{"id":3107,"date":"2015-08-10T10:43:09","date_gmt":"2015-08-10T15:43:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/?p=3107"},"modified":"2015-08-10T10:43:09","modified_gmt":"2015-08-10T15:43:09","slug":"congolese-pastors-empowered-and-encouraged-through-continuing-education-seminars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/2015\/08\/congolese-pastors-empowered-and-encouraged-through-continuing-education-seminars\/","title":{"rendered":"Congolese pastors empowered and encouraged through continuing education seminars"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cThese seminars have really encouraged me.\u00a0These could start a revival in the CEUM. \u00a0I was reminded of aspects of ministry I had forgotten about,\u201d were some of the comments by the 730 pastors attending the recent continuing education seminars in NW Congo. \u00a0Three seminars were held, one each in Gemena, Karawa and Gbadolite.<\/p>\n

\"pastors<\/a>

pastors attentively taking notes<\/p><\/div>\n

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A team of 5 leaders spent two weeks in April praying, studying, writing and critiquing each other’s presentations in preparation for the seminars. \u00a0Missionary colleague David Stockamp commented that “there truly a wonderful team spirit amongst these men. \u00a0They care for and helped each other. \u00a0They had each other’s back.<\/em>”<\/p>\n

\"Karawa<\/a> \"pastor<\/a><\/p>\n

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Some other comments” \u00a0CEUM President Mboka, “If the continuing pastoral education team does in all of the seminars what we experienced in the Bokonzo pool there will be revival.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"breakfast<\/a><\/p>\n

\"breakfast<\/a>

breakfast and break time<\/p><\/div>\n

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“The pastors in the seminars were so attentive.\u00a0 If they missed a scripture reference they wanted us to go back and repeat it.\u00a0 They did not want to miss a thing.”\u00a0Rev. Matthieu Mbula.<\/p>\n

“I am thankful for the vision that David received for continuing education.\u00a0 The training is waking our pastors up and rekindling a desire to study God’s Word.\u00a0 This is so appropriate for the times we live in today. Our pastors need to be equipped.”<\/em>\u00a0Rev. Ambwa<\/p>\n

\"praying<\/a>

praying and taking notes<\/p><\/div>\n

\"praying<\/a>

praying and taking notes<\/p><\/div>\n

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David Stockamp commented:\u00a0 \u201cDuring the final communion service [in Gbadolite] I found myself amazed by God’s goodness.\u00a0 I was so grateful for the sacrifice these pastors made to be there.\u00a0 Many come on bikes, while others walked or hitched a ride.\u00a0 Some came partway by canoe!\u00a0 As I watched the communion lines form my heart brimmed with joy.\u00a0 I thanked God for the opportunity to come back now for the third time since last year’s heart attack. \u00a0Follow this link to learn more of David’s story over the past year.” \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n