Key person: Ngoy Emmanuel Kakudji
Ngoy Emmanuel Kakudji is someone we have known for many years. He is an entrepreneur and is involved in many aspects of ministry. He is involved in churches for deaf people and there are several around Lubumbashi. He is also the Emmaus (correspondence) Bible School coordinator and the coordinator for Barnabas School of Leadership for francophone Africa. In addition, he is the regional coordinator for Sowers International and it is through them we have been supporting Emmanuel for several years.
Here are some recent comments from Emmanuel. “During this last quarter, my family went through difficult times to bear, disease, financial crises and also cases of theft in the house of our adopted daughter Angel Kayombo. She is the daughter of my younger brother who lived with us. She was abused by seven men who came to commit their crime. Despite these difficulties we bless the Lord who keeps us alive.
As far as I am concerned, my health is great. I am happy to have celebrated my 64th birthday with my family. Sometimes I feel a little weakness in my body, but I am still available for God's work.”
Emmanuel and Carole have just celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary.
Over the past three months Emmanuel has spent a lot of time reviewing the SOWERS foundational documents for his area of work. He revised some of them to better adapt them to current realities and also tested the new translation of a brochure among the population of the Central African Republic.
He organized two level 2 and 4 trainings in Bangui, Central African Republic. As well, he stayed in touch with the different people from different countries in his area of ministry. He spent time encouraging and liaising with the various leaders in their locations.
He is organizing level 4 continuing education courses for the Sowers of Bangui and Kasenga, a way to help employees also become Associated Sowers. This is continuing to grow, and the co-workers must be trained (John 4:35). He visited Bangui in March 2023. Both countries require a supply of Sowers materials. These materials have now been printed.
There has been a lot of effort put into setting up the new leaders in each missionary region. Pierre B, Emile K and François K were appointed in Lubumbashi and Kasenga and Maurice W was chosen as National Coordinator of SOWERS, Central African Republic (CAR). This is a big step forward and relieves Emmanual of some pressure and responsibility. This creates new opportunities to work with churches in DR Congo and CAR and ensures the growth of the work and expansion of God’s kingdom.
Recently, Emmanuel received a report from the Sowers of Bangui/CAR who organized an evangelistic outing. On this outing, souls came to Christ, and some people immediately asked for baptism.
Some new encouraging reports also came from Côte d'Ivoire where the coordinator of Sowers reported a growing interest in planting new local churches in his country.
In Lubumbashi and Kasenga, the Sowers testified to their determination to serve the Lord through SOWERS.
Emmanuel intends to organize another working session with the members of the National Boards to motivate them to plan activities.
The CAR is becoming an increasingly strategic country in Emmanuel’s thinking. It is a strategically well positioned country situated in the centre of five neighbouring French speaking countries, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Chad. CAR is strategic to the future development of evangelism across these countries. The timely establishment of the SOWERS ministry and the recognition of SOWERS International in CAR would advance the gospel of salvation in this whole area.
Emmanuel writes after a recent visit, “The impact of this mission has been considerable. Three people started their training to become Associated Sowers in CAR. We also managed to introduce a new manual, translated for the first time into the local language of this country. Six Level 2 Sowers were also trained.”
Current Issues and ChallengesThe great challenge is to make the National Boards responsible for fulfilling their roles which is, deputation for the benefit of SOWERS.
The looming presidential elections have the potential to cause much unrest and violence.
1) For guiding them in the training seminars organized in Kasenga (Level 1) and Bangui (Levels 1 & 4).
2) For the funding received for the printing of manuals and the purchase of resources for evangelism in Bangui and Kasenga.
3) For the visit to develop and encourage Sowers in June 2023 in Kasenga.
4) For the various contacts made with the churches of Lubumbashi, raising awareness about partnership opportunities with them.
5) That printing of SOWERS resources would continue in Lubumbashi and in Bangui.
6) For the success of steps taken to achieve official recognition of Sowers in Central African Republic
7) For the joy of having the first SOWERS manual translated into Sango, the language spoken in the Central African Republic.
8) For the appointment of more leaders to take responsibility.
Emmanuel is a key person in terms of ministry networking, and he also delivers as he is an activist. We should continue our funding here for the time being. Sowers intends for Emmanuel to continue in his role as regional director. He does have a gift at doing this.