The Baptist Press has just featured the work IMFC has sponsored among the rebel soldiers operating in eastern Congo with IMB missionary Rusty Pugh! It is a great story with awesome pictures–except the last one. The one of Rusty. Just kidding!

Rusty and Debbie Pugh have become precious friends of mine. I have the greatest respect for him and feel it an honor to have been able to partner with him in this work. Here’s the link to the story. Click here. I have also copied some of the story below. I think you will enjoy reading it.

As I read the story, I remember when Rusty and I first visited the pastors in Goma. They weren’t thinking of ministering to rebel soldiers, they wanted help to build or repair church buildings and carry on their church ministries. Their focus was inward. They wanted IMFC to help them.

For two days they showed us their churches. We went to over 20 churches in those two days. We meet the people in their churches, had a brief and sometimes not so brief service, and saw their needs. They do have needs. Great needs. Check out my pictures of Goma here.

But IMFC’s ministry is not in building church buildings, providing subsides for pastors, or shoring up church ministries to members. IMFC exist to touch the poor, outcast, oppressed and diseased with the love of Christ, to preach the gospel to them, and to start indigenous churches where they can worship the Lord and be discipled in the faith. This is also the heart of Rusty Pugh and it is why we partner with him.

So, when I met the pastors in Goma, I initially thought IMFC’s time and money had been wasted as I went from church to church and heard the pleas for help. But, as Rusty and I continued to share with the pastors our vision and calling, they came to understand why we were there. That we were not there to minister to their churches but to partner with them in extending the Kingdom of God to the people around them who are spiritually and physically needy. We wanted to help them do the work God has around them. This is when the ministry to the rebel soldiers emerged–and how God has blessed it.

I have many stories on this blog from this ministry. Hopefully, through this past year you have read some or all of them. If not go through the DR Congo section and read the posts. There are amazing stories of God’s grace.

My heart is with the pastors that we have worked with in Goma. They are true heroes of the faith. They went from being inward focused pastors to great evangelist sacrificing for the Kingdom of God! I have huge respect and admiration for these guys. They are the real deal!

Rusty and I trained several pastors in evangelism and church planting but only six were chosen for the work. Here is a video that I shot the last day of training. Rusty interviews each one. Take a look at these men through whom God has accomplished much.

The men in this video put their lives on the line for Christ each time they left their homes and went into the hills to meet with the rebel soldiers. I look up to them and pray for them. They did the work. We had he privilege to stand on the sidelines and cheer them on. The Lord blessed their efforts.

I remember Rusty commenting as we left after the last day of training, “We may have just trained a martyr for Christ.” I am grateful that none meet any harm.

Here is the excerpt from the Baptist Press story that tells the story of what has happened through this ministry. If you want to read the full story and see the pictures, click here.

Congolese pastor Pascal Ndiho coordinates this dangerous ministry. “Without the permission of the commanders, we are not allowed to go and reach the rebel soldiers,” Ndiho says. “We must identify ourselves as servants of God and that we are there to share the wonderful news of Jesus Christ.



“We show them the advantages of being in Christ.”

Their efforts have been striking.



“They have started small groups among the rebels,” Pugh reports, “and because the rebels are always moving, new groups have been formed by the rebels that were trained by the Goma pastors … so the groups are multiplying.”



To date, more than 500 rebels have been baptized.

Eight of these men gather in a small compound to tell their stories. At first their tales are sketchy, almost rehearsed.

“I did bad things,” one says. A second echoes the same line.



They are quiet, then they begin to open up. 

One nervously fidgets with his automatic weapon. “I murdered people and I raped women,” he says, “… and I enjoyed it.”



“I have even killed children,” another says.



Their faces bear evidence to the seriousness of what they have done. Their piercing gazes instill fear. “I really didn’t think about what I was doing,” one says. “I was just doing what I thought I should do….”



The eight soldiers accepted Christ through the efforts of Habimana, Ndiho and the other pastors. Their faces soften when they talk about the change in their lives.



“We try not to think about what we did — to remember — but it is hard,” one confesses. “We know that we have hurt many people and have a lot of sin. But it is very different now.”



“The difference is that before I did not know God,” another says. “What I did, I did for me. Now I know that I committed so many sins, and I feel very guilty. But the pastor said that God can forgive me … now I know I can be forgiven because of Jesus.



“It was the happiest day of my life.”



Simply amazing. God’s grace is truly without bounds!

Could you forgive someone who killed a family member of yours, raped your wife, kidnapped your child and turned him into a rebel soldier? Be hard wouldn’t it? But many people are faced with that dilemma.

The picture above comes from a church in an IDP camp outside Goma, DR Congo. These people have fled from the rebel soldiers. They have been abused and mistreated by them. Now, they are asked to forgive them as some of these rebels come to faith in Christ.

God is saving some of these rebels. I have posted some of their stories of grace in this blog. Now, I have received more stories; they touched my heart. I pray they will yours as well. God’s grace is truly amazing. But, could you forgive them?

Caporal Zigashani Etienne:

I was born in a pagan family in Walikale area and I grew up without spiritual education. My father was a hunter and I helped him as a teenager. He joined the rebel group MaiMai. So, I was also enrolled in that group of rebels.

They used to cut us and put medicine paste on our body saying that when fighting we wouldn’t die, but during the fighting many of us were dying. Our leaders said they died because they had offended the ancestors. This made us continue with the rebel group up to the day rebels join the government army.

The medicine paste, I think, was the cause of my mind to change. From that time, I started being a bad man to people, as many rebels were living by pillage and stealing valued things in rich people homes.

The gospel you shared with me touched me and my heart. I need you to pray for me that God may forgive me, and I receive today Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior. I am going to change.

Lt. Ishara Mulesa:

I was born in a Christian family. I joined CNDP rebel movement when I saw many of my colleagues join that group.

Many of my colleagues told me that rebellious is not a church so I have to change my mind and be as they tell me. They taught me how to arrest people, make intimidation, steal and pillage people, force a wife to have sexual contact with me, ect. I thought that was that kind of life necessary to confirm the behavior of a serious rebel.

One day I intimidated a person who after giving me all he had told me, “God bless you.” I was shocked but didn’t respond.

When I joined the government army through cease fire agreement, I met soldiers having a moment of pray. They told us to repent of our sins. Now through the gospel you shared with me, I find this the opportunity for me to repent of my sins, believe and accept Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior.

I haven’t posted much lately from the ministry among the rebel soldiers outside Goma, DR Congo, but incredible life-change is happening.

I Just received the October report from Pastor Pascal. The teams of pastors went out to the soldier camps the first two weeks in October. Forty-nine (49) soldiers prayed to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior!

Here are three stories that Pascal included in his report that blessed my heart. I think they will bless yours as well.

Soldier MAHIRWE – Mukuyu Camp:
Mahirwe said that he was born in a pagan family. He was taken forcedly by rebels to join their group at age 13. He is now 19.

In the military service with rebels, they taught him to use drugs so he was became crazy. He killed innocent people for not giving him beer or monies. When he attended the government army he diminished due to advice from his major.

We shared the gospel with him. He said the book of Romans made him afraid and showed him how the creator loves people. He decided to repent of his sins and believe in Jesus Christ to be his Savior and Lord. He will be attending the church to learn more. He asked us to come back again.

-Adj James – Kikuku camp:
He said that he attend PARECO group to hide him self because he was thief. Being a rebel, he used to steal on road monies and things of value from passengers. He set fire to the cars of those who tried to runaway. The monies he received from his crimes were used to buy beer and prostitution. In the government army he didn’t change, but there he was learning to obey people and their properties.

He said the gospel we brought to him said James came at right time. He said he needed God to forgive him and he accepted Jesus Christ to be his Lord and Savior.

We prayed for him and he is now attending a Baptist church in Kikuku.

-Caporal NTAHOBAHISHA – Kahira camp:
He said that in his life he did many bad things, mainly adultery. He attended rebel group and being a bandit with military uniform, he thought to have the authorization to do bad things to everyone.

When they were fighting against government forces, he saw his colleagues die. He became afraid and now he fears to go to fighting ground.

Time came to join the government army. One day they went to fight FDLR. Some of his friends died and his back was partially wounded.

We shared the gospel with him and he discovered the love of God. He wanted to repent of his sins. He says God forgave him and Jesus Christ is his Lord and Savior. He said that he will attend regularly the church to hear the gospel for growing in faith.

Continue to pray for this ministry and pray for the men who have given their lives to Christ. Also, pray for the pastors who leave their families to journey out to where the soldier camps are.

To God be the glory!

I’m tried of bad news. IF God is still in control of all things in this UNIVERSE (and I believe and know He is), then there must be something positive happening. Right?

Well, check out these latest stories of God’s grace from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They remind me of the verse that says where sin abounds much more does the grace God.

Cpt FUNGAMEZA SERUBURA ,

Born in Bweru village  said: I was helping my father to hunt for having meat(food), one day my father told me that instead of hunting, let us steal the goat which was near us in the bushes, He said we should go into the forest, kill it and return back with meat. I agreed and did.

The owners started searching for their goat and suspected us. They arrived in our home, found meat of goat when we had no goat. We were arrested. For payment, we sold our land and moved to a new village. Life became so difficult. I decided to join CNDP forces at Mweso and got the opportunity to steal, pill and beating people. I am now in the army. According to the gospel, I understand  that I was lost. I repent of my sins, believe in Jesus Christ and receive him to be my Lord and saviour .

Sgt BOLINGO,

Born in Equateur province, said: I was a thief. I have been imprisoned many times because of stealing. One day I succeeded to runaway from prison and joined the troops of MLC (rebel movement of JP BEMBA) where I continued without any fear of my acts – stealing, pilling, killing people for their monies and value things.

When I joined the army, I heard for my first time the gospel from our military chaplain and neglected. It is now my first time to hear the gospel from civil servant of God. Now I say may God forgive me. I repent of my sins. I decide to give my life to Jesus Christ.

We prayed for him, he believed and received Jesus Christ to be his Lord and Saviour

Caporal Mbarushimana,

Born in Rutshuru zone, Jomba village said: I was born in a pagan family. I grew up helping  my father to do fetish. I saw this activity as good since it brought monies to my family. During the war, 1996-1997, my parents ,sisters and brothers were killed. I left our village by fear and joined the army AFDL. I continued in darkness using fetish to get money, wives, girls for adultery, drugs and other bad things.

Now according to the gospel I hear from you, I say God may forgive me all my sins. Pray for me. I believe and receive Jesus Christ to be my  Lord and  saviour.

Continue to pray for the men that go out among these soldiers to share the gospel. Pray for their safety and ask the Lord to grant them a powerful anointing with Holy Spirit. They labor in some difficult and dangerous places.

We thank first the donors for their contribution to this ministry to rebels through what many souls were saved and won to the Lord Jesus Christ. We say again, God bless you.

In our mission, we were focusing our ministry to rebels. Now, rebels are mixing with the army. We wish this program to continue. It is making a great contribution because to have army which believes in Jesus Christ is most blessing to people (Congolese).

Perhaps, in case this project may have many donors, a large program could be envisaged for civilians. Then a team may be sent to the soldiers and another to civilian if possible.

Thank you once again for your prayers.

Brother Pascal
Project Supervisor

Grace Stories From DR Congo

Here are a few remarkable “Grace stories” from the work in March that I thought you might enjoy reading. I love these!

Kitchanga team:
Fantone,Kazungu.  I was born in a pagan  and very poor family. When  I was 14(in 1998), soldiers of RCD (rebel movement) took me for helping them to take water and brought me in their camp. I lived there and one year later I became a good soldier; I  participated to many wars (fighting) some of my colleagues died, but I am alive. Now hearing the gospel I discover that is the love of God to me to be alive up to now. I repent my sins and believe in Jesus Christ to be my Lord and saviour.

Minova team:
Maonero. I was born in a pagan family. I grew up without any help. When I was 20, I entered in the army. During fighting I was happy to kill enemies until my colleagues named me satan. When we were taking people in hostage, they were asking me to kill them and was doing so. Now after hearing the gospel,  I find all of those creature (people killed ) were my brothers and sisters. I repent my sins; may God forgive me. Since this day I believe and receive Jesus Christ in my heart to be my Lord and Saviour. Continue praying for me.(He is a soldier of regular army)

Nyanzale team
Sengabo. I was a pagan. One day I beat my wife and she was seriously injured. I was afraid to be arrested and imprisoned for that fault. I went to join a rebel group and became soldier. I continued my bad behaviour and I didn’t hear about the gospel. Now as I hear the gospel, I know that God loves me. I repent my sins and believe in Jesus Christ to be my Lord and  saviour.

Difficulties
-In Nyanzale area  at Ngoolo, soldiers intimidated us asking us to sit down on mud. After a long explanation they accepted us to witness. They heard us and 24 of them were saved.

-In Kitchanga area, Mpanamo village, CNDP troops refused us and talked wickedly to us asking us to leave the area and to go preach FDLR (Democratic Forces for Rwanda Liberation) who threaten Congolese. We left. (What’s the grace story here? God took care of the pastors! That’s grace.)

Grace story from Bible Way Clubs in Kampala, Uganda

From Lillian (Student # 52558): A High School Student
“I truly bless the Lord for this course. It has encouraged me to dig deeper in the word and memorize it each time am facing a challenge. It has also strengthened my faith because it was almost fainting due to the challenges am facing in my family and even my personal walk with the Lord.
“I’m so grateful that the Lord is using this project to be a light to so many and bringing the lost back home. Please I’m so humbled and blessed because this was an answered prayer. It’s my prayer that I go through it to the end. God bless.”

Grace story from Lazier Remand Prison

From Peter (Student # 57717): A Prisoner in
“I have witnessed and taken Jesus as my Savior. This has been due to the tremendous work you been doing at Luzira Remand Prison. I think it’s not only me who has taken Jesus as my Savior but a lot my fellow prisoners (colleagues) have done so.
“Therefore Pastor Joseph and Douglas, nothing I can pay you but the reward (wage) is in heaven (to the Father) because you have done your task.
God Bless you.”

Ministry to Rebel Soldiers Report
Just received a “great” report from the work in Goma, DRC. Here are a few highlights. Thanks for your prayers and gifts.

In March, 92 people prayed to receive Jesus Christ; 5 were baptized and 11 small groups were started. This means that from January through March, 429 people made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior; 52 were baptized! Amazing.

Remember the pastors only go out for 2 weeks each month. This is truly a ripe harvest field for the Lord and it cost so little.

Please pray for these soldiers who come to faith in Jesus Christ. The pastors start small churches with them and teach them how to study the Bible and live a Christian life, but the soldiers move around so much that when the pastors return the next month, most are no longer around. They have been replaced. So, the pastors have a new group of soldiers to share with.

Pray that the soldiers who come to true saving faith in Jesus Christ will share the gospel with many as they go other places and the kingdom of God will be expanded.

You can see and learn about these men and this ministry in the post A New Work Opens in DRC.

January of this year, IMFC joined Pastor Habimana, leader of the Union of Baptist Churches of DRC (UEBCO), and Rusty Pugh, IMB missionary, in an effort to reach out to the rebel soldiers operating in Eastern DR Congo with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here is a short video explaining the work and the men who are involved in it.

Pray for these men, the rebel soldiers they are ministering to and the churches they lead.