God transforms a neighborhood drunk into a church leader.

As the evangelistic meetings continued, Ebenezer’s father became a familiar face. He laughed with the children, clapped during songs, and helped Ebenezer say her Bible verse each night.

On the final Sabbath of the campaign, the children’s teacher asked, “Who among you wants to keep coming to the Seventh-day Adventist Church?” Ebenezer’s hand shot up.

On baptism day, 28 people were baptized at Dreve de Selembao. A new church was planted there, and Pastor Ongasa’s wife volunteered to lead the children’s Sabbath School for six months while mentoring other women to continue the work.

Ebenezer never missed a Sabbath. Every week, she begged her father, “Take me to church, Papa!” While she attended children’s programs, her father was invited to join the adult Bible study group.

Over time, people began to notice something unusual: The neighborhood drunk was now sitting in church every Sabbath.

Some mocked him. “Eh, Mr. Conseiller’s going to church now?” one man laughed. “He must be there for the free food.” Others whispered, “If that man ever stops drinking, then I’ll believe their God is real.”

One day, the Bible worker visited the family and asked Ebenezer’s mother if she’d consider studying the Bible too.

She folded her arms. “I don’t need Bible study. I don’t need church,” she said firmly. “But if your God can do one thing—just one—I’ll believe.”

The Bible worker leaned forward. “What would that be?”

“I want my husband to stop drinking. Not for just a day or two. I’ve prayed with many pastors, tried everything—but he only gets worse. If he gives up his drinking for a whole week, I’ll know your God is different. That will be my sermon.”

The Bible worker paused. “What a challenge, Lord,” he whispered. Then turning to her, he said, “Let’s take this to God together.”

Three months later, the woman knocked at the Bible worker’s door. “It’s a miracle!” she announced. “He’s not drinking. He doesn’t even go out much anymore.”

A year later, Mr. Conseiller was completely alcohol-free. That same year, both he and his wife were baptized and became active members of the church.

Today, Mr. Conseiller, once known for his drunkenness, is the secretary of the Dreve Seventh-day Adventist Church. His wife leads the children’s ministry, where she now teaches young ones just like her daughter once was. And Ebenezer is still at church every Sabbath—still learning and growing.

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Location
Democratic Republic of Congo

Author
Thomas Ongasa, a pastor and formerly a conference president in Congo, founded Train Them 2 Fish in answer to God’s call to equip young people to spread the gospel in the 14 French speaking countries in Africa.

How You Can Help
Pray for Mr. Conseiller’s family as they witness to the power of God in Kinshasa.

Pray for the Train Them 2 Fish team as they send Bible workers to reach the masses in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Give. For $90 a month, you can sponsor one church planter/Bible worker. Mark your donations “Congo Workers” and send to: 

Mission Projects International 
PO Box 237
Kirksville, MO 63501

To give securely online, visit: 
missionspro.org/donate