Pastor Training in Democratic Republic of Congo

Democratic Republic of Congo is a nation of 62 million people and is the third largest nation on the continent, where since 1998, the country has suffered through the deadliest war the world has seen since World War II, with 4 million deaths resulting from fighting, disease, and famine. African Leadership has been training Pastors and church leaders there since 2005. As of March 2008, we have 788 students attending 20 classes at 13 training centers, with over 700 total graduates.

Our National Director is Denis Hangi. Denis himself was a displaced survivor of the war, and while living in the city of Goma, Denis began evangelizing house-to-house. He was eventually blessed with some land on which he began a church, and, over time, the church grew “step by step", impacting the community for Christ. Recently preaching at crusades in refugee settlements, Denis sees conversions to Christianity among people who have nothing, who find their only hope is in the Gospel.

This message is from Denis in late 2007 "I do praise the Lord to hear your compassion regarding the war in my country-thanks. Life is exceedingly worse especially in Masisi and Rutshuru districts today, but we don't know what will come for tomorrow. Five classes from these districts have scattered and now some of our students are in the camps around Goma, while classes in other provinces are going on very well. On my side, food is a problem in my city-we do receive food from the rural areas, even though all roads are out. All the people who have been farming are scattered, and their crops have been looted and our town suffers to try to get food. Even the little food selling in stores here is very expensive due to these events. What I would request of you, please, is to pray for the students in particular who are scattered in the camps here to be assisted physically and spiritually. I plan to go there with a group to do evangelizing and teaching in the camps." Denis Hangi-National Director of African Leadership-DRC

You can see how Denis and his team face tremendous difficulties, in this country devastated by war. DRC is one the poorest nations in the world, with an average income of only 120.00 per person. More than eight million people have been displaced, with many roaming about without shelter or security. There is great feeling of insecurity and fear in general, especially in Eastern DRC, even as government factions try to rebuild the nation from the horrors of this "African World War" since the signing of the peace agreement in January 2008. The scars of war seen in the orphans, widows, and victims of rape and violence, can only be healed by the hope of the Gospel of Christ.

African Leadership is thankful to have a presence in DRC, Traditional religions are prevalent among more that 10% of the population, and embody such concepts as animism, ancestor worship, witchcraft, and sorcery. Some sects often merge Christianity with these traditional beliefs and rituals.

A message from a resident of a refugee camp visited by Denis and his team in late 2007: "During the painful time which is occurring in the refuge camps, especially lack of house and food, living in open air as reptiles, it was quite absurd for me to afford raising a prayer. Even to read the Bible or to hear about anybody who could tell me God's word, was completely a grief in my heart. I praise the Lord for the grace He gave me to attend these three Crusades in the camps. it was also interesting to our preacher who testified according to his life he passed through along the way. He passed through suffering more than others who we were together with. His testimony challenged me and as a result I have decided to serve God in my life, through hardships that I can cross. I praise God for African Leadership, who brought this program to reach displaced people of this camp. I would suggest that other rescues be reached for as well because without God s' word there is no hope in the camps." Bauma Chahi-Resident of Magunga I refugee camp.

As African Leadership equips National Directors like Denis Hangi to make a lasting impact in churches and communities throughout The Democratic Republic of Congo, we are grateful for the support of our donors who make this national transformation possible. As we travel to visit our Directors and attend graduation ceremonies in Africa, we are amazed at the dedication of these pastors. They often work full time jobs in addition to their pastoral workload, and go to school 2-4 days a week. The desire to be better teachers and preachers is reflected in their joyful completion of the 2-year program, which provides comprehensive training in all phases of church leadership equivalent to a foundational-level seminary or Bible College degree, utilizing a 10-course, 2,500-page Bible centered curriculum, developed by Dr. Dennis Mock and translated into a nine African language by African Leadership.

Please pray for Denis and his family and staff, as they labor to bring hope to the communities of DRC, by increasing the impact of the Gospel through training of pastors and church leaders. African Leadership-DRC is graduating an average of 400 students each year, and when their training is finished, they will periodically attend alumni training for HIV/AIDS issues, Islam apologetics, and financial management. With the end of the war and violence, many new classes may be established with networking of alumni and teachers, spreading the word about our Training Program, resulting in more and more Pastor registrations and expanding educational outreach to even more cities.

With such immeasurable need for training of Pastors and church leaders, African Leadership is working to bring accessible, affordable training to the Democratic Republic of Congo for the vitality and health of the Church. In bringing the Gospel to DRC though, the African Leadership team members and teachers face many travel difficulties, with dependable vehicles always in short supply, as they travel crude roads to organize and teach their classes. Please consider how you might lend your support, as you pray for Denis Hangi and his family and staff, as they labor to bring hope to the communities of DRC, by increasing the impact of the Gospel through training of Pastors and church leaders.