Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:4-7
Paul’s words to the Phillipians describe the church in the Northeast of Congo:
-A happy church in spite of hostile circumstances.
-A kind, loving, cooperative and hospitable church.
-A church that prays and depends on God.
-A church that trusts in his Head, Jesus Christ.
As representatives of the church from other places of the world, we have to deepen, understand and follow a fellowship-learning path regarding the church in the Northeast of DRC. The African Church has spiritual and exciting resources to encourage the church in other parts of the world. It also has an encouraging potential to grow in sending missionaries to other peoples (a latent challenge).
This raises some questions and generates a dialogue that we have to deepen in our South-South and South-North relationship: Do we understand each other? Should we reconsider our missionary understanding to improve our missionary dialogue? What is going to be our active participation (Africa, Latin America, etc)?What about the advance of other religions? Which are the main global challenges and how can we understand our participation? How can we advance in the South-Shouth and South-North relationship? What principles and values should we follow? How could we build, in a better way, the missionary bridge of cooperation? Can our structures be improved, changed or deleted? What can we do? What is the price we must pay? What is our call and passion?
As Latin Americans we have enjoyed Koinonia with the African church in the context of faith. It is our priority to share faith and to relate with them, but it does not end here. We have to deepen the active cooperation, as one of the goals of the common faith is to participate actively and this participation has concrete consequences. For us, Latin Americans, this represents our great challenge. We have a great potential in human, spiritual and emotional resources. We are also growing materially. ¿How is going to be our participation from now on? ¿How will we continue our dialogue with the African and Western churches?
As servants, we understand that when we get involved in missions we are sharing God’s mission, and that we are not working in a private project. The fact that we have decided to do missions together is a sign of Satan’s defeat and an evidence of global unity/cooperation. Because we are doing it together, in spite of our differences in culture, wealth, background, etc., we need the help of the Holy Spirit and a willingness to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of his mission.
To have a focal point, a possible practical and real approach of the global church in different parts of the world (relationship South-North, South-South), Peter’s words are appropriate:
Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5-6.
Let us go on without rushing (casting our anxiety in Him, without worrying, and being thankful) but without a break (with joy and serving others with kindness, by prayer and petition, the Lord is near). May God’s peace lead us to trust more in Him and to continue learning from others, serving with humility and love for the glory of God, the Father.
Alicia and I deeply thank God and Elmbrook Church for making this trip possible and for all their practical help. We hope to continue to process everything we lived there and to understand the next steps to follow to continue to share the Word of God with all the People of God.
Alicia y Carlos Scott
Paul’s words to the Phillipians describe the church in the Northeast of Congo:
-A happy church in spite of hostile circumstances.
-A kind, loving, cooperative and hospitable church.
-A church that prays and depends on God.
-A church that trusts in his Head, Jesus Christ.
As representatives of the church from other places of the world, we have to deepen, understand and follow a fellowship-learning path regarding the church in the Northeast of DRC. The African Church has spiritual and exciting resources to encourage the church in other parts of the world. It also has an encouraging potential to grow in sending missionaries to other peoples (a latent challenge).This raises some questions and generates a dialogue that we have to deepen in our South-South and South-North relationship: Do we understand each other? Should we reconsider our missionary understanding to improve our missionary dialogue? What is going to be our active participation (Africa, Latin America, etc)?What about the advance of other religions? Which are the main global challenges and how can we understand our participation? How can we advance in the South-Shouth and South-North relationship? What principles and values should we follow? How could we build, in a better way, the missionary bridge of cooperation? Can our structures be improved, changed or deleted? What can we do? What is the price we must pay? What is our call and passion?
As Latin Americans we have enjoyed Koinonia with the African church in the context of faith. It is our priority to share faith and to relate with them, but it does not end here. We have to deepen the active cooperation, as one of the goals of the common faith is to participate actively and this participation has concrete consequences. For us, Latin Americans, this represents our great challenge. We have a great potential in human, spiritual and emotional resources. We are also growing materially. ¿How is going to be our participation from now on? ¿How will we continue our dialogue with the African and Western churches? 
As servants, we understand that when we get involved in missions we are sharing God’s mission, and that we are not working in a private project. The fact that we have decided to do missions together is a sign of Satan’s defeat and an evidence of global unity/cooperation. Because we are doing it together, in spite of our differences in culture, wealth, background, etc., we need the help of the Holy Spirit and a willingness to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of his mission.To have a focal point, a possible practical and real approach of the global church in different parts of the world (relationship South-North, South-South), Peter’s words are appropriate:
Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5-6.
Let us go on without rushing (casting our anxiety in Him, without worrying, and being thankful) but without a break (with joy and serving others with kindness, by prayer and petition, the Lord is near). May God’s peace lead us to trust more in Him and to continue learning from others, serving with humility and love for the glory of God, the Father.Alicia and I deeply thank God and Elmbrook Church for making this trip possible and for all their practical help. We hope to continue to process everything we lived there and to understand the next steps to follow to continue to share the Word of God with all the People of God.
Alicia y Carlos Scott
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