The church planting efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to grow. Thanks to the efforts of many pastors and leaders, Jesus Film teams are opening churches in some of the most remote parts of the DRC. As churches are planted, discipleship becomes a focus to help the new members learn the word of God. However, we know that getting printed bibles in local languages is difficult.
Over the last two years, the JF field coordinator Rev. Nzola Dieumerci has been encouraging the church planters to use oral bible storytelling in the local languages to be our primary focus for discipleship development. This passion has continued to grow across this great nation under the leadership of District Superintendents like Rev. Celestin Chishibandji in Lubumbashi, Rev. Désiré Bugeshi and Rev. Pigeon Wanyabose in Goma and now Rev. Louis Okende in the region of Kisangani.
In January 2022, Rev. Nzola travelled to Kisangani with Rev. Wilondja from Goma to complete the phase two orality training and officially install Rev. Depa Babulaka as the Africa Central Field orality coordinator. Rev. Depa is a student in ANU Master’s Program and is passionate about church growth and development. He will work alongside Rev. Nzola to further promote, train, and develop the continuing growing numbers of storytellers across the nations in Central Africa Field. Under the direction of FSC Rev. Mario Martinez, we believe this will strengthen the church planting efforts and continue to support the making of Christ-like disciples across these nations.
This is the testimony from Rev. Nzola about this recent event:
“It was a great time during our Orality training at Kisangani.
Kisangani is in the Tshopo district in the DRC. I had the privilege to lead the training alongside two other champions (Pastor Willondja and Rev. Depa Babulaka) for three days, from 17th to 19th of January 2022, with 40 participants who were trained.
What an exciting time together and equipping such talented men and women of God of all ages. On that journey, we discovered with participants the truth on how we can share the articles of faith and how to do discipleships among children, young people, and women at their place of selling, marketplace.
After explaining the scarf with the twelve stories about Jesus, participants were excited to grab it. Unfortunately, I had only one; they are sure ready to have it and use it for discipleship. I spent two Sundays witnessing the practice of orality in Sunday schools. In one church, the Sunday school on orality was led by a woman, and another one was by a child. It was amazing to see how children could respond to the questions by using signs or symbols.
The end of our training was distributing the recording set for local stories to the Tshopo district, and a 3-month plan was developed according to the zones where the participants came from.
Our thanks and appreciation to:
Our God who made it possible; our Regional Coordinator, for accepting our plan and for coaching and supporting; our FSC, for his approval and guidance; our partners, for their willingness to accompany us financially; the Tshopo district leadership, for organizing such an amazing event; my fellow trainers, for giving their best to the entire program.
To God be the glory!”
Let us continue to pray for these leaders and orality champions as they continue to build the Kingdom of God and disciple new believers through sharing the stories of the Bible!
