aim is to take the young children off the streets and begin to teach them about Jesus and give them basic teaching and Christian values.
The churches are pastored by three nonsalaried ministers--Raphael Benza Tsuka, Benoit Mpinda Ndayi and Paul Mvita Kalume. The immediate goal is to develop more leaders, especially to ordain a minister in Katanga province, which is more than 2,000 kilometers from the capital city, Kinshasa.
1. That God would bless the land with peace and safety.
2. That they would have more contact with other WCG congregations--they feel isolated.
3. That leaders would multiply.
4. That God would use them mightily to promote the gospel.
The Congolese brethren pray for you, and rejoice in being part of a vibrant international fellowship.
Worldwide Church of God youths in Congo
CONGO ELDERS--Ministers from left: Benoit
Mpinda Ndayi, Raphael Benza Tsuka and Paul Mvita Kalume.
KINSHASA LEADERS--Photos by James Henderson
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2000