January 6, 2025

General Overseer Visits the Democratic Republic of the Congo

An exciting and warm reception was given to our General Overseer, Bishop Oscar Pimentel, and his traveling partner, World Missions Coordinator, Bishop Robert Hawkins, at the 23^rd Annual National Convention of L’Eglise De Dieu (French for The Church of God) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa. Brother Hawkins had the honor of establishing the Church in the Congo 23 years ago, and it was heartwarming to see old faces (alongside the new) still serving the Lord! God is faithful!

The Convention was held in eastern Congo in a mining city called Lubumbashi, which is about 2,000 kilometers from the capital city of Kinshasa. Our National Overseer, Bishop Patrice Tshitadi Kalamba, his wife, Sister Chantal, and children lived in Kinshasa for many years, but Bishop Patrice lost his job in 2006 when he came for the Overseers Meeting to choose an Interim General Overseer. He stepped out in faith and trusted the Lord! For two years our Overseer had no employment, but the Church stepped in to help him along the way. Eventually a wonderful job opened for him in Lubumbashi (a better job) and the entire family moved across the country. Now Bishop Patrice’s sons are well-employed in the same industry! God is faithful!

The theme of the National Convention was taken from Ephesians 3:17: “That Christ May Dwell in Your Hearts by Faith.” Our Overseer did an outstanding job moderating the Convention. The messages and boosts were effective and exciting, and the worship times were blessed by the Lord. Praise the Lord that several came to the altar during the Convention to give their hearts to Jesus Christ! Many visitors, friends, and work colleagues from the surrounding community came to hear the Word of God. One young man, Esdras Kabamba, the goalie on Congo’s National Football (soccer) Team, came all the way from Kinshasha to be in the meetings. He stood and testified that he was only a toddler when Brother Hawkins first came to the Congo in 2001, but when he heard that our World Missions Coordinator was going to be in the country once again, he was determined to see him! It was also a special blessing to be with Bishop Patrice’s family: his wife, Sister Chantal, their sons Guy Tshitadi Mwana, Marc Tshitadi Makumpa, Joel Tshitadi Ntambwe, and their families, Bishop Patrice’s sister, Pastor Alphonsine Mwanza Tshitadi, and longtime friend and District Overseer, Alphonse Muya, along with many others.

After the National Convention, several of the brethren traveled from Lubumbashi by plane to the capital city of Kinshasa, where a three-day Conference Des Serviteurs (Servants Meeting) was conducted in an area called Sarepta, where Sister Alphonsine is the pastor. And God blessed just as well there! Kinshasa is where L’ Eglise De Dieu has the majority of its members and also many young people!

Alas, the time came for our brethren to return home to the United States of America, but they are trusting that this “first” will certainly not be the “last,” and that this “Bonjour” will not be an “Au revoir!” We are glad to report that plans are being made for Bible Training Institute to be conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2025! God is faithful! Let us be faithful to Him!