By 2007, the political situation was heating up in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Justice activists were being brutalized and arrested by the government. This was a sad period in my country’s history. Because I was an evangelist, I was seen as a social activist in our city. So, after 27 years of pastoral ministry, I had to leave my country. I fled persecution and sought protection in the United States.
When I came to the U.S., it was not my intent to work again as pastor. I worked in a secular job for four years before God revealed that He had not yet released me from the call to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. In 2012, an American church invited me to pastor a group of African immigrants and their families, equip them and empower them to utilize their gifts as part of this community of faith. Most members are immigrants from French speaking countries of Central and West Africa. Many have lost hope and feel helpless as they adjust to American way of life, which seems so complicated at first. There are significant legal challenges and language barriers. Many have difficulty accessing public services and face obstacles to employment for better-quality jobs. Many have been psychologically traumatized by army conflict, persecution, and displacement. I tell them, as my mother always told me, that Jesus will see them through every circumstance, and the trials they go through today will become their testimony tomorrow.
My heart is filled with joy as I see American Christians befriend and share Christ’s love with these newcomers to this country. God is good. God is always good. He gives strength when we face painful and devastating situations in life. And as Christians, we always rejoice because we have a relationship with God who will never leave or forsake us. His goodness and mercy will surely follow us all the days of our lives (Psalms 23:6)
