Democratic Republic of Congo Missions

I would like to share with you about my trip with Ps Brendan to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in September 2016 last year. Firstly, we flew off to Kigali in Rwanda. It was a 30-hour flight to get there. When we reached Kigali, we had to take a taxi for another 6.5 hours of driving through the roads to get to Bukavu on the eastern side of DRC. We arrived at the border at about midnight and stayed overnight at the Rwandan border. Early the next morning, we crossed the border to DRC. We met with our head pastor there, Pastor Mapya. He shared with us some of the things that were happening in the country at that time. The country was in a period of significant unrest, because the president was holding onto power when he should have passed it on. Pastor Mapya told us that in fact just that week alone, 2 pastors were killed. They were killed by the soldiers. The soldiers wanted to take their money and mobile phones, but the pastors refused, so they just shot them dead. That was the kind of the situation and environment that we were in at that time. Hence, when we got through the border, we were all very careful about what we were doing, how we travel, and how we interacted with the police and the army, because unfortunately there was a lot of corruption happening in the nation.

 

On the first day of arriving in Rwanda in the morning, we were involved in a training for pastors. We ran a training for 3 days for pastors. There were more than 40 pastors and several other leaders attending the training. It was a fantastic time! It was just amazing to see their heart and their passion to learn. Some of these pastors came from very far – many had to walk all the way, some of them walked 2 days. There were even some who slept on the side of the road just to make it for the conference and training. During that time, we taught them many different things – about leadership, about planting churches, and how to help their people. As part of the conference, Pastor Brendan did some training to teach them how to pray for people. It was just an amazing time as he was doing that. Some of the pastors themselves were healed by the power of God. It was really exciting and to see what was happening! The pastors were so encouraged, inspired, and better equipped after the training.

 

The nation of DRC is very poor. They are one of the poorest nations in the world – in terms of their per capita income, it is most likely the lowest 5 nations in the world. Therefore, the environment that we were in was also very challenging. Most of the time, we held conferences in one of our churches – which was a little building built mostly by hand. There are no carpets, the concrete is very basic, the floor is cracking, the windows often have no panes nor glass in them and the building is falling apart. The church itself is situated right in the middle of a slum area. There is no road to get to the church itself. We had to walk on the mud and on little paths, and we walked through drains and all kinds of different settings to get there.

 

As we talked to the pastors, we had an interpreter who was faithfully interpreting for us throughout the whole time. Once, we were having a very simple lunch that had been cooked by the local people during the conference. As we were eating, I asked this interpreter, “So what do you normally have for breakfast?”, and he responded saying that he normally doesn’t eat breakfast. I was curious, so I asked him again, “Is it because you are on a diet, or because you just don’t like breakfast?”, and he replied saying that actually he doesn’t have breakfast most times because he simply cannot afford to have breakfast. Wow…just amazing. When we were talking to the pastors, we asked questions like, “How do you keep in touch with one another?” (because of the distances and almost none of them own any cars), “Do you call one another? Do you e-mail?”. We found that most of the pastors do not even have access to the internet. In fact, a significant proportion of those pastors do not even own a mobile phone! So, this is the kind of situation that they are in – they are working in very difficult situations and in significant lack. But what is amazing – is their passion, dedication, and willingness to make so much sacrifices for the sake of the Kingdom!

 

Besides the training, we also had the opportunity to preach and teach in a number of their churches. They brought us to their Central Church in Bukavu, where we shared and ministered in one of their large prayer meetings. In this little hall that they had, the prayer meeting went on until sunset. They tried to save money by not switching on the light – so there was no light in the whole meeting! When the sun went down, it was so dark that we couldn’t even read our Bibles. I brought my tablet along so I was able to read, but it was very difficult for even my interpreter to read.

 

We also went to visit the first church building that they ever had – the one which Pastor Mapya started himself. There is another pastor who is in charge of that church now. We went to the church and again I shared a message and we ministered there. It was just a wonderful time. We then went to this pastor’s house which was nearby. He had rented a little house and it is actually located in the slum area too. It only has very basic corrugated walls and roof, and single storey. When we went inside, there was no electricity so we had to switch on our mobile phones for light or bring a torch light. It really shocked me to see that the ceiling of that house was made of recycled cardboard! That is the kind of environment that they live in, in many places in DRC.

 

One day, they also brought me to a hillside church. We had to climb and trek up the hill – it was quite a trek on just dirt paths. I was like “oh wow”, it really wasn’t easy climbing up. We finally made it there just before the evening, and the sun began to set. Again, there was no electricity – the church itself was just a wooden structure made out of trimmings from the trees and branches which they used to make the whole structure. Right in the middle of my preaching, I felt the whole ground shook and I was wondering what was happening – this hill is not very stable. It shook for about 10 seconds but I continued preaching, and we ministered and prayed for people. God moved and touched many people’s lives that time! After that, we went back in the dark. We had to use torch lights and trekked our way down the hill. The next day, I discovered that there was actually a major earthquake that happened in that area, which had also affected a number of nations. I did not realize it at all. So there I was – preaching right in the middle of an earthquake –what an experience!

 

We also preached in a wedding. It was quite interesting to see how they conduct their weddings. It was in another church in the countryside situated on a hill. It was a church with a small building which could probably sit 80-90 people, but they managed to squeeze 200 people in there for the wedding! It was just interesting – a wonderful cultural experience for us to participate in the wedding, to share a message, and to pray for the young couple. Finally, on Sunday we went to one of their largest churches in the country. Yet again, it was still a very basic church building, even though it was large enough to sit 300-400 people. The doors and windows are nothing more than just the openings. There was no actual doors or window panes.

Those are some of the challenges in that nation but they are believing God, they continue to serve the Lord! Can I encourage us to pray for them? There is so much need, so much poverty, and yet the Gospel is so desperately needed in that nation. So many people are lost, and there is so much suffering and corruption and all kinds of challenges in the nation, but God is doing amazing things! During last year alone, our pastors had planted 15 new churches! This is the highest number of churches that they have ever planted in the entire history of their church planting. God is definitely doing amazing things, but we need to continue to pray for these leaders, the pastors, and for their people, and really believe for God’s hand and God’s grace to be upon them! It has been a tremendous journey for Pastor Brendan and myself. We have been so inspired, so challenged, and at the same time so stretched as well during that time. It is always tremendous when we go forth, when we step out in faith, and we serve God, and just to see what God can do when we trust Him! God bless you.

Pastor Wilson Lim

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Ps Brendan Kirby

Brendan and Helen Kirby are the founding pastors of Hope Church in Adelaide. Brendan became a Christian in 1984, and joined Hope Melbourne in 1991. In the 80’s Brendan trained in physics at The University Of Melbourne, and graduated with a PhD in 1989. Since then he has worked as a post doctoral fellow and research scientist for about 23 years in various government research organizations. He married Helen in 1994, and in early 1998 they moved to Adelaide plant the Hope Church together while they both were working. He resigned his job as a research scientist for the Australian Defence in 2012 to work full time as a pastor.  Brendan is passionate about building and planting churches, and oversees churches in Perth, West Africa, Central Africa and India.

Ps Lance Wolter

Ps Lance & Belle were married in 2006 while pioneering Hope Church Gold Coast. As time went on they began to also become more and more involved helping with other churches in Australia and missional work (especially in Africa). In late 2018, they both took a leap of faith and relocated to Southern Africa to help churches in that region to become more fruitful in discipleship and the multiplication of churches. They are currently serving over 180 churches in Southern and Eastern Africa as well as churches in Gold Coast, New South Wales and ACT (Australia). Lance and Belle are passionate about pioneering community empowerment and social justice projects for the poorest of the poor. The family is also blessed with two beautiful children, Michael and Hadessah.

Ps Chaiyapruck Pewruangnont

Pastor Chaiyapruck Pewruangnont came to know Jesus Christ in 1988 at Hope of Bangkok church when he was a high school student. After he graduated with a Bachelor Degree of Architechure from KMITL Bangkok, he was trained and sent out to be the pastor of Hope of Hatyai church in 1996. He then moved to be a regional pastor at Hope Nakornrachasima and oversaw the North East region of Thailand. In 2000, he moved to Hope Bangkok church to join the pastoral team and oversaw the North region of Bangkok. In 2002, he moved back to Hatyai again and oversaw the Southern and North East of Thailand. He is currently the Vice President of HIM Thailand. Pastor Chaiyapruck is married to Pastor Patcharee. They have 2 daughters.

Ps Chuchat Chaisombat

Pastor Chuchat Chaisombat grew up in Payao, Northern Thailand.  After graduating in Economics, he started to serve God as a full-time pastoral staff.  He now lives with his wife Siriphorn in Chiangmai. He graduated in Master of Ministry from Bangkok Bible Seminary (BBS). He is currently the President of HIM Thailand, and leads the HIM churches in Thailand. Chuchat enjoys pioneering churches and discipleship.  He has a deep desire to inspire and help Christ-followers to be passionate for God and to serve Him until their last breath.

Ps James Loke

James Loke graduated in economics and worked in the central bank in Singapore. He then received a sovereign call to serve God in the mission field whence he travelled widely to preach and teach the Word of God. He is based in Singapore, where he serves God with his wife Christine. He oversees HIM churches in Thailand and the Philippines.  James believes that God wants His people to know Him well and to have a close relationship with Him and with fellow believers.  James desires Christ-followers to be passionate for God, mature in Christ and live pragmatic lives honouring Him.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Ps Prakich Treetasayuth

Pastor Prakich Treetasayuth received a Bachelor’s Degree of Science, majoring in Biochemistry, from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. He was awarded a Master’s Degree of Philosophy in Theology from the Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society. After receiving Christ in Hope of Bangkok Church in 1988, he was committed to the church and its ministry in many areas including biblical studies. In 1995, he became a regional pastor and the Head of Publication, in charge of the church’s teaching materials. He was appointed as the Pastor over Student Ministry in 1999 until he relocated to Europe in 2004 in his new role as the Regional Pastor over Hope Europe. God called him back to Thailand in 2021 for an additional role as the General Secretary for Thailand Bible Society. Pastor Prakich is gifted in leadership, word of encouragement and as a shepherd and a teacher.

Ps Kwong Lie Ong

Pastor Ong Kwong Lie pioneered Hope Johor Bahru (in Malaysia) in the year 1993. With a humble beginning of 1 person, today the church consists of more than 200 members and is still growing. Besides pastoring Hope Johor Bahru, he also oversees daughter churches in the state of Johor and Malacca. God has also entrusted him to oversee churches in Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia and India. Pastor Kwong Lie graduated from Harvest Bible College in Melbourne with Diploma in Christian Ministry in 1991. He is married to Pastor Swee Min and they have 2 sons. Pastor Swee Min supports him in his pastoral role locally and internationally.

Ps Denis Lu

Pastor Denis Lu was one of the pioneering members of Hope Kuching with Pastor Simon, in 1992. He is currently the Senior Pastor of Hope Kuching. He oversees HIM churches in Malaysia. Denis graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1991 from University Newcastle, Australia in 1991. He returned to Kuching, lectured at Stamford College and later became the College’s principal in 1995. He moved on to be an education counselor for Taylor’s College before entering full-time ministry in September 2001. Denis is married to Pastor Chong Hai Eng, who is also the Senior Manager in the HIM Elders’ Office. They have a son.

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Ps Simon Eng

Pastor Simon Eng is a Civil Engineer by training. He has been ministering for over 30 years. His experiences include pioneering Hope Kuching, mentoring leaders and pastors, and ministering in cross-cultural Regional Conferences. Pastor Simon is married to Pastor Lai Eng and they have 3 wonderful children, who are active in their faith as well. Pastor Simon is currently serving as the Senior Pastor of Hope Kuala Lumpur and an Elder in Hope International Ministries. He loves to build God’s people and travels extensively to minister and care for God’s churches.

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Ps Wilson Lim

Wilson and Lai Ling are founding pastors of Hope Church, a thriving multi-site church with its headquarters in Brisbane. Wilson is currently serving as President of HIM and oversees Hope churches in Oceania and North America.  Wilson is known for his lively, engaging expositional preaching, theological and leadership insights as well as apostolic father’s heart.  His passion is teaching, equipping leaders and building the church.  Wilson holds a PhD in Civil Engineering (Monash University) and a MTh (The University of Manchester). He was a research scientist with CSIRO. He also formerly served as a Bible College director and is currently the chairman of Australian Care & Trauma Services.  Lai Ling complements him in ministry with her passion in the areas of prophetic, intercession, pastoral care and counselling.  Together, they minister widely around the world today and founded a ministry equipping website wilsonlailing.com.  They have three adult children and 1 daughter-in-law.