Kono (April 2013)
“On behalf of our church, we want to thank you for your unique work in the body of Christ,” Pastor Francis K. Bockarie told the JESUS Film Church Planting Strategy (JFCPS) team. “This strategy has really changed our perception of church planting. If we had been using this kind of church planting strategy in the past, I believe this entire district could have been reached for the Lord by now. Nevertheless, this is the right time for this to happen. We are extremely grateful for the training and the free materials that you will provide to help us to successfully plant new churches. I also believe these will help our members to grow spiritually and to mature in the things of God,” he added.
Pastor Bockarie leads the New Apostolic Church in Koidu Town. He selected seven people from his church to attend a four-day Action Group training immediately followed by an outreach to Gbeaya.
A trainee, Doris Musa stated, “I was eager to know what the training would be like. You have taught many important spiritual truths about God I never knew before.” She was impacted by the illustration, in the church planting discipleship lessons for illiterates, of a man who was struggling to carry a load on his head while riding a truck. “That is how we sometimes behave in our Christian life. We do not want to depend on God to help us accomplish His work, but feel that we need to do things in our own strength,” Doris continued.
When their Action Group showed the JESUS film in Gbeaya, about 250 villagers came out to watch and 54 prayed to receive Christ. Twenty-three people committed to follow-up and are now part of a church plant in the area. Doris, mentioned above, was one of the Action Group members discipling new believers.
Another church planted was recently started in Boroma Village by the Action Group from New Harvest Ministry in Koidu Town. “I am very happy for this new strategy,” exclaimed Pastor Joseph Moigowa, pastor of New Harvest. “It is a simple strategy for church planting. I think we will be able to plant many churches together.”
One of his church members who received training commented about being revived spiritually. “My spiritual life has now taken an upward turn,” said David Mambu. “The teaching about the Holy Spirit blessed me very much. I used to have little knowledge about the Holy Spirit and His work, but I thank God that you helped me understand that He is the One that gives me power to live a victorious Christian life.”
Recent church plant locations, in addition to Gbeaya and Boroma villages, are Koidu City, Yomandu Town, Koidu Town, Foakor Village, Bosadu Village, Tongoma Village, Kpetewama Village, Tombodu Village, Bakundu Village and Bendu New Site. Twelve church plants were initiated in six months.
