flag of the Congo
The Republic of Congo is in central Africa and the equator runs through the northern part of the country. I am located on the coastal area. At this time of year, the climate is exactly the opposite of here–now it is getting hot there. We live in Pointe Noire, Congo. Pointe Noire is the economic capital of Congo because of the oil industry. Brazzaville is the capital of the Congo. The city life is made up of merchant shopping in the marketplace. Village life is quite different from city living. There is still a lot of agriculture that takes place, including searches for firewood and harvesting of fruits and food. I have preached and taught there to influence others into possible entering into the ministry. I work at the bible school, the Center for Christian Studies, and there is presently construction to build onto the existing building. My wife, Carma, has been assisting with the women and children’s ministry, which has really taken off. There has been an ongoing assimilation of the local culture. We are involved in church planting, as well. Thanks to all of you for your support of the Christian & Missionary Alliance.
God is truly good! Often I read the Great Commission:
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
People often ask me how I came about being a missionary, and my answer is that I was likely the least person to actually be involved with missions. I was brought up in an environment where I was not even attending church. I was raised up in an environment where my family was involved with a bar and I was drinking at an early age. It got to the point where I was dependent upon alcohol, and that was the way that I lived.
One day, I met a man named John, who befriended me and encouraged me to go to bible study or to softball games. I learned from my experiences that John was living a life that was different from my own, and after a short time I recognized that I needed Jesus Christ in my life. Over time, John asked me if I was reading the bible, and I told him no. He said that I need to read the bible each day. As I started reading, I realized that God’s Word would change me and change my perspective on life. I was a person who was very hard of heart, and I had to confess my sin. It was when I allowed God to work in my life, I began to see God working in my life where people were attracted to the student ministry where I went to college.
Upon graduation, I had some plans to go to work, but God had other plans. I ran into a missionary. The missionary told me that, if I was willing, God can use you in these foreign lands. As I prayed over this, I was very uncertain about what I was to do or where I was to go, but over time, He showed me, step by step, what I was to do.
Out of the first hundred people who were sent to the Congo by the C&MA, only 17 stayed. In addition, there were many people who had lost their lives. I believe in my heart that God wanted me to go to the Congo and stay there. Today there are 4 million people living there, and there are many who are willing to learn about Jesus. Our role is to not just go and teach about Jesus, but also to make disciples. Jesus says, “Follow me,” and the disciple says yes, because he has learned to love Jesus Christ. Jesus is the provider and the One with all power.
There is reason to be concerned about ministry in the Congo. There are many people from the darkness that create a fear of evil that is in our midst. There are people who work for the interior ministry that have caused others who are proclaiming the gospel to “disappear” or “have an accident” (for example, a mishap with a crocodile). I have to remain in prayer that God would be my protection in all things.
In the book of Acts, Paul went to Corinth and to Ephesus to teach about Jesus Christ. In order for the C&MA to send out workers, there workers themselves must continue to seek God in prayer as to how He will use them. We don’t know how God will use us, but it is important that we are willing to be used by Him. You’re salt and light, and people see the light in you. We need to be willing to go where he tells you to go, and be willing to let His light flow through you.
The Spirit helps us to discern the voice of God and overcome all of the other voices that can distract us and keep us from being obedient to him.
God can use you in a mighty way. He can use you to touch the world. It may be in a small way, but you’re already touching the world with your involvement in the Christian & Missionary Alliance. Your participation in the missions helps to send over 700 people throughout the world to witness for Jesus Christ. But even with this, we need to remember to be faithful in our own church and in our neighborhoods in ways to be obedient to Him.
God wants to use us if we are willing. He has provided the means for me to be able to support the mission in the Congo. He wants us to be His disciples who are faithful to Him and following Him in order that others can see our testimony and bring them near to Him.
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