“Saying, Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done. Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.” Luke 22: 42-44 (NASB).
The Covenant Brethren Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo recently held a leaders’ conference in Bukavu involving eleven churches. The first day of the conference went well. There was much to discuss as the Nation has been experiencing war with a rebel group. Three of our Pastors have their Churches in occupied cities and have their congregations displaced. So, this conference was not only a time of planning, but a time when the Churches could come together to support each other. On the second day of the conference, we received disturbing news that the Rebel group had advanced into the City of Bukavu. It seemed that the Rebels overcame the Congolese army quickly and now our leaders are seeking safety inside our Church building, as the city suffers the chaos, we pray for their safety.
As we turn to the Bible and prayer for guidance. We learn that there are times of joy and times of hardships. God does not tell us that our lives as Christians will be easy. But He does teach us that He is with us and cares about us, even in the dangerous days that our Congolese Church is experiencing now. There are times of suffering. Such as when Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, there God sent an Angel to strengthen Him. (our Church where the conference was held is named Gethsemane). Also, when the disciples grieved at the death of Jesus on the cross, after which He rose from the dead. So, we pray for an Angel to strengthen our people, and we pray for safety. We place our faith in God. knowing that He cares about our people, and He has a purpose for His Church.
Scott Kinnick – CBC Exec. Board
