We have had an overly exciting year with our Covenant Brethren Churches in East Africa.  Early in 2024, Dr. Lewis Pongo Umbe and Scott Kinnick planned how they would continue CBC’s ministry and seek God’s will for our work.  They planned a conference in Bujumbura, Burundi in June.  At this conference, they brought together thirty leaders from our C.B.C. Churches in D.R. Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and the new Churches from Burundi.  They spent the week planning and learning how to organize and manage the Churches.  God has called very capable leaders in each of the countries where our Churches are.  Dr. Umbe is in D.R. Congo, Dr. Samson is in Rwanda, Rev. George Wanjala is in Tanzania, and Rev. Niyonkuru Ezechiel is in Burundi.  Each of these nations is considered a Region in our denomination.  We also have Churches in Uganda, which are under the care of Dr. Samson. All agreed to have Dr. Umbe coordinate our ministers together.

After our Annual Meeting and Worship Conference, at Chiques Church, Scott received a call from Dr. Umbe. The government of D. R. Congo had sent us a letter stating they planned to revoke our registration. This action was aimed at several Christian denominations.  We reworked our by-laws and met with Government officials. This was a difficult process, and many Churches from other denominations were shut down. But, with God’s help and a lot of work, we were able to continue our ministry keeping all our Churches open. We continue our Church planting activity in D.R. Congo.

Rwanda has also implemented extremely strict guidelines and building codes that have shut down over seven thousand churches. It has been very difficult, but we continue to worship and are working hard for our government registration there.  Dr. Samson reminded Scott that the Church is in the heart, and not a building.  We will continue to push forward, with God’s help.

The Tanzanian government will require us to own property at our mother Church, which will be the last requirement for our registration there.  We are hopeful to make this happen soon, again with God’s help.  After all the difficulties, the CBC Churches are growing and expanding.  We now have fifty-one congregations in East Africa.

Burundi now has six Covenant Brethren Churches which are highly active.  The Region just had its annual meeting in November.  At their meeting they emphasize prayer.  They continue to teach to their membership CBC Statement of Faith, Church organization, and leadership.  They have been conducting evangelism events at the Churches. Visit hospitals and give aid to the people at the CBC Church in Gatumba. (which experienced extreme flooding).

We recently sent Dr. Umbe and Rev. Wanjala on a mission trip to Malawi. We have had communications with a Church there that is seeking CBC membership. The following is an excerpt from a report that Rev. Wanjala gave:

TESTIMONY.

1. On the journey to Lilongwe, we were blocked at various roadblocks several times, (The main issue was to block Pastor Lewis from DRC, but Pastor George could not leave Pastor Lewis behind, so we were both on the same trail). We were able to give out some funds for our release at every roadblock that we were blocked. The last time we were arrested, it was by 12:20 AM, it was about four hours to Lilongwe City, we were handcuffed and detained because we had run out of cash, God bless Paster Scott, he was able to send us some funds for the transport back, but we never turned back as we had agreed with him. We later got a bus heading to Lilongwe at 01:40 AM, we were able to reach Lilongwe at 05:20 AM.

We proceeded with the journey to Lilongwe with the little cash we had managed to keep for Emergencies. With that, we managed to stay in Lilongwe and obtain transport for here and there, food, and accommodation. We also managed to travel back to Tanzania, where we withdrew the cash that was sent to us by Pastor Scott. And with that, we managed to travel to our destinations. The Immigration officer who ordered our arrest later regretted and requested to be part of this great mission, he called on us several times to inquire about our well-being in Lilongwe, on our way back, pastor George offered him a flashlight (Torch) as a gift to show him Love and forgiveness. He then became a great friend to us.

2. While in Lilongwe, Dr. Pastor Lewis received an anonymous call from Mozambique requesting to work with CBC. We agreed and planned for the Mozambique Journey which we said would be done by pastor George from Tanzania as the neighboring country has no issues with the Tanzanians since the countries have a Good Diplomatic relationship

3. With very minimum cash with us, we managed to accomplish our mission and thus laid a foundation for the Malawi Church. God is good.

FINAL.

We thank God for the accomplishment of the mission and for everyone who stretched his/her hand to make this journey successful.

This Report was Compiled and documented by Pastor George Sikhila Wanjala Tanzania CBC Overseer and CBC-EAC General Secretary.
the righteous will live by his faith.”  Habakkuk 2:4b

The work of the Church has not been easy, but by God’s grace, we continue.  Many people are coming to salvation through Jesus Christ.  We give praise to God, He is good.

Pastor Scott Kinnick – National Executive Board Vice Chair