The Lighthouse Volume 2 – Issue 31 Special Edition on Chad May 2016

MISSION WORK REPORT – BENINSPECIAL EDITION

HIGHLIGHTING THE WORK IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN NATION

OF CHAD

THE REPUBLIC OF CHAD The Benin Bible Training Center had been serving as a regional preacher training school of the Churches of Christ in French-speaking Africa for the past 21 years. Most of the time our report is based mainly on what I, George Akpabli and my team mates in Benin do. I want to dedicate this special edition to the work of the BTC graduates in the Republic of Chad. We have so far trained 10 preachers for this central African nation. From time to time, I do get reports from our graduates in the various countries. This month, I got two reports that I have to share with you all. First one is from Djonga Feltoing and the second one is from Enoch. The brief country profile below is from the Wikipedia Webb site.

Chad is a landlocked country in northern Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest and Niger to the west. It is the fifth largest country in Africa in terms of area.

Chad has several regions: a desert zone in the north, an arid Sahelian belt in the center and a more fertile Sudanian Savanna zone in the south. Lake Chad, after which the country is named, is the largest wetland in Chad and the second-largest in Africa. N'Djamena, the capital, is the largest city. Chad is home to over 200 different ethnic and linguistic groups. Arabic and French are the official languages. Islam and Christianity are the most widely practiced religions.

Religion Chad is a religiously diverse country. The 1993 census found that 54% of Chadians were Muslim (of these, according to a Pew report 48% professed to be Sunni, 21% Shia, 4% Ahmadi and 23% just Muslim). Of the others, 20% were Roman Catholic, 14% Protestant, 10% animist, while 3% did not profess any religion. None of these religious traditions are monolithic. Animism includes a variety of ancestor and place-oriented religions whose expression is highly specific. Islam is expressed in diverse ways; for example, according to the Pew report mentioned earlier 55% of Muslim Chadians belong to Sufi orders. Christianity arrived in Chad with the French and American missionaries; as with Chadian Islam, it syncretizes aspects of pre-Christian religious beliefs. Muslims are largely concentrated in northern and eastern Chad, and animists and Christians live primarily in southern Chad and Guéra. The constitution provides for a secular state and guarantees religious freedom; different religious communities generally co-exist without problems. Religion in Chad (Pew Research)

Religion Percent Muslim 55% Catholic 22% Protestant 18% None 3% Folk 1% Other 1%

The majority of Muslims in the country are adherents of a moderate branch of mystical Islam (Sufism). Its most common expression is the Tijaniyah, an order followed by the 35% of Chadian Muslims which incorporates some local African religious elements. A small minority of the country's Muslims hold more fundamentalist practices, which, in some cases, may be associated with Saudi-oriented Salafi movements.

Roman Catholics represent the largest Christian denomination in the country. Most Protestants,

2 The Lighthouse including the Nigeria-based "Winners Chapel", are affiliated with various evangelical Christian groups. Members of the Bahá'í and Jehovah's Witnesses religious communities also are present in the country. Both faiths were introduced after independence in 1960 and therefore are considered to be "new" religions in the country.

Chad is home to foreign missionaries representing both Christian and Islamic groups. Itinerant Muslim preachers, primarily from Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, also visit. Saudi Arabian funding generally supports social and educational projects and extensive mosque construction.

Economy The United Nations' Human Development Index ranks Chad as the seventh poorest country in the world, with 80% of the population living below the poverty line. The GDP (Purchasing power parity) per capita was estimated as US$1,651 in 2009.

Over 80% of Chad's population relies on subsistence farming and livestock raising for its livelihood. The crops grown and the locations of herds are determined by the local climate. In the southernmost 10% of the territory lies the nation's most fertile cropland, with rich yields of sorghum and millet. In the Sahel only the hardier varieties of millet grow, and these with much lower yields than in the south. On the other hand, the Sahel is ideal pastureland for large herds of commercial cattle and for goats, sheep, donkeys and horses. The Sahara's scattered oases support only some dates and legumes. Chad's cities face serious difficulties of municipal infrastructure; only 48% of urban residents have access to potable water and only 2% to basic sanitation.

A speaker speaking at the lectureship

Map of Africa with the Republic of Chad in green Demographics Chad's national statistical agency projected the country's 2015 population between 13,630,252 and 13,679,203, with 13,670,084 as its medium projection; based on the medium projection, 3,212,470 people lived in urban areas and 10,457,614 people lived in rural areas. The country's population is young: an estimated 47.3% is under 15. The birth rate is estimated at 42.35 births per 1,000 people, the mortality rate at 16.69. The life expectancy is 47.2 years. Urban life is concentrated in the capital, whose population is mostly engaged in commerce. The other major towns are Sarh, Moundou, Abéché and Doba, which are considerably smaller but growing rapidly in population and economic activity. Since 2003, 230,000 Sudanese refugees have fled to eastern Chad from war-ridden Darfur. With the 172,600 Chadians displaced by the civil war in the east, this has generated increased tensions among the region's communities. Polygamy is common, with 39% of women living in such unions. This is sanctioned by law, which automatically permits polygamy unless spouses specify that this is unacceptable upon marriage. Ddjonga Feltoing is one of the main leaders in the Chadian brotherhood. He graduated from BTC in May 2001 and is located in the second largest city of Moundou. He preaches on the radio and is heavily involved in the work of the French World Bible School.

3 The Lighthouse

In the picture is Djonga Feltoing at the point

of baptizer a new believer.

O happy day, for this young man

Baptism in Chad. How do we caption this photo?

Participants in a Bible lectureship.

New converts in Christ

Preparing for a meeting with the lady

prisoners

Daniel teaching the Bible to male prisoners.

A REPORT FROM DJONGA SENT TO WORLD RADIO IN WEST MONROE,

LUISIANNA We continue with the series of sermons which are provocative leading us to answer direct questions of our listeners. We review the subjects we had preached on and we ask them to write us messages on their phones. This method is very fruitful for us because it allows us to teach them in a short time Bible truths that they do not understand. From March through April, 2016, we received and answered 92 questions from our radio listeners. Many radio listeners was satisfied with

4 The Lighthouse our answers. The questions which keep coming on salvation, the multiplicity of Churches, confession of sins in the ear of leaders, polygamy, baptism. During March and April, 2016, sixty-five (65) persons registered to study the Bible with us, among whom were 6 prisoners. The total number of our correspondence course students in Moundou has risen to 2,666 persons. One of our radio listeners accepted the Gospel to become a convert to Christ, having understood the Gospel, he was baptized on March 13th, 2016! His name is Mbaïhondoum Francis. We do visit the local prison to speak to the prisoners every three weeks to motivate them and to answer their questions. On April 8th, 2016, the prisoners in Moundou correction center went on demonstration. They burned the sick bay, the shop, the secretariat, and the office of the sociologist! One of the prisoners was shot dead and 18 were badly hurt with three now under intensive care. Glory be to God that none of our correspondents was harmed. The reason for their demonstration is due to mistreatment, lack of water, and long delays in forwarding their judicial files by authorities to court. Now, peace has returned there and I count it a favor of God, to resume work with them soon! I ask you to continue praying always for this great ministry, so that God opens the heart of those who listen to the gospel truth and also pray for the improvement of the material condition of the Church. We ask that God blesses the leadership World Radio Ministries and that He blesses all those who support this work. In Christ, Djonga Feltoing

REPORT FROM BTC GRADUATE ENOCH

MBAIHODOUM Here is his description of a new church planning in Walla, N’Djamena

1) ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS A week before the date fixed for the establishment, the Church mandated two brothers

with the mission for informing the leader of the District of the beginning of the Church in his neighborhood; they are MENGA Justin and KILBE Jérémie. These two went and informed him about our intensions. This notable reassured us that the Church is an instrument of education and as a result, he agrees with our mission.

2) EVANGELISATION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD

This was a work initiated by Brother FOBA VINCENT during several months before all the members of the congregation got involved, this work covers a period of three months at least. But a week before Sunday 12/9/2015, the date fixed the first worship, a team composed of 12 persons went to the home of Brother EMMA. The purpose of this work was not only to make known to the population the establishment of the Church in the District but also to introduce Christ and to invite many persons to attend the first worship. More than 200 persons were contacted, 45 confirmed the arrival but 18 came. Also it is necessary to note that this Assembly meets in the home of Brother EMMA in full agreement with all the family members. 3) The first worship service Having put everything in order, worship is celebrated on Sunday, December 09th, 2015 from 9.00 am till 11.00 am. Attendance: Men 22; Women 8; Children 7 Total 37 During worship, several questions were asked on the following points: - The origin of the Church of Christ; - The faith that saves; - The different aspects of Christian worship; - The abrogation of the Law of Moses and several others.

Church leaders in Chad

5 The Lighthouse NB: The Evangelist FOBA Vincent is made responsible for leading this assembly in the whole truth. REMARK: As any human work, we have huge difficulties of divers order: - As human being: several brothers were not interested the evangelization efforts because of illness and various pre occupations; - Equipment: the insufficiency of teaching aids; like Bibles and New Testaments - Suggestion: any help with any of the aforementioned difficulties will be the welcome.

Some of the ladies of the church in Chad

REPORT OF THE 3RD ANNUAL BIBLE

CONFERENCE IN CHAD - MARCH 31ST TO APRIL 3RD, 2014 IN BISSO (PALA).

The conference regrouped 18 local assemblies of the Church of Christ in the country, 16 trained Evangelists were present with 6 absent. 1) Geographical location The village Bisso is located in the District of Lagong, which is located 57 kilometer east of Pala, county seat of the province of West Moya kebbi. The Church is in Bisso is established more than 14 years ago. 2) Difficulties of the population Water: The village does not have potable drinking water. We used this dirty water during the 4 days but we did not develop any main incident, except some cases of cold and none of the dreaded diarrhea. Health structure: the village has no structure for even the basic health care. It is necessary to go hundreds of miles to enjoy medical treatment. What makes the population engage in self-medication which is not without main consequences. Educational structure: this locality has: - A public primary school;

- A private primary school; - A public middle school All their structures are in bad shape. The class rooms are covered with grass. The pupils go to school late and they finish early because of the rains. 3) Transportation The trip to Bisso went well. Since no brother among us has a vehicle, everybody travelled by the public means of transportation. Many brothers and sisters had financial difficulties and could not make the journey. Seen the importance of the meeting, brothers DJONGA Daniel of Moundou and Rimorbé Pierre of Dono-Manga paid for the transposition cost of more than 20 brothers and sisters. At the end, God protected all the travelers, everybody went back home safely. 4) Lessons. Conference lasted 4 days, from March 31st till April 3rd, 2016. The theme of the conference is «Seeking for the truth» Topics presented were: The outline of the History of the Church of Christ in Chad by RIMORBE Pierre of Dono-Manga. Three biblical ages by DJONGA FELTOING (MOUNDOU). The two Testaments by Teito Gabriel of Sarh. The Church of the New Testament by Eguétégué Elie of Nangassou Sargué Kélo. Authority in Religion by TERADOUM Jonathan of Doba. Bible baptism, by RIMORBE Pierre of Dono Manga. Spiritual gifts and their purpose by Kandauo Antoine de Pont Carol taught House-to-house evangelism. Attendance: Men 54; Women 42; Children 37, Total 133 5) Immediate results - On 2nd April 2016 from 3.00pm till 6.00 pm, all the speakers joined the brethren for house-to-house evangelism. And it bore immediate fruit, five persons accepted the Gospel and were baptized on Sunday just before worship by the brother Mbaihondoum Enoch. They were a woman and 4 young men.

My point is this: With the political, economic and security situation in a place like Chad, all we need is equip the locals to evangelize their

own people as no American can live and succeed there like they are doing.

George Akpabli

6 The Lighthouse

Posing in this picture is myself and Daniel and

his wife in 2009 during my visit to Chad

John Boidoo, veteran leader of Church in Chad

WBS correspondence students invited for a

seminar in 2009 that I took part in.

N’Djamena congregation in 2014

7 The Lighthouse

Pictures above were taken on the 22 March 2014 during the inauguration of the worship

facility in Dono-Manga. Report on the inauguration of the meeting place in Dono-Maga from 22 to 24 March 2014. The Church is in a village called Ter, about 250 kilometer east of Moundou. The congregation is led by the Evangelist Rimorbé Pierre, trained in Jos Biblical School. The chapel is 24 meters in length and 8 meters wide. Some of the political leaders of the town attended the ceremony and gave words of encouragement. The attendance at the ceremony was 402 men, 123 women, 106 children, total 631 persons. On March 22nd, during Sunday worship. Adam Richardson taught a lesson of on spiritual wealth and Steve Worley preached a sermon on Christian life. Attendance at worship was 141 persons of which 78 men, 37 women and 26 children.

STATISTICS ON THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN THE REPUBLIC OF CHAD

In all twenty Chadian preachers trained in Bible schools in Benin, Ivory Coast and Jos, Nigeria work in Chad. 7 of 20 receive a small help from churches outside! None of the churches in the bigger towns has a meeting place of their own. The active assemblies in Chad are 29 in number which are: N’Djaména Kamda, N'Djamena Walla, Kélo, Bongor Normal, Bongor Vanguir, Bigui Hingué, Nangassou, Pont Carol, Pala centre, Pala Coton Tchad, Bissou, Malaoding, Forkoumaye-Fianga, Fianga, Déli, Moundou, Donomanga 1, Donomanga 2, Donomanga 3, Doba, Tchakapti, Sarh, Kaba-randy, Béko cana, Bendana, Bedjondouli 1, Bedjondouli 2, Sako Gongo, Moursalé

The biggest needs are: financial support for the preachers so that they can work full time, facilities for places of worship, support for the training of more preachers, equipment for use in preaching the gospel!

AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WORK IN THE REPUBLIC OF CHAD The Preston Crest Road Church of Christ in Dallas, Texas contribute to the work on Daniel Feltoing Djonga. The World Radio provides funds for Daniel to preach on the radio. Several individuals like Steve Worley provide support for some of the preachers trained in the Bible School in Jos. This edition is compiled from reports I received from some of the BTC graduates in Chad. All errors and omissions are mine. To God be the glory for the work in Chad.

PUBLISHED BY GEORGE AKPABLI

Missionary and Director of the Benin Bible Training Center

EGLISE DU CHRIST AU BENIN B. P. 01-3268 R. P. COTONOU, BENIN.

WEST AFRICA E-mail: akpabli@yahoo.com

F.A.C.E. FOUNDATION

P. O. Box 454 Benton, KY 42025

270-540-1942 -Visit our Webb site www.frenchafricanmissions.com