How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach UNLESS THEY ARE SENT? ...So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:14–15a, 17
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
DR Congo - Kinshasa Visit - APR/MAY 2026
Yesterday morning (5/11), Missionary Peter Evensen and I parted ways. He flew back to Togo via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and I flew to Lusaka, Zambia via Johanessburg, South Africa. We spent the past two weeks visiting the two ministries we work with in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). As the visit to the DRC drew to a close it was one of those bitter/sweet moments of life. I've been visiting the DRC since 2010. Since the DRC is a former Belgium colony and thus a French speaking nation, it has been the plan of the Board of Missions for the past seven years that Missionary Evensen has been living and working Togo (another French speaking nation) for him to be the primary contact for the DRC and to make the annual visits. This makes a lot of sense due because he speaks fluent French and it is much easier for him to get the required visa. Due to several factors, this change hasn't happened...until now. This was most likely my last regular annual visit to the DR Congo. I call it bitter/sweet, because as much as I have come to love and appreciate those I have worked closely with over these past 16 years and I will miss fellowshipping with them, I am also very thankful that our Savior has provided a missionary with such amazing gifts in Peter Evensen who will continue the work much better than me. I will miss these regular visits to the DRC, but I can also honestly say that I won't miss the crazy DRC airports, chaotic Kinshasa traffic (it takes 3 hours to travel 22 miles!), and the less than effecient visa application process. Not to worry though...there are still lots of crazy airports and chaotic traffic that I will get to "enjoy" in the many other developing nations I visit every year on behalf of the CLC :).
After meeting at the airport in Lome', Togo on April 28th, Peter and I flew directly to Kinshasa. We spent about week meeting with Pastor Jacques Pondi Lumiangu and conducting a Bible seminar at the local congregation. Peter taught the first day on Law and Gospel and the doctrine of Objective vs Subjective Justification. I taught the second day on Grace Alone, Faith Alone, and Scripture Alone with a closer look at what saving Faith is and is not according to Scripture. I also had the privilege of preaching for the Sunday morning worship service on John 14...Jesus - The Way, The Truth, and The Life. My sermon was translated from English to French (by Peter) to Lingala (the local language).
Pastor Lumiangu is a very sincere and dedicated servant of the Lord. The congregation has faced several challenges over the past couple of years. They lost the place of worship they had been renting for several years. The elderly couple who owned the property passed away and the family decided to sell it. The congregation didn't have the financial resources to purchase the property so they have had to move locations a couple of times in recent years. Since most of the members do not own cars and transportation is difficult and costly, the congregation needs to stay within reasonable walking distance of all the members. They found vacant lot to rent and have constructed a small worship place. They would like to purchase property and build a proper church, but the cost is very expensive in Kinshasa.
Pray that the Lord will provide for this ministry as they strive to estalish a confessional Lutheran congregation that will serve as a strong foundation from which to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ among the 21+ million residents of Kinshasa and beyond.
On Tuesday, May 5th, Peter and I flew from Kinshasa to Lubumbashi for our visit with Pastor Yumba Lumbala and the CCLC.
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God will open doors
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