Congo News

Fresno in August 2011

CONGO CRAZY FOR JESUS in CLOSING THE 3 GAPS

“… You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”    (Acts 1:8)

From July 9 to August 9, I spent time with two American teams in Congo. The first team of 5 people was from First Baptist Church in Clovis, and the second of 10 people was from New Beginnings Church in Fresno. Both teams were led by their local church pastor. Mutual empowerment summarizes their ministries. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Congolese and American teams worked side by side in Kinshasa to close the three following gaps: spiritual, ignorance, and poverty.
Closing the spiritual gap: Pastor Ken “Mukambi” Hendrix from Clovis taught pastoral theology from 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus to 30 local pastors and leaders, while pastor Angulus “Nganga Nzambi” Wilson trained 80 pastors and leaders in God’s mission. As a result, a school of evangelism has been created and will open its doors on Oct. 1 to equip Congolese evangelists. Their task will be to reach out to young adults living in five areas: the mountains, the plateau, the rain forest, along the rivers and mega cities. With its 8 million people, Kinshasa is challenged by more than 30.000 youth living on the streets.  Most of them are accused of witchcraft.  The empowerment of the Spirit is enabling Congolese Christians to meet spiritual challenges with the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Lydie, former graduate, lives in Kinshasa – Kitambo. Her passion is witnessing to young adults. Alongside her team, Lydie practiced hospitality and shared the word of God with the little ones.
Isn't it amazing to see the work of the Holy Spirit on the ground? On my way to Kikwit, I met a young man who sat side-by-side with me on the bus. His name is Manionga and he’s a student at Centre Universitaire de Missiologie  Missiological University Center. He was on his way to reach out to the young adults of Gungu. Their vision is to lead young Congolese of the Plateau to Christ.  Tatiana is a graduate teaching Christian peace culture to those in their 20’s and below.  She is a fourth generation Christian.  Timothy Djimbo, her great grand-father, was the first Mennonite Brethren Congolese Pastor. For more than 50 years, God used him to preach the Gospel among unreached peoples in Congo. He went home in glory in the 70’s. It is awesome to see God’s faithfulness…!  Like her great grand-father, Tatiana loves Jesus Christ. She is committed to Christ and devotes her time in closing the spiritual gap between unreached peoples and Christ. While her great grand-father ministered locally, Tatiana fallows Christ globally.

Closing the gap of ignorance:  Both teams were used to fight linguistic and biblical ignorance.  New Beginnings Church taught the story of Jesus Christ through vacation bible school, whereas First Baptist Church taught English. Kevin and his friends are challenged by words. They are mute and deaf. Through American sign language, they learned English.  What a priceless gift in the name of Jesus Christ.

Closing the gap of poverty: Skills to create jobs were passed and arrangements are being made to generate start ups that empower families to sustain each other financially.

Baptism in the River Congo reminded us that radical obedience to Christ is the only hope for Congo.

In Christ’s Fellowship,
Nzash