On a hill far away from the dust and business of the city, pastor Emmanuel started building a church. Five years ago he felt called to leave his job and commit himself full time to evangelize an area he had discovered to be completely ignored by both government services and churches alike. I got to know him through the teaching at Logos, and this weekend I finally fulfilled my promise to visit.
In the picture you see the arrangements being made for the worship service. He checks whether his elder is on the way, while the two ladies in the background look out over the villages to see attendants climb the hill.
He said: there was nothing here. Only a few kilometers from town, but no Gospel witness. It even became a place to hide if anyone is after you; the government has no presence here. The school is beyond the river; in the rain season most kids stay home. Many adults are illiterate. His smile never leaves his face - even when he is talking about the little the church members can contribute to his support and about the slow progress of building construction.
Because the walls are not even finished yet, they meet under an improvised grass roof. This only protects from sun, not from the rain water that freely enters the building each time. During the service, some goats and donkeys walk in, obviously accustomed to appreciate the shady area. The young herdsmen join in during the preaching, only until an alarmed call outside alerts them that the goats are running off.
What touched me afresh was the joy in worshipping the Lord. Often the songs teach short Bible lessons that really touch the people and helps them keep their hearts focussed on the Lord. I preached from Hebr. 4:16 - times of need was the part where they had the least difficulty understanding. But taking them to the throne of grace was such a rewarding service. A throne where presidents and beggars line up together and only call on grace in the name of Jesus.
After the service, we formed groups per village, praying for their neighbours. The man to the right came from a far place. He beseeched the Lord that salvation would come to his home area.
The hill is a beautiful location. Today, the church is still slightly hidden, because the walls will grow greener with all this rain. But imagine what the church will look like when they manage to roof it with the shiny iron sheets.
They called the church on this far away hill Calvary Baptist Church!
:). Praying for the increase!
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