Covenant News

CEUM, Covenant Leaders Seek Plan for the Future

GEMENA, CONGO (September 4, 2001) - In their eighth meeting over the course of two years, leaders of the Covenant Church of Congo (CEUM) and the Evangelical Covenant Church's (ECC) Department of World Mission met recently to further clarify the respective roles of the two organizations in various areas of ministry throughout the region.

"Our discussions are charting a course for the future through addressing key issues including," said Africa region coordinator Pete Ekstrand in reporting on the conference's accomplishments. Key areas of discussion included the sustainability of CEUM's ministries, dependency, the vision of the CEUM to reach out in mission, the possibilities and limits of funding through Covenant sources and the need for direct contact between the CEUM and local Covenant churches.

CEUM Executive Committee members who participated in the discussions include President Gbuda Luyada, Vice President Kafi Nubea, pastor Lygunda Fohle, Rev. Langba Duale, Rev. Moselu Ngendema, Ngando Manzani, Ir. Ya Kotake Mbio, Gowe Gwanago and Mrs. Mbuwa Sombo. Evangelical Covenant Church representatives included Jim Gustafson, Peter Ekstrand, Ken Satterberg and Keith Gustafson. The accompanying photo shows (from left) President Luyada, Pastor Fohle and Vice President Nubea.

The Covenant delegation flew to Gemena on a Mission Aviation Fellowship plane where they were met by the CEUM president and vice president. After completing the formalities for entering the country, team members drove three miles to CEUM headquarters where they were formally welcomed. The delegation returned to Bangui in the Central African Republic following the three-day conference.

"We talk about partnership and we appreciate the Covenant church in North America very much, but it seems that we suffer all of the effects of partnership," one Congo Covenant Church leader said. "What do Covenanters elsewhere experience from our partnership?" He was reflecting on the continued difficulties in the Congo economy, medical care, education and just about every aspect of daily life. "War has ended, but the effects of war continue." He also reflected on some of the feelings most people experience during especially difficult times - "aloneness, wondering if we will ever overcome all the difficulties in front of us, wishing for better days that we used to know."

"As a Covenant church, we have helped the church in Congo with prayer and finances and, to a very limited extent, presence," Ekstrand observed. "That has been appreciated. It has meant that ministries of the church could continue. It has meant that other organizations also wanting to help in our area can count on the Congo Covenant to help carry out projects."

"You have much to give us - what do we have to give you?" the Congo church leader asked. That was a question not only from Congo Christians, but also from those who can so easily give money and aid, Ekstrand commented. Gustafson tearfully responded, "You give us an example of Christian faith and service that does not depend on material wealth or on your own convenience. You live ministry where we would have given up. Your faith is a message that our churches need to hear and a call that must lead us to repent and follow Jesus in a new way."

Other comments from participants included:

• Duale, Department of Evangelism and Mission: "Discussion and debate with mutual respect. Sharing of experiences that benefit our respective churches, in particular our different departments. Jim's reflections on the mission of the church in general, and World Mission in particular, helps us define and then redefine our vision of mission. These regular contacts help to increase our understanding of partnership."
• Vice president Nubea: "The reasons for these meetings are exhortation and prayer together, to inform each other of our situations, verify the execution of our plans, look to level (smooth) out our differences in the execution of our plans and to look for the doors to exit from where we have difficulties. Every time after a meeting, there is a new force and a moral comfort."
• Ngendema, Department of Christian Education and Communication: "The CEUM-Covenant consultations have been a huge school for me through which I am learning many things for the work the Lord has given me. These meetings are pushing us to take the responsibility of the church in our hands. We should work to sensitize and mobilize the local churches as to the philosophy of how we work together now. The meetings also give us wisdom to look to strengthen our partnership with the Covenant."

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