With over 300 churches and 200 pastors, UBC has seen tens of thousands of lives transformed through the power of Christ. In their own words, believers share their testimonies of His faithfulness. Pastor Maisha Joseph I was born in Masisi village in October 1969. Before accepting Christ at age 22, I was deeply involved in sin – drinking without control and visiting prostitutes. I joined the rebellion group and became a soldier. A pastor came to visit our camp. He preached the word of God from Matthew 28:19-20 and told me about the goodness of God. Five days later, I left the rebellion group and went to the village where the pastor had a church. I testified there of what God did for me – He spared my life! Just two days after I left the rebellion, 67 of my former colleagues were killed in an attack by the government army. I totally believed in God and started doing the work of the Lord in the church. Two years later, I was married. I studied and became an evangelist. I have since planted nine churches, one of which I pastor. I thank God for everything He does in my life! Janne Muzuka I was born in 1972 in Nyabibwe village. My mother died when I was two, and my father took another wife. By age 14, I began a terrible life of prostitution in a drinking establishment. I was used by the owner to make money for her, but was too poor to support myself. If I continued to work for her, I was able to have food and a place to sleep. When I was 17, Pastor Habarurema came to my village and preached in an open-air meeting. His words touched me deeply. When he asked who was ready to repent of their sins, I was the first one. In front of everyone, I repented, but I was too well known by everyone in the village. They didn’t believe that I would follow Christ. The pastor arranged for me to move to Goma where I started my new life in his home. I am now 26 and married with four children. I am the president of the women’s group in our church. God has truly restored my life!

God has truly blessed the ministry of Harvesters’ partner in the D.R. Congo, the Union of Baptist Churches (UBC), led by Bishop Athanase Habimana. Currently, they coordinate 300 churches, 175 ordained pastors, and 285 evangelists working throughout the troubled eastern area of the country. Planting churches is a priority for UBC. Likewise is helping them to grow in their impact of the people in the areas they are reaching with the Gospel. Most of the congregations are very poor and many lack the resources to construct an adequate church building, especially the roof structure. UBC has identified five congregations that each need roofing for their churches. Specifically, “iron sheets”, which is typically referred to as metal roofing or tin in the US, is used to cover the structures. Each church requires a total of 80 sheets to complete the building and increase its usefulness as people gather to worship and learn more about God’s Word. Each sheet cost an average of $9 to obtain, depending on the remoteness of the location. The churches in need of roofing include the Muheto village church located in the Masisi territory. The church was planted in this village because most of the population had not been evangelized. Many people there believed in the false gods imposed by the culture. The church was started nine months ago and has grown extremely rapidly to include hundreds of Christians. The local believers contributed and have built the walls of the church, but it still lacks a roof. Here you see church members working on the building. A gift of $720 would provide a roof for one church. A gift of $3,600 would completely meet the need for five churches! Will you consider a gift that will allow congregations to gather with protection from the elements? Visit our website at www.harvesters.net to give.

The things a child needs to survive are obvious – food, shelter, clothing, and the like. Sadly, in many places where Harvesters is working, countless children struggle daily for these necessities. Some are orphans whose parents have died due to disease, accidents, or violence. Others live with impoverished families who lack the means to meet their basic needs. Out of our first-hand witness of many children forced to live under such circumstances, Harvesters International has developed Project Hope 127, our new child sponsorship program. This is an easy, effective way for those who want to provide life-changing love and support for a child in Asia or Africa to do so with confidence. Project Hope 127 takes its name from James 1:27 which says “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress...” This verse expresses the same truth as many others do, that God’s love working through His people takes the form of life-impacting action. Sponsoring a child helps bring wonderful change to the shape and direction of a child’s life in many ways. As the name implies, Project Hope 127 is not only about providing food, health care, clothing, education, and a home to the children we serve. Beyond their material need, a child will quickly lose hope when struggling to survive in places that offer little or no opportunity for their future. At that point, giving them love, stability, and a sense of safety is vital to building their confidence that life is worth living. Teaching them about God’s love helps them understand that they do matter. Most importantly, helping them understand the Gospel provides a child the opportunity to live in the hope of knowing God for eternity. Sponsors play a vital role in bringing hope to a child that goes beyond financial support. Both formal university studies and our experience confirm the wonderful reaction that occurs for a child when they know that someone they have never met cares enough about them to not only provide for their material needs, but to also send them letters of encouragement. Sponsors are much more than faceless donors! They develop a relationship with a child that needs to experience being loved by as many people as possible. Sponsors may also travel to Africa or Asia and meet their child. Currently, we have children from Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo who are awaiting sponsorship. These children are in the care of our ministry partners. Beginning a relationship by sponsoring a child is easy! It begins at www.ProjectHope127.org . There, you can see the photographs of our children, learn about their background, and become part of their lives by sponsoring one or more of them for $45 per month each. Below are just a few of the amazing kids that need sponsors. Aganze Kulondwa My parents were taken captive by rebels, and I am unsure what happened to them. I am 11 years old and want to be a businessman. Nadia Balume I was born in Kibumba in 2008. My parents were killed by rebels in 2016. I am 11 years old and want to be a teacher. Myo Min Insurgents killed my father when I was very young. My mother is disabled can't care for me. I am ten years old and hope to be a police officer. Solomon I came to the children’s home in 2016. My parents are sick and cannot take care of me. I am ten years old and hope to become a doctor.

Evangelism is not the responsibility of one person. It is for everyone! Many times, people think that the pastor is the only person that should be out evangelizing. But no, each person has the task of going and reaching another, telling him who Christ is and what He did. We provide training and discipleship for all church members so that they are well equipped to share with others. Even the children in our schools and orphan care program are learning how to share their faith. Every Monday, the children attend a meeting with the Headmaster. There is a time of prayer, and the Headmaster teaches a lesson or sermon. We make sure the children know that they are the servants of tomorrow. As they grow, they are asked to assist with the lesson. Youth attend discipleship training to make sure they have a firm foundation in their faith. We want them to be bold and confident in sharing. Young or old - if only every believer shared! Imagine how many people would become sons and daughters of the King!

UBC, Congo – Harvesters

Lives Restored

andrea2020-02-11T20:16:17-05:00February 20th, 2020|UBC, Congo|

With over 300 churches and 200 pastors, UBC has seen tens of thousands of lives transformed through the power of Christ. In their own words, [...]

Building The Church

andrea2019-12-02T16:53:49-05:00December 2nd, 2019|UBC, Congo|

God has truly blessed the ministry of Harvesters’ partner in the D.R. Congo, the Union of Baptist Churches (UBC), led by Bishop Athanase Habimana. Currently, [...]

Hope For A Child

andrea2019-09-04T10:23:36-04:00September 4th, 2019|Fellowship Bible, Myanmar, Harvesters International Ministries News, UBC, Congo|

The things a child needs to survive are obvious – food, shelter, clothing, and the like. Sadly, in many places where Harvesters is working, countless [...]

Union of Baptist Churches

andrea2019-06-03T09:26:15-04:00June 3rd, 2019|UBC, Congo|

We are privileged to introduce you to a man who has been greatly impacted by the ministry of UBC. His story, which he shares below, [...]

Union of Baptist Churches

andrea2018-12-11T10:34:31-05:00December 11th, 2018|Harvesters International Ministries News, UBC, Congo|

Harvesters’ partner in the D.R. Congo continues to grow their ministry and impact lives there through church planting, training pastors and leaders, educating children, assisting [...]

Threads of a New Life

andrea2017-09-28T14:58:06-04:00September 28th, 2017|Harvesters International Ministries News, Sion Assembly Church, India, UBC, Congo|

Every person has a purpose and is valued by God. In many cultures, women are not as highly valued as they should be. Our partners [...]

Smiles and Hope in the DRC

andrea2016-08-29T12:23:18-04:00August 29th, 2016|UBC, Congo|

To say that the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a difficult place is an understatement. Decades of war, rebellion, and governmental corruption have [...]

A Job For Everyone

andrea2016-07-06T13:39:38-04:00July 6th, 2016|UBC, Congo|

Evangelism is not the responsibility of one person. It is for everyone! Many times, people think that the pastor is the only person that should [...]

Union of Baptist Churches Update

andrea2016-03-30T15:56:24-04:00March 30th, 2016|UBC, Congo|

The Union of Baptist Churches is an extensive network of over 200 churches with nearly 13,000 members in the Democratic Republic of Congo. During 2015, [...]

Blessing Homeless Children in DR Congo

andrea2016-03-30T15:23:48-04:00March 30th, 2016|UBC, Congo|

God is working in an exciting way to meet the needs of a group of homeless children in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. In May, [...]