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THE CONGO STORY by Brother Akpan Blessing Nice
On the 4th of July 2009, I embarked on a trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It was somehow a reluctant trip but my consolation was that I would be continuing to Lusaka, Zambia from there.
I was led of the Lord to visit DRC in 2006, and from that time I had visited the country more than any other country in Africa, but the work there seemed futile because they were doctrinally locked. Another problem was the believers were made to believe in some special elders of the Faith to whom they must submit themselves to in order they be called believers of the endtime message. It is the cultic spirit that was hard to break.
In 2008, I was in DRC for more than 3 months and the worst had happened. Having been rejected by the churches, I was to attend the Believer’s convention in Kampala, Uganda, but a brother, Bro. Andre Bitua, a notable preacher was at the airport to facilitate my trip. To me, he was the only one who would not allow doctrinal differences to tear us apart, but for how long, I did not know.
While we sat at the Presidential Wing of the airport waiting for the arrival of the plane, he engaged me in a discussion; it was about the RAPTURE, which I had preached in their local assembly.
I tried sincerely to explain that 1Thess.4:16 (…and with the trump of God) parallel 1Cor.15:52 (…at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed). And that the SHOUT, VOICE and TRUMP were phases of spoken word ministry that would manifest before the Rapture.
Bro. Bitua argued and told me that is not what it meant, and I knew why he said so. Due to the teaching of one European preacher, who is highly respected in Africa, teaching that the rapture will happen the way that traditional Christians believe; these Congolese believers just believe that the last TRUMP would be a big trumpeting NOISE.
A vast number of believers in Africa would never want to see the scripture beyond what they have been taught by the preacher whom they are holding in high esteem (“because of monetary availability” as uttered by some of the followers). Much as I appreciate this, let me also remind them that Apostle Paul had this to say, “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transfered to myelf and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in US not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another” (1Cor.4:6).
So it was that my dear brother rejected my explanation, and as I rose up to go, it crossed my mind that my ministry in Congo had come to its end without any result. Bro. Bitua held my hand and said “Bro. Nice, you are a good preacher and the people love you, but you must leave out doctrines if you are to preach here in Congo”.
I quietly walked away, knowing what that meant, but what is preaching to a church without doctrine, when not evangelizing.
Beloved saints of God, we serve a great God whose ways are past finding. Though I left disappointed and frustrated, God was not through with the land of Congo. Prior to this time, I had given Bro. Bitua some copies of ‘PROPHETIC REVELATION’ brochures. Somehow he started reading them, and as he studied through, he was asking questions. Though I never took him seriously, God was opening his eyes to TRUTH.
I had another opening to visit DRC but it did not move me. I casually told Bro. Bitua of my coming, and he did not ask me when, so I thought within me that I should make extra preparations to pass to Lusaka once I reached Congo.
On the 24th of July 2009, as I came out of the aircraft in Ngili airport in Kinshasa, I was not expecting anybody to come for me, but there was Bro. Bitua, all smiles, and looking very lively. He told me that “a preacher from France, Bro. Ndimba Jaen-Marie, had been preaching in Congo, and that he preaches just those things you preach, challenging our beliefs, but we are waiting for you because we have some questions”.
I was looking at him as if he was a television show. I could not believe what I was hearing. Then he started talking about things that the Lord had opened his eyes to, and encouraging me to preach boldly as he was going about creating opportunity for me to minister.
To my utmost surprise the ministers were already awaiting my coming, and the brother from Paris was there too. I was to minister the next day. It was great, though many could not bear what they heard but they had no choice. A dinner was arranged for the ministers by Bro. Jean-marie, and certain issues were brought up for discussion.
The pastors were asking, “where was Bro. Richard Gan when God was choosing Ewald Frank to be the faithful servant, who shall rule his household and give meat in due season?” There were too many factions and one of them said, “if they were there when God said so, and that Matt.24:45 was not a commission, but as Africans we have respect for those brothers who have laboured to bring the message to Africa.”
Many other sensitive issues were discussed. One most important doctrine was ‘POLYGAMY’. There were many amongst this particular group who are propagating this doctrine and having an indirect backing for “the preacher” they hold in high esteem. I requested them to ask in their next meeting that “this preacher” should call these men openly and tell them before all others that he is NOT backing their teaching and practice of Polygamy.
Well, that meeting had come and gone, but no such thing happened.
When my meetings were over, there was a big line of separation. For certain of them, the ministry of their ‘ruler’, the preacher they hold in high esteem, is not to be disputed, because it has a THUS SAITH THE LORD behind it, like that of the prophet of our age; so they believed, and so they feared.
My visa to DRC expired the same day I came in and it was not possible for me to leave without being fined, and I had to return home. I was at Bro. Bitua’s place when a pastor came to visit me, Bro. Yves Kalombo. He just asked about my visa if it needed extension, and my, was I surprised at God’s visitation. He paid for it and had it extended.
The next day, another brother who is the speaker of the House of Assembly DRC, and was in the church where I had preached, told me he had a burden and that he wanted to pay my flight to wherever I was going to next. Zambia was ready for me at last. God had to keep me so that I could prepare the ground for the coming of Bro. James Veremu of Zimbabwe.
Before my departure, Bro. Andre Bitua was possessed with a fire. He was studying and praying day and night. It was as if he had found something he lost that was so dear to him. He took me everywhere he went and he would deliberately just bring up questions that would take us into discussing important matters that were holding the believers bound, and God was with us in all our movements.
The morning of my departure to Lubumbashi, Bro. Bitua brought out some write-up to show me that he has started translating a particular message of Prophetic Revelation to French, and that he is seeking brothers in Congo who will sponsor the work. Immediately, I remembered the incident at the airport in Dec. 2008, and tears ran down my cheek, he was confused as to why, but then something inside said “now your ‘barren’ ministry in Congo has reached its end”. The years of ministering of the Word is now bearing fruit.
Truly, one with God is a majority.
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnessses, commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Tim.2:2)
May the Lord bless you all richly in Christ Jesus. Amen
Bro. Blessing Akpan NICE |