Plentiful works few workers

Humanism and secularism

The ACSI office in the democratic Republic of Congo is improving and searching to establish a culture of continuous improvement among protestant and private schools.  this trimester the Lord Jesus Christ blessed us in a mighty way to accomplish so many things in record time.  dr. makhado re-opened the activities by organizing school coordinators (Provincial school superintendents) training about Christian schools and awareness in secularism agenda to take over children mind. 

all coordinators signed up a declaration to put in place strategies to protect Christian’s schools in the country.  furthermore, the office in D R C organizes several other trainings and visits in the schools and office. 

IMPROVEMENT & QUALITY EDUCATION

Director and Mr. Papy Mboyo are putting in place a strategic plan for improvement of education in Community Baptist of River Congo where Mr. Mboyo is community coordinator.  moreover, he discussed with Gregroire that on November, all coordinators and schools lead will meet to study how they should develop the protestant schools improvement plan and the second phase each school will develop its own plan.  at the end both agreed to introduce the English Foreign Language curriculum in the protestant schools and we decided to start by September 2016 but teachers and school leader will be trained in July 2016, and schools that would participate will be required to get materials by May 2016.  in summary this will generate funds to the office and improve the quality of education in our schools. 

Samuel Levi college bought a series of English Foreign language books and the school introduce it as innovation and new program for students from kindergarten to 6^th grade (end of primary school instead of 5^th as in USA).  the extra copies of teacher manuals were introduced to sources de vie Christian school whom the teachers attended the training on August 26 to 27 how to teach English as foreign language. 

the director will monitor teachers who are using the materials (books), and he is projecting more training in teaching English as foreign language, and establishing a program with partnership with some USA university who are willing to send their TESOL program students in internship in d r Congo. 

Kinshasa Christian School organized teachers professional development before the beginning of the school year 2015- 2016.  KCS is organizes all education in English and it is led by a group of professional educators from USA and Congo.  there are 50 students from K-12, it is new school and it is improving and growing up.  The Director attended the professional development and led two session on Christian school and presentation of ACSI. 

for the improvement of education in Democratic Republic of Congo, Professor Masiala Masolo, head of high education in Eglise du Christ au Congo have been working for the establishment of school education at University Protestant in Congo.  During the executive Committee of ECC this summer, it has been recommended to the synod of 2016 for approval.  Keep pray for this faculty of Christian Education in Congo.

Moreover, during the staff meeting that Dr Samson Makhado attended Prof. Masiala Masolo positively talked about the director effort for the establishment of Christian education school in the country.  Please keep pray that director continue with his studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Pray that he can get scholarship to pursue these studies.  He is researching in transforming high education systems.   

TRAINING IN CONGO BRAZZAVILLE: NEW Opportunity

Plantation Christian School located in Pointe Noire at Congo Brazzaville or Republic of Congo and belongs to Christian Alliance and Mission in Republic of Congo.  It will starts the activity this October 03, 2015, it organized teachers training from September 14 to 17, 2015, and it will be led by Mr. Bemba Ganga as Director of the schools. 

The director went there and led four sessions: 1. Presentation of ACSI; 2. Foundation of Christian Education; 3. SPIRITUAL Formation of the teachers; 4. Preparation of lesson (Lesson planning) and biblical integration. sixteen teachers attended the TRAINING AND two came from OYO in the Province of Cuvette that means more than 1,000 km from Pointe noire.  perspective: after the conference the director, Mr. Bemba ganga and Celestin from Oyo met and planned for next training would be held at Oyo in the province of cuvette and Mr. Celestin is in charge to invite all educators in the region and send invitation for the director to get ready and get the visa in USA before travelling back in Kinshasa. 

Prayer request

for the OFFICE OF Central Africa

1.      Thank God for his goodness and mercy for the wedding of DIDI Munzudi, office assistant

2.      Peace and collaboration among the workers and coordination

3.      Good health for all worker

4.      UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEW STRATEGIES FOR THE EFFECTIVENESS WORKS OF ACSI IN D R CONGO

5.      WISDOM AND COURAGE TO CONTINUE THE WORKS IN D R CONGO AND CENTRAL AFRICA REGION

6.      EXPANSION OF THE ELEPHANT PROJECT (2^ND PHASE)

7.      BASIC ASSESSMENT IN FEBRUARY 2016

PARTNERSHIP

8.      BIBLE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL

9.      CHRISTIAN REFORMED WORLD MISSIONS, ETC…

ECC & Democratic Republic of Congo President and his staff

1.      GOOD HEALTH FOR ALL LEADERS OF THE NATION (CHURCHES AND STATE)

2.      SYNOD 2016 FOR THE APPROVAL OF SCHOOL OF EDUCATION IN UPC

3.      the election of new ECC leaders next year;

4.      peace and dialogue in the country

5.      good will from the current president to accept to pass on the power to other leaders;

6.      economic growth and social life of the population; improvement of education system in the entire country;

7.      organization of the national association of Christian schools in D R Congo and other central Africa nations

CENTRAL AFRICA REGION

8.      Jean Christophe Huet as he is travelling the region and making contact with the school leaders in the central Africa region. 

9.      pray for Congo Brazzaville as we are reaching out to the different schools organized in the country that God opens the door for us

10. pray for the visit that Director is projecting for February in Gabon  

11. Pray for the organization of Central Africa

Global Christians News

Global Christians' News

This year was wonderful year and the Lord our God blessed us and help our French ministry to grow and restructure.  In June 2015, Rev. Mitogo’s family, Pastor Ulrich Tsoumou and other French speakers’ family decided to organize French service at 610, 52^nd Street SE, Kentwood MI 49548.  The Lord bless us as we started and growing for the first year and many other families are joining us.  Currently, the French service is composed of people from Conakry Guinea, Cameroun, Chad, Gabon, Republic of Congo- Brazzaville and Democratic Republic of Congo. 

The first year, we meet every Saturday from 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm just for praying and Sunday from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm.  The second year we changed the strategy and adopted the early church strategy that they met in the house and praying and breaking bread.  Since June 2016, we organize prayer and fellowship in people house.  The number of participated grow and we strongly bind as congregation.   Our worship service change since we receive a gospel talented singers from D R Congo, Stephane Matondo and Artony Lubanzadio. 

Meanwhile, our women ministry led the Christmas celebration under the leadership of Rev. Fran Mbumba.  It organized the women monthly’s meeting, and baby shower for some of the women who were pregnant and had baby.   It is planning to organize food pantry and thrift store for the new comers.   This year we received four family from D R Congo who immigrate in United States of America as permanent those who have been granted this statute through lottery.  This program is called “the Father House” as we are welcoming people and mobilize congregation to bring whatever they have to support them. 

Many of the family responded and brought clothes for children, women and men which have been distributed to them.   We are so grateful that most of them got job and were able to save and to move to their personal apartment.  We hope they will be self-sufficient soon.   We are planning to open guest house for the newcomers, food pantry and thrift store.  In addition, we are planning to launch English Second Language program as evangelism strategy.  Therefore, we will adopt Literacy Evangelism ESL program.   Please pray for us as the Lord call us to serve him with the resources we have. 

The ministry of Global Christians value missions, world evangelism, and equip the servants around the world.  This past summer, Rev. Fran Mbumba Mitogo and Myriam were invited in Europe (Belgium, United Kingdom and France) to lead conference and spiritual retreat.  Rev. Mitogo Opira as he is serving in the Central Africa as educator leader led conferences in Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo, Libreville- Republic of Gabon and Kinshasa- Democratic Republic of Congo.   We are planning to build website which could lodge schools from Central Africa Region and train teachers to build capacity of using new technology of information as tool for instruction and learning.  Hence, we hope to have office and capacity to build website here in Michigan for them.  This may generate income for the ministry. 

In year 2017 the Lord our God convinces us that it is glorious year for those who stand with Almighty in their life.  Pastor Ulrich Tsoumou will be ordained in the ministry of the words on March 19, 2017 by Evangelical Church of Gabon and Global Christians Ministry.  In January- February 2017 Rev. Mitogo Opira will lead Christian Educators’ Leadership conference in Libreville, Gabon and Teachers training in September 2017.  Meanwhile, this summer is “Empowering Rural Teachers” goal, and we will distribute thousand toothbrushes and reading glasses in two provinces: Congo Central and Mai Ndombe provinces of Democratic Republic of Congo.

Thank you for your prayers and supports

News From Central Africa

News from the heart of Africa: New Assignment

Grace and peace be with you from our God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I am back in the United since May 19, 2016, and I had the wonderful time in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Many of you received the letter from the Association of Christian Schools international regarding my relationship with the association.  Furthermore, I will like to inform you regarding my new assignment in the D R Congo and what are the positions that I will be occupied in the region from now on. 

Last springs, I had a wonderful time in D R Congo where I visited schools and seated in the strategic meetings with ECC (Church of Christ in Congo), ACSI and German organization… It was restructuring meeting and the new avenue for the association.   

Moreover, on May 7, 2016, I led the Christian educators’ prayer day.  Since 2015 I introduce the nation a day of prayer that the Christian educators gather to pray for each other.  The goal is to build a network of mutual spiritual support in the nation.

As I am continuing to serve Christian educators in Central Africa Region, I informed the association that it should not reach on you.  All of your donation should be send to Global Christians network Institute or GCN Institute on 347, 60^th Street SE, Kentwood, MI 49548.  All donation is tax-deductible and you will receive our trimester newsletter and connect you to Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GlobalChristiansNetworkInstitute and blogs https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4605427885875176245#editor/target=post;postID=8763845270855294780  All of your donation will be processed by Global Christians Network Institute which is 501c3 USA nonprofit organization and incorporated in the States of Michigan.  The association and I will cooperate with them through the Africa office, and I will continue to lead the action in the field as needed under GCN Institute…

I will continue working in D R Congo and Central Africa and I am major assignment is the establishment of the college of education for in-service teachers and prospective teachers that should be recruited, and I will more focus in the high education and teachers training.  In the ground, currently eighty percent of the teachers should retire but the government as the churches do not have adequate funds available.  Meanwhile, there is great need of qualified teachers for quality education in the D R Congo.  Since last year, I am one of the educators who are preparing the school of education and we are planning to start in 2017.  In the near future, I will inform you more about this project.  

This year, the executive synod of the Church of Christ in Congo agreed during its meeting on March 2016, and recommended the college of education for approval at the synod 2016, which will be organized in August 2016, and I will address the synod regarding the organization the reason of this college of education in D R Congo, which will be serving all of the French Central African nations.   The College of education will be housed legally at the Protestant University of Congo, and it will organize around the country.  Most of the high educators will meet this fall in Kinshasa, and they will discuss and strategize about it.  Please pray for this project that is changing from professional development to classic teachers training. 

Furthermore, my schedule and involvement this coming summer and fall in Central Africa Region will be with the schools and the ground organization and schools’ structure in the Central Africa nations.  Such as this September 2016, I would have teachers training about “school improvement” in Congo Brazzaville in collaboration of Global Christians Network and the schools in Pointe Noire, Congo Brazzaville.  In the beginning, of September I will participate in high education Christian universities conference in Kinshasa.  From August 20 to 30, I will attend the national synod of the Church of Christ in Congo, which it is elective and the current bishop is not a candidate to his succession.  From July 14 to 22, 2016 I should attend the protestant schools superintendent consultation which will be held at Kisangani, in the North East of D R Congo. 

I need your prayers and supports for this coming year and fulfillment of the project of the school of education.  Thank you and I am looking forward to meeting with you again and thank you for your supports. 

Pray with us:

1.     I am preparing to participate in the national School superintendents in July 2016 in Kisangani and the participants will discuss the quality education for the protestant schools in D R Congo from 2017 to 2022

2.     This summer the Church of Christ in Congo will elect new Bishop.  Join them and pray for God appointed and chosen leader to lead the church for the next five years

3.     Starting this September my main assignment is the strategize and organize the college of education at Protestant Congo University

4.     Collaboration between primary, secondary schools and high education bureau

5.     All support needed to fulfill this assignment

6.     Construction of the local for the college of Christian education by 2020

7.     Recruitment of the staff and professors for the college

8.     My family and I as I will have to be more permanent in D R Congo than the USA

9.  for my daughter who is in high school

Thank you for your support 

Annually Dinner

Thanksgiving

join us on December 16, 2015 for Ministry report dinner  

We are so grateful to all of our partners around the world who are supporting us and constantly are praying for us.  This year we organized several activities, started the French Ministry and international family conference.  All of these were by God's grace and power.

In the beginning of the year 2015, we gathered at the Africa Community church to pray aand asked God to use us as he wants and take us wherever he would like.  From March 2015 to June 2015 the ministry of Global Christian Network Institute held the family night that the participants learned about the family and holiness.  We are so grateful to Ms. Ruth Veltkamp who led the series of teaching about forgiveness and holiness.  Rev. Mrs. Anne N. Ponzi instructed series on communication and saintete, and Rev. Mitogo Opira developed on happiness in the family.  God blessed each one of the participants to acquire new concept about the family.


The Summer of 2015 was mission or missionary summer that means the ministry of Global Christians Network joined with the African partners and held the women conferences in Kinshasa.  Ms. Ruth Veltkamp and Mrs. Fran Mbumba traveled to Kinshasa in Democratic Republic of Congo to teach groups of women for ten days.  Thousands of women came to the meetings in Lisala, Mombele, and Kumbi- N'djili Q 13.  The United States delegations led by Rev. Fran Mbumba and Ms. Ruth Veltkamp witnessed to African Baptist Women who gathered from July 1 to 4 at CBFC- Lisala the theme was "Women of Character" as developed during the women conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  The same theme was developed at CBB- Mombele and CBFC- Kumbi

We are so thankful and looking forward ministering with you next year 2016

2015: January to June 2015

News from Kinshasa

I made home safely Wednesday, May 06 2015 night, and I am praising God who took me to D R Congo again to serve him and his people in my motherland.  According to the work calendar produced by Central Africa and DR C office two trainings and meetings with schools' leaders were scheduled during this trip. 

Training in Lubumbashi, Katanga & Kinshasa

Lubumbashi in Katanga province was the first target for training: Rev. Romain Mulumba went there and more than seventy people attended the training and the introduction presentation about ACSI and Christian Schools.  All of the expenses were covered by the school in Lubumbashi and it was a wonderful experience to reach out in the southwest side of the country. 

The second training held in Kinshasa at Samuel Levi.  59 teachers and schools staffs attended the training which was based in introduction in ACSI, in other words, what it is ACSI, what we believe and do.  The attendees reviewed the three modules of the elephant’s project that means Rev. Mitogo taught the fundament of Christian Education, Spiritual formation and philosophy of Education. 

Exploring Kongo Central Province

Route de Matadi 

Route de Matadi 

At Boma in the province of Kongo Central there were two important missions to accomplish:  First step was to meet with the president of Christian Alliance University in Boma, that it is located at 700 Km from Kinshasa.  Finally I had to set up training program with the coordinators of schools in the area. 

First step, I met with Rev. Ngoma Nzita, the president of UAC, we discussed the opportunity to incorporate the eight modules to prepare chaplains for the region, and the collaboration that should exist between ACSI DR C office and the University, as it is preparing to start the college of education.  In sum we established a principle to work together in the coming year to prepare teachers and school leaders for the Bas Fleuve region (Bas Fleuve region is located after Matadi going toward the boarder of Angola), and D R Congo in general. 

Rev Lubika, Assistant Prof. of Worship and Practical

Elementary School "Children of Sarah" in Boma 

Finally, I met the president and schools coordinator of Evangelical Community of Christian Alliance in Congo (CEAC).  Together we agree in the collaboration and training of the majority of teachers to understand the ministry of ACSI in D R Congo, and we planned for potential training for next summer especially from July 10 to 17, 2015.  For membership contribution with the coordinator we put a strategy for next year and to be more efficient by reaching more of the protestant schools in the province, the coordinator advised to meet with the provincial coordinator, Mr. Bungena in Matadi.  I set up appointment to meet with him in Mbanza Ngungu. 

Next trip in Kongo Central Province was to meet with the provincial coordinator and the Baptist Community coordinator in Mbanza Ngungu.  Unfortunately, Mr. Bungena was busy to prepare the state exams, and also it was raining he could not come to Mbanza Ngungu, Kongo Central province from Kimpese.  Therefore, I spoke and set an agreement with the CBFC schools coordinator and charged him to talk to other school leaders from the region about ACSI; and I promise to follow up with him during the vacation period, which it is from July 02 to September 03.  Mbanza Ngungu is located at 150 km of Kinshasa and takes 6 hours to get there from public transportation if it does not rain and the traffic is opened. 

National Association of Christian Schools

Mrs & Mr Kalume, Samuel Levi 

 I had opportunity to gather some of the school leaders and we talked about the creation and organization of the National Association of Christian Schools in D R Congo.  During the meetings the participants recommended that director to pursue conversation with the lawyer Augustin Tshakeni whom I personally met and discuss all legal requirements to organize an organization in D R Congo.  We conclude to continue the conversation during my next trip or during summer. 

National Christian Educators’ Day: May 02, 2015 

Participants of the first Celebration of Christian Educators' Day 

On May 02, 2015 forty-six Christian educators from different schools in Kinshasa gathered in local church of CBFC- Lisala to pray and meditate the word of God.  The ceremony was led by Rev. Romain Mulumba and Rev. Mitogo Opira who preached about Unity.  This is the first ceremony and all of attendees wished to have it again next years.  Therefore the first Saturday of the month of May 2016 all Christian educators in D R Congo will celebrate a special day for Christian educators.  I am thinking to make it a celebration day for prayer and encouragement.

Meeting with ECC’s Schools leaders

Under the leadership Justin Lubaki the current ECC Kinshasa province schools coordinator we discussed the issue of schools contribution.  During the meeting, I requested that each coordinator should deposit their contribution to the ACSI office instead of sending to the provincial office, and the amount current must be revisited and determined to allow the ACSI office to properly function, and it will be better to fix it before the next school year.  We did not conclude the discussion but we have to continue it this summer. 

Upcoming event

1.    July 10 to 25, 2015: Schools leaders Introduction to ACSI and Training in the first book (Module 1 to 3) at Boma, Kongo Central Province

2.    July meeting with school leaders to discuss the membership and National Association

3.    August 3 to 7, 2015: Missionary Conference at Ark of Covenant Church

4.    August : High Education Conference in Uganda

5.    August 16 to 22: Coordinators meeting with Samson Makhado

6.    August 28 to 29: First Bible Camp for students
   September 05 to 10, 2015: Church Leaders Conference at Bolobo, Bandundu

7.    September 12, 2015: Opening service of School year 2015- 2016

8.    September 15, 2015: Returning to USA

GRATITUDE

GRATITUDE

Gavin and I are explaining the next step of the elephant Project 

This year 2014 has been wonderful year and brought a lot of experiences in my personal life and family.  It was not easy but excited to see God's hand among His people, in Africa, especially in D R Congo.  the future looks bright for the elephant project in D R Congo and developing world as Association of Christian Schools International is projecting in the near future to expand it to the rest of the world.

Mike Epp, Global vice president is explaining the situation of ACSI 

Mike & Cindy Epp and Laci visited the France office 

when I was there meeting with Daniel Neuhaus and J C Huet

I am learning from Daniel Neuhaus of ACSI- France 

The Lord our God blessed us this year with the gift of life and safety.  I spent seven months away from my family, and I attended most of the meetings scheduled for ACSI leaders around the world.  It was fruitful for me to spend a time under the leadership of Mr. Daniel Neuhaus, ACSI Francophone leader, and for three days I learned how ACSI works and how to develop office in D R Congo.  Furthermore, Jean Christophe Huet and I organized the works in Central Africa region.  In addition, we agreed that I have to focus in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as J C Huet will visit and report to me the works in the region. At the end of August 2014, I spent a week with Dr, Samson Makhado in South Africa to discuss about the region and learn him what is his vision of education for all Africa that means what impact the Christian education will have in young Africa's life.

Dr. Ken Coley in Kinshasa during the August session on Leadership

Participants 

Moreover, the year 2014 was the launching of the Elephant Project.  First of all it is crucial to understand the Elephant Project, and I will introduce you briefly to the pilot program and finally I will present the projection and strategies to expand the project in the country and other parts of the Region.  The Elephant Project is educational project to equip teachers and schools leaders from the developing countries.  For the moment it started in D R Congo last July 2014, and it will be run for two (2) years in the pilot schools.  The next step is to train teachers, especially lead-teachers from the pilot schools, and trainers who will carry on the training in other nations.

Trainers meeting after the July Training 

Last January and February, a group of 25 schools was selected to participate in the elephant projects and they are the pilot schools.  The researcher's assistants visited the all twenty-five schools and they conducted the baseline assessment and school evaluation.  On July and August 122 schools leaders and teachers from private and protestant schools attended the training.  It was a wonderful experience for the school leaders in D R Congo and many of them stated that most of the educational concepts introduced are new to them, and tremendously they embraced them with the intention to incorporate them in their daily duties at schools.

Family is so grateful to you all who support us in this assignment to train and equip men and women of God in the schools in D R Congo and Central Africa Region 

My gratitude is to all of Fuller avenue Christian Reformed Church at Grand Rapids, Michigan, Church of the Servant, Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Eglise du Christ au Congo, especially to Bishop Idore Nyamuke and Rev. Lala Unsi who accepted me as one of them, and gave me the opportunity to serve, and minister to teachers and school leaders.  My gratitude is also to Bible League International who devoted themselves to provide Bible and English materials for schools in D R Congo, especially for those of Kinshasa, Bandundu and Bas Congo provinces.

The extension of this work in all Central Africa region requires many people involved, and significant financial support.  More than 48 Congolese educators signed up to become trainers in elephant project, and to carry on the training into other part of the country and entire Central Africa Region.  This effort will need significant financial support to get all of these people involve and take the training in rural and urban areas.  Therefore, I need your prayers that God provides and equip His servants to grow His Kingdom, and any dollars given will be used to take the training where it must go.  I believe in the next five years many villages and cities will be reached and teachers from all of these environment will be equip as it attend too.

January Report

Thank you so much for praying and supporting the works of Association of Christian Schools International in Democratic Republic of Congo (ACSI- DRC).  The Lord has been with us in Congo and we did what it was above our expectation and plan.  We had Philip Project, Bible distribution, Baseline Assessment training, and English teachers.  God provided from all of our needs and equip teachers and volunteers to sustain the work that we are doing in D R Congo.  

During the month of January we had Philip Project more than 30 chaplains attended the training and got involve in the project.  Currently we received 48,000 Bibles from Bible League International and we are distributing them to schools and churches.   

We had a wonderful time during the baseline assessment training with the twelve research assists who were recruited and are diligently fulfilling their duty.  During the week of February 3 to 

Rev. Mitogo T. Opira

4810 Stauffer Avenue

Kentwood, MI 49508

Home: 616 855 2154

Cell: 616 272 2232