Kono (October 2012)

The JESUS Film Church Planting Strategy continues to gain acceptance among local pastors and churches in the Kono region. To date, 26 local churches have partnered with the JESUS Film Church Planting Strategy team. These churches have formed action groups and each has planted a new church. These local churches want to reproduce themselves even more.

“It has always been our heart’s desire to get this kind of program in this district,” said Pastor Komba Gborie of the Christ the King Mission in Dugbema Town. “This is timely and we are embarking on massive church planting in this district. Our aim is that each village or town will have a church. I believe with your involvement, this objective will be accomplished in Jesus’ name. We are ready to work with you,” he continued.

Pastor Shadrack of Christ Evangelical Ministries International in Koeyer Town gave similar feedback. “The first church planting is going to be the stepping stone to our long journey in spreading the gospel throughout the district. I pray that this program will be sustained for a longer period as I am aiming at strategic places to plant churches,” he commented.

“This kind of church planting strategy is highly needed here more especially the training of action group members to assist us in teaching new believers,” according to Pastor Steven Mbayo in Koeyor. “This is one of our greatest problems when new churches are planted,” he added referring to the lack of trained people who can teach and do follow-up.

Pastor Amos Mahoney from Koidu Town was very grateful. “Since I entered ministry, no Christian organization has ever come to my aid except your organization. I see your strategy as a blessing from God Himself. These days it is not easy to see a Christian organization come with their own materials and train people free of charge. I want to assure you that as of today, we have become partners in promoting the Kingdom of God.”

The training and the materials were indeed deemed very valuable by action group members. “I am full of joy for this training,” said Joseph Allie. “I want to be a preacher and this is the first step. The topics we dealt with helped me gain a much deeper understanding of God and His Word.”

“What we have learned here is surely going to be transferred to entire congregations,” said Sahr Allieu. “This training is very rich. I learned various methods of evangelism such as sharing my personal testimony, the use of the Road to Life booklet and the use of pictorial gospel illustrations. These combined really strengthened me the more. I want to thank you and I pray that such training will continue to be conducted in this district.”

New churches were planted in the villages of Quikma, Kongbar, Manjama, Yorkodu, Koeyordu, Koardu, and Dugbema since the last report.