Letter from Mike: Congo – April 2021
“‘Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,’ he wrote, ‘that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.’ You know the height from which He stooped, the depth of humiliation to which He descended. Having once entered upon the path of self-denial and sacrifice, he turned not aside until He had given His life.” Acts of the Apostles, 332.
When we think of the rich countries in the world, we may think of Switzerland, Qatar or Luxemburg, but not usually the Democratic Republic of Congo. In terms of natural resources, however, the DRC is one of the richest countries in the world. With over $24 trillion in natural resources, it is ranked among the top ten wealthiest nations. At the same time, it’s the poorest nation on Earth. Corruption, war and greed have kept this rich country in poverty, with the majority of its inhabitants living on about a dollar a day.
Congo’s future does not appear bright, but you can bring hope to its inhabitants! In the last six years, under the guidance of Pastor Ongasa of Train Them 2 Fish, the Bible workers you help sponsor have planted at least 77 churches in this forsaken corner of the world. How we long to see many more congregations take root! You and I can’t solve the national turmoil, but we can show this abandoned people how to have a home beyond this world. We can share the gospel of Jesus Christ—the greatest treasure anyone could impart!
Since 2015, over 500 locals have been trained as Bible workers, lay pastors and medical missionaries to work for souls and carry forward the message. Sadly, due to a lack of funds, we have been able to hire only 70 of these workers. While we are grateful for the 70, we are painfully aware of the masses in Congo who have never heard the Three Angels’ Messages.
Jean Baptiste Masuna is an energetic Bible worker who, after being trained, was placed in the field to establish a church. Looking around him, he saw a mission field broader than his assigned area, and he expanded his vision to include villages up to thirty miles from his home. Walking every day to a minister in different communities, he has seen God work in incredible ways. In the past few years, he has established four churches and baptized over 500 people, some them village chiefs. Jean would like to establish a church school for the young people to learn of Jesus and be educated in the ways of the Lord.
Many more Bible workers have been trained who for now must still toil simply to put food on the table. You can help us hire these workers to plant new congregations in the spiritually dark places of the DRC. For $90 a month, you can put a Bible worker in the field who will not have to worry about the basic necessities of life, but can focus on the work of winning souls to Christ. Just mark your gifts “Congo workers.”
May many come to know the Man of poverty who can make them rich in faith! Pray for the work in Congo and for the workers as they preach the last warning message.
Yours in proclaiming Christ’s coming!
