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2007 WORLD MAP SEMINARS IN AFRICA
Grace Abounds!
By Frank R. Parrish
In 2006, while I was ministering at a pastors’ conference in Thika, Kenya, a man approached me. In very broken English, he introduced himself as a pastor who had traveled from the nation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (or DRC, formerly Zaire) to be part of the conference.
He went on to explain how he and so many other pastors he knew in his country had never been to a pastors’ conference before. As I looked into his eyes, I could see years of trial and pain mixed with the thrill of being part of a worship and teaching gathering with other pastors.
As he shared with me, it became clear that the need for training of these beloved brothers of the Congo was surpassed only by their hunger for fellowship and solid Bible teaching.
My heart was touched by this godly servant’s sincerity and his great desire to reach his nation for Christ.
That conversation initiated a year-long planning process with friend and ministry partner Don Richter of Harvest Preparation International Ministries (HPIM).
In our initial inquiries, we discovered that it was still not entirely safe for Westerners to go into the Congo area where most of these pastors were from. This, coupled with the profound poverty that most of these pastors live in all their lives, created a unique challenge as to how we could best respond to their overwhelming desire for a pastors’ training conference of their own.
We put this before the Lord, “who opens doors that no one can shut” (Rev 3:7) – and He again provided an open door for us! Shortly after that, Brother Don received an invitation to hold a pastors’ conference in Kigali, Rwanda – a city geographically “right next door” to the DRC. The only challenge remaining was the provision of transportation, visas, accommodations and food for the Congolese pastors while traveling; and then food and housing for them while attending the conference.
That was provided as well – by you! We thank God for the World MAP supporters (as well as the partners of HPIM) who responded and gave so generously in order to make it possible for these Congolese pastors to attend their very first pastors’ conference!
So it was that in July of this year, the U.S. portion of the ministry team for the conference arrived in Kigali. Already, pastors from the Congo had been traveling for days, only to be held up at the border where they had to sleep overnight. We delayed the start of the conference for their sakes, and joined in prayer for favor and grace for them.
God again opened the doors, and their group of 63 pastors finally arrived to greet the almost 200 Rwandan pastors already present. Thus began a mighty time together in the Spirit and in the Word!
Where Sin Abounds
The short delay in the start of our conferences allowed the ministry team the privilege of seeing the capital of Rwanda. As many of you will remember, Rwanda was much in the news twelve or so years ago. They were experiencing horrific tribal genocide; and much death, destruction and heartache resulted – including the burning and destruction of a large part of the capital city.
As we toured the city, we could see the impact of recent rebuilding efforts. But there were other deeper and more profound problems that needed much more than bricks, concrete and asphalt – they would be fixed only by the touch of the Master Builder.
This was especially evident to us at one of the primary Rwandan memorial centers. These unique sites had been constructed throughout Rwanda after the genocide, to provide both a burial place for those massacred and a physical reminder to never allow such horrible events again.
The atmosphere was hushed as we entered a large facility, unsure of what we’d find there. We passed through the Memorial Garden, to look upon a dozen or so large concrete “bunkers”. We were informed that instead of individual graves with markers, these were the burial sites.
Apparently, as bodies have been recovered, the remains are brought here for potential identification and burial. In this one site alone – there are 72 others in Rwanda – there are more than 278,000 people buried; and of those, only 2,000 have been identified!
Bodies continue to be newly discovered in unmarked mass graves as the government of Rwanda advances its drastically needed rebuilding program.
It was overwhelming to see such brutal evidence of man’s cruelty. Most of the genocidal violence was committed by one tribe against another. In 1994, long resentment boiled over as the militant Hutu tribal group and their sympathizers mercilessly attacked members of the Tutsi tribe. This conflict pitted neighbor against neighbor – even family members were killing each other.
The causes of this genocidal civil war are complex and centuries old. But the result was almost unimaginable in its demonic forms of cruel violence committed by humans against other humans.
It is conservatively estimated that more than one million people lost their lives during this genocide, and many more than that became orphaned. Often, whole families and even entire villages were wiped out.
Grace Abounding More
The Rwandan nation is still rebuilding at every level – physically, emotionally and spiritually. We observed many new buildings under construction and new roads being built.
Fortunately, the government has also recognized the desperate spiritual need that can be met only through Christ Jesus. They have given wide-open permission for Christianity to grow and the Gospel to be preached without restriction. We saw a number of large Spirit-filled churches, and heard of many new works springing up throughout the land.
Though justice for those who were oppressed and persecuted is good, it is only the love of God entering the human heart which will truly release and transform the pain and brokenness caused by this tragic history.
God is at work in Rwanda! He is healing and saving, and sweeping an entire generation of lost and broken people into His Kingdom of life and hope! He truly is a Father to the fatherless and a Husbandman to the widowed. He is a Redeemer and a Restorer, and the One Who can make all things new. Though the needs are vast and great, our God is even greater and more than able. What a blessed Savior we serve!
From Every Nation
Our conference with the Rwandan pastors and those from the Congo was very rich in its content, profound in its impact, and truly life-transforming for those in attendance.
These pastors from different African nations – separated by language, culture and geographic distance – still shared the same deep hunger for the Word of God and His Spirit. They also held within them the burning passion to bring the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of their nations!
Among the many blessings of this conference were special presentations by the pastors from the Congo. They shared with us their native form of worship to God, and it was truly inspiring to behold. Though their style was very different than what I was accustomed to seeing, there was no mistaking that they worshipped the One True God and His Son, Jesus Christ – with all their heart, soul, mind and strength! We were touched and inspired to lift up the name of the King with the same vigor and passion!
Among the teachings the pastors received were: The Pastor’s Call and Confidence; The Pastor’s Prayer Life; The Baptism in the Holy Spirit and Anointing; Representing the Heart of the Father; and much more.
Training Is Critical
With sincere hugs and gratitude for the Lord’s work in our midst, the team departed Rwanda for the next conference in Migori, Kenya.
Our primary contact was Bishop John Okinda, a man to whom God has given great vision for his nation. Pastor Okinda’s facility includes a training center for church leaders, as well as an orphanage which houses 200 children (primarily those orphaned by AIDS).
God is at work in Kenya. The pastors I spoke with all noted how hungry the people of Kenya are for the Gospel, and how much they desire a mighty visitation of His Spirit (Joel 2:28,29).
The believers in Kenya will walk from five to 20 miles just to hear the Gospel and be prayed for. But most frequently it is the pastors who will walk many miles, to reach the outlying villages where they minister to those present and see much spiritual fruit of saved souls and healings.
We praise the Lord for the work of His Spirit in Kenya. This move of God, however, highlights the critical importance of church leadership training.
The pastors need help and training, in order to properly disciple these newborn believers. But the pastors also need assistance to know how to effectively train a new generation of church leaders, who will then help shepherd the unprecedented number of people who are receiving Jesus Christ as Savior.
Needless to say, the 200 or so pastors who met with us in Migori were more than eager for solid Bible teaching, which they joyfully received!
Faithful, Committed And Courageous
At the conclusion of both conferences, we were privileged to give each pastor their own copy of The Shepherd’s Staff (World MAP’s 1,000-page pastor’s training guide). It is always my joy and honor to represent you – who so faithfully give to World MAP – as I receive the overwhelming response of these very grateful pastors. I wish there was some way that you could see the look on their faces and experience the genuine words of thanks I receive on your behalf. Please know that your giving will be multiplied and will provide training resources that will be well used for years to come!
Without doubt, God is doing a powerful work in Africa. Though the Gospel has been there for several centuries, there is an even greater Harvest happening now.
Please pray for the African pastors and their congregations! It is the African pastor and his flock that remain in the work, day after day, year after year – faithful, committed and courageous representatives of Christ’s Kingdom in harsh and often cruel circumstances.
They continue on – despite persecution, poverty, loss, trial and affliction – because of their deep love for God and their passion to see their nation won for Christ! Though virtually unknown on the earth, they will be greatly known one day in Heaven. These are truly a Hebrews 11 kind of heroes, and we honor them in their diligent service.
Thank you for what you supply to these African pastors, and to so many other church leaders in similar circumstances. Because of your prayer and faithful support, we are able to furnish an ample supply of deeply-needed training resources for these frontline saints. They are more than willing and able. They just need the training to know what to do!
We praise God that what men once called the “Dark Continent” is now being filled with God’s great light – to Him be all the glory!
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