KINSHASA, Congo \u2013 It is a dark, occult-like world, but a Missouri pastor and his family took the message of Jesus\u2019 love to the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo during a recent mission trip.<\/p>\n
First Baptist, LaBelle, Pastor James Renot and family took a two-week trip in June to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, a place where they served as International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries from 2005-07. Now, few missionaries are there, with even IMB pulling out.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe obstacles are great,\u201d Renot said. \u201cThe average person lives on 50 cents a day. In the past, children were forced to serve as soldiers and women were systematically raped to keep them in line,\u201d Renot told a northeast Missouri Woman\u2019s Missionary Union event in August.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a strong Catholic presence,\u201d he said. \u201cThey are a superstitious people. Witch doctors play a huge part of that society. They live under the influence of cults like Islam, the Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses. The cults use church tradition or a source other than the Scriptures as their authority. They distorted the doctrines of the Scriptures, God, and salvation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many indigenous Protestant denominations have merged under government control, but the EBB, (an association of seven Baptist Churches, an independent Baptist church, and several on-going Bible studies) stayed autonomous.<\/p>\n
\u201cChurch members and even pastors questioned their beliefs as Baptists, and why they couldn\u2019t accept the baptism of a believer from another denomination or faith. A number of Baptist pastors are just that \u2013 in name only. They\u2019ve been looking for missionaries for a number of years and didn\u2019t know what to do. We told Bible stories the people could remember and share. Our pastor\u2019s training included an overview of Baptist doctrine and beliefs that distinguish Southern Baptists,\u201d Renot said. Some people prayed, surrendering their lives to Christ and were discipled on how to take their decision further.<\/p>\n
LaBelle Baptist Church is in the Mt. Salem\/Wyaconda Southern Baptist Association and has been joined by other churches in the association like Alexandria Baptist Church, which became a stateside partner for Mbenseki Baptist Church and school in Congo. Other Southern Baptists helped Delvo Baptist Church buy property for a future church building and school, while others began a chicken ministry \u2013 chickens for Congo Bible study members, and eggs for widows and families. The workers raised $2,000 for a church generator and lights.<\/p>\n
Renot assisted in two Congo pastor ordinations this summer, each lasting four-plus hours. While en route to one of those services, he stopped at a furniture store and led four people to Christ.<\/p>\n
Renot said one church had started with just a pastor who had been taught how to share Jesus. Pretty soon a few became Christians, then still others did the same. The pastor requested help because the church has grown to 110, Renot said.<\/p>\n
One church was so happy someone from this side of the world prayed for them and wanted the best for them. We could\u2019ve just said, \u2018Pray for Congo\u2019 and they would have been happy, Renot said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, churches there are growing \u2013 with schools. One reason missionaries start schools is because it improves their quality of life and gets them to read the Bible. In 2007, their prayer requests were about rapes, bombs and landmines. It\u2019s not so much that now. But there is still often just one meal a day.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Congo has other real issues. For example, electrical lines run on the ground and accidental electrocutions are common. Unemployment is 65 percent.<\/p>\n
\u201cWomen\u2019s lives in Congo are very hard and very sad,\u201d Renot said, adding that he encouraged men to carry water for the women. Still, the men balked.<\/p>\n
The Renots have a heart for the people of Congo, so they continue to help by making contacts with people in the United States who may be able to help.<\/p>\n
\u201cChurches need to be involved in missions,\u201d Renot said. \u201cNever underestimate the power of the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
KINSHASA, Congo \u2013 It is a dark, occult-like world, but a Missouri pastor and his family took the message of Jesus\u2019 love to the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo during a recent mission trip. First Baptist, LaBelle, Pastor James Renot and family took a two-week trip in June to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":12928,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":"","_wpscp_schedule_draft_date":"","_wpscp_schedule_republish_date":"","_wpscppro_advance_schedule":false,"_wpscppro_advance_schedule_date":"","_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"","_twitter_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type":"","_pinterest_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_selected_social_profile":[]},"categories":[41,8,10,15,16,17,18],"tags":[109],"yoast_head":"\n