The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a place I have had the privilege to visit a number of times.
It is a huge country, located right in the center of Africa. It is so huge that much of it is not linked by road. Some have told me that the jungle which separates large sections of the country, has resulted in the complete loss of many planes (the only method of passing over), it is that vast. At any given time, wars could be going on in one part, and leave the other parts with life going on as usual. It is French speaking, though many young people are learning English. And it has a troubled history, with dictatorship and oppression. Today, there is freedom of religion, and Christianity is widely accepted. There is a lot of Pentecostalism and the "money gospel". But people have rarely heard of the grace message or the finished work.
Greater Grace has established churches in 3 parts:
It is not what you might call comfortable mission field.
It has a lot of suffering, and can even be quite chaotic at times.
But the people are so sweet and when you witness there, albeit through a translator, listen and respond to the gospel in such a precious way. It is not uncommon to attract as a foreigner, large crowds of listeners.
Pray also for Lubumbashi as they are saving for a small piece of land where they can establish their church. They currently have a temporary structure on land which is not owned by the church.
It is a huge country, located right in the center of Africa. It is so huge that much of it is not linked by road. Some have told me that the jungle which separates large sections of the country, has resulted in the complete loss of many planes (the only method of passing over), it is that vast. At any given time, wars could be going on in one part, and leave the other parts with life going on as usual. It is French speaking, though many young people are learning English. And it has a troubled history, with dictatorship and oppression. Today, there is freedom of religion, and Christianity is widely accepted. There is a lot of Pentecostalism and the "money gospel". But people have rarely heard of the grace message or the finished work.
Greater Grace has established churches in 3 parts:
- Kinshasa (the capital in the north west), led by a GG Uganda trained pastor. The capital has also had some investment from GG Pastors in Paris.
- Goma (in the east), again, reached by GG in Uganda (which is also in the East of Africa)
- Lubumbashi (the Southern capital on the border of Zambia, near Kitwe), led by a Zambia trained Congolese, Pastor Emile. He was a huge blessing and help in the beginning of the church plant in Kitwe. After leaving his country, meeting the ministry in Zambia, getting trained and helping us plant a church in the 2nd city, he got the callwfrom God to go back to his country, where he is leading a beautiful, finished work, Congolese church and Bible college today.
It is not what you might call comfortable mission field.
It has a lot of suffering, and can even be quite chaotic at times.
But the people are so sweet and when you witness there, albeit through a translator, listen and respond to the gospel in such a precious way. It is not uncommon to attract as a foreigner, large crowds of listeners.
Pray also for Lubumbashi as they are saving for a small piece of land where they can establish their church. They currently have a temporary structure on land which is not owned by the church.