Loko (October 2012)
“The church planting strategy has worked better for us than any other strategy that I have tried to implement in our church,” said Pastor Dumbuya of the Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone in Magboema Town. “In fact it has brought spiritual zeal in the lives of our church members making church planting an exciting part of our ministry. We experienced success the last time we worked together and I believe God will grant it to us again this time. I do thank you very much for being available to work with us in a second location.”
Pastor Dumbuya first learned about the strategy through another pastor whose members recently went through the training. He said that that pastor’s congregation experienced much growth because of this ministry. It had been his desire to plant many new churches in his area. They were able to plant two new churches in two consecutive months, one in Koroma Town and the other in Lukorky Village. “It is a tremendous blessing to us that you can freely offer your time and materials to us. We have little to give to you in return but God Almighty will surely bless you and the people who are sponsoring your ministry,” Pastor Dumbuya added.
In Kolifavil Village, Francis Koroma, a Baptist pastor, wanted the new church planting strategy mainly because most of the members in his church were not trained for church planting. “I’ve made several attempts to send them out for evangelism training but they returned confused and did not know what to say or do. However, I believe that with your training and help, they will understand and break through in Jesus’ Name,” said Pastor Koroma. Indeed, within the same month of training, they were able to start a church plant in Kabaka Village after showing the JESUS Film and doing follow-up.
Because of the effectiveness of the strategy, word is spreading among churches in the region. Hence, pastors eagerly welcome the JESUS Film Church Planting Strategy team when they are contacted to partner in ministry.
Rev. Foday is very grateful. “I have tried your program over and over again and it is really working for me effectively. I will continue to work with people by God’s grace as long as this program is in operation. It has actually made my work very, very easy. Thank you because you are always ready each time I call upon you,” he told the JESUS Film Church Planting Strategy team.
The strategy has resulted in 23 church plants in 14 months. The latest ones are located in towns or villages of Koroma, Kababa, Makendie, Lukorky, Lungi, Matetie, Wangay and Madora. The two pictures above are from Makendie and Madora.
