December 2012
Turning from the Power of Satan to God
Church planter, Pastor Jeff Kasongo, decided to start a new Come and See congregation “where angels fear to tread”—an area on the outskirts of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that’s notorious as a hive of witchdoctor activity.Jeff understood this meant a likely confrontation with the forces of darkness. But just like the Apostle Paul recounting his conversion, Jeff knew he had to reach the locals and …”open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith…” Acts 26:18
In short order, the witchdoctors and their supporters served as an “unwelcoming committee” to Jeff. They set fire to the electrical equipment in Jeff’s lounge. His car was also burnt beyond repair. (We hope to help Jeff resume his ministry schedule with a motorbike from our “Bibles and bikes” fund soon and appreciate any support you can offer.)
Jeff boldly announced to his congregation that they would go, in faith, to buy more chairs for their new church building and trust the Lord for more souls turning “from the power of Satan to God.”
Every Sunday, all 200 chairs are filled with church attendees. Prayer meetings take place at 5:30 every morning. The witchdoctors have fled the area.
Conference
My friends, Ron, Tim and I labored with Jeff in ministry. We also had the honor of being the guest speakers’ at Bishop Lamba Lamba’s Come and See Church pre-conference leading up to their January outreach.
There is a hunger for God’s Truth in the DRC and the Come and See ministries are meeting the need. Thankfully, a mighty crowd did show up. Over the five-day conference, up to 6,000 people gathered inside and outside their currently-under-construction sanctuary, hearing God’s Word preached and also special lectures for both the youth and Christian leaders. Our message reached more than those who attended in person—praise the Lord! We were interviewed on citywide television and provided Bibles to three congregations for distribution to the needy.
The church college where students can study Theology, Information Technology, Marketing and Medicine has outgrown its facilities.
The church has procured land to build classrooms and expand its spiritual teachings. I’ll keep you posted on how you can help with this life-changing ministry of teaching students how to apply the Lordship of Jesus Christ to all areas of life.
Many live in fear in the DRC. Businessmen remain cautious. Building projects have halted. The latest chapter of instability in the DRC’s long history of turmoil started in April with the formation of the M23 rebel movement, which followed a mutiny in the army and has since displaced more than 500,000 people.
But the believers of the Come and See Church firmly recognize that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the body of Christ, the Church. Through their college, clinic, radio and television ministry, housing of orphans and more than 1000 congregations, they are working to see Christ’s Will being done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Feeding the Poor
Hungry ChildFor years, Bishop John Jere has supported orphans in and around the Zambian capital city of Lusaka, amongst many other areas.
Ron, Tim and I joined John on his outreaches. Fortunately, my friends have richly blessed the ministry with loads of food, cooking oil and coal for cooking purposes.
Soccer fever is in the air with the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations starting soon, so soccer balls made up part of the gifts Ron and Tim also shared
with the orphans. The children could not believe their eyes when the food and gifts arrived; Ron and Tim pointed the children to Jesus Christ, the Father’s greatest gift to man.
We prayed for many. One pastor, suffering from a very painful and swollen foot that gave him sleepless nights, was walking around his garden the day following prayer.
We will keep traveling into dangerous and extremely volatile situations because of Him! To preach His Gospel and disciple His nations!
To see more photographs of our ministry, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/authorcharlvanwyk
Ministry extras
The filming of the documentary that will accompany the envisaged feature film of my book started recently.
“Shooting Back” has received many favorable comments on Amazon.com and by God’s Grace is still on the Best Sellers list for its genre in Kindle e-Books. Please read one of my favorite reviews HERE.
JOY! a leading South African Christian magazine, published my article Where are the Christian Men? in its December issue.
May our Lord Jesus Christ guide and keep you over 2013 as you seek to do His Will. And also in the coming year may many more souls come to secure salvation in Christ, life everlasting and the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Thank you.
