The Church of the Nazarene recently began work in a new area, Central African Republic (CAR), thanks to a pastor who was inspired to help his people. 

The new work began as a result of a sermon given at a 2018 district assembly in the Democratic Republic of Congo that challenged pastors and leaders in attendance to think about places the Church had not reached yet. One pastor in attendance took it to heart.

The Central African Republic gained independence from France in 1960. It has a history of political unrest and civil wars but has recently entered one of its most peaceful stretches in history thanks to a ceasefire signed in 2014. 

“We praise God for his faithfulness in allowing us to officially enter the Central African Republic this year,” said Dany Gomis, Africa Region director. “We are hopeful that our new churches will help to bring the freedom of Christ to the country.”

Stephane*, a pastor in the Democratic Republic of Congo was at that district assembly in 2018. He became especially burdened for Central African Republic because he is from an ethnic group that comes from the border region between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic. 

“I felt the need to create a ministry in CAR because of the suffering of the people there,” Stephane said. “Perhaps my reasons were a bit selfish, because I knew that many of the people were from an ethnic group that is closely related to my own. I wanted to help my people, and the best way that I knew how was to share the gospel and doctrine of holiness with them.”

Stephane embarked on a journey to the capital city of Bangui in the spring of 2019. He traveled by bus, boat, and motorcycle over a period of three days. 

“One time, I was riding on a motorcycle along the river and we came upon a camp of armed men,” Stephane said. “I thought to myself that I would surely die, and yet the Lord was good to us. They stopped us, asked who we were and what we were doing. They simply let us go. After such an experience, I knew that I could never get out of this call to establish the work of the Church of the Nazarene in CAR.”

When he arrived, he explained to customs officials that he had come for the sake of the church. A small group of believers from the capital city of Bangui overheard his conversation, and that group has now grown into five worshipping communities with a total membership of around 135 people. 

In February, the Board of General Superintendents approved entry into the Central African Republic following the recommendation of the Global Missions Committee of the General Board.

Members were officially received into the church, and some are now preparing to receive local and district licenses in the upcoming months under the supervision of the Congo-Brazzaville District.

“My prayer is that there will be a vibrant and growing church in Bangui,” Stephane said. “[I hope] that they will take hold of the missionary spirit that is at the core of the Church of the Nazarene in order to see the church continue to grow and transform the lives of the people in Central African Republic.”

*Name changed for security purposes