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Drama Depicts Arrival of Gospel in Congo
By Don Meyer
GOYONGO, CONGO (November 14, 2003) - Hundreds lined a small airstrip to greet
President Glenn Palmberg and other members of the delegation representing
the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) as they arrived today following a
30-minute flight from Karawa.
A key focus of this visit was a tour of ISTEU, the Institute Superior
Theologique Evangelique de l'Ubangi (the Superior Evangelical Theological
Institute of the Ubangi). ISTEU is a joint ministry of the CEUM and the
CECU (the Free Church of Congo). This year there are 33 students in
training, including 23-24 CEUM students and 9-10 CECU students.
The guests toured the seminary facilities and met with members of the
seminary faculty, who outlined some of the needs faced by that institution.
Of special interest was a visit to the computer lab donated by Peninsula
Covenant Church in California. "We were touched by the amazing impact of a
humble gift," observed Pete Ekstrand, regional coordinator for Africa who
is also serving as a special correspondent for Covenant News Service. Also
of interest were the gardens tended by students as a means of covering the
cost of boarding.
After landing, the delegation was treated to a dramatic presentation that
depicted what life was like before the arrival of the Gospel to the region.
An accompanying photo shows a group watching the presentation, including
(from left) Bob Thornbloom (who is translating), Palmberg and Rev. Theodore
Danu, the director of the seminary.
"The drama illustrated the people's commitment to their personal gods and
fetishes and the impact of those practices on individual lives," said
Ekstrand. "The drama then described the arrival of the Gospel, the people's
initial negative response to the Gospel and then how the preaching of the
Gospel finally bore fruit."
Three members of the team preached at a worship service in Goyongo -
Palmberg, Curt Peterson and Jim Sundholm. Themes included an affirmation of
the Covenant's commitment to the CEUM, the brotherhood and sisterhood of
believers in Christ and exploring ways in which God wants to work through
the respective churches in the future.
"Three cords are better than two and one," said Sundholm in his message,
reflecting on the familiar Ecclesiastes passage. "The CEUM and Covenant are
stronger together than each individually. And three cords - the CEUM, the
ECC and God - are stronger than the two and cannot be easily broken," he
said in providing encouragement to his listeners.
"This is a very beautiful place," Ekstrand noted. "The crowds have been
overwhelming at each place we stopped. We are finding African hospitality
to be precious, much more than we could have imagined."
The delegation, led by Palmberg, also includes Peterson, executive minister
of the Department of World Mission; Sundholm, director of Covenant World
Relief; Nelson, a Central Conference coordinator; and Thornbloom, a
Covenant missionary who coordinates technical support in Congo. Traveling
with the delegation are Ekstrand; Keith Gustafson, country coordinator for
the Democratic Republic of Congo; and CEUM President Luyada.
Purpose of the trip is to visit CEUM ministries and confer with CEUM
leaders on the ministry partnership of CEUM and the ECC. The delegation
left Chicago Monday, November 10, and is scheduled to return November 22.
(Bottom photo shows Sundholm and Nelson washing their hands before a meal.)
To read earlier news coverage of this historic trip, visit the links below:
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