Congregations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) had reason to rejoice before this year’s camp meeting even began. Earlier this year, a donation through the Portland headquarters made it possible to dig a well on the City of Faith campground in Ngandapio. This property had sat idle since 2019 due to a lack of fresh water. Now, the saints are enjoying the beautiful views, spacious setting, and prime location near Kinsasha, the nation’s capital.

The camp meeting was held July 13-20 with delegates coming from the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) and throughout the DRC. It began with a Sunday school lesson on “The Word Made Flesh” from John 1:1-34. The classes were divided by age and also by language, including French and Lingala.

The devotional service was introduced by the choir song “King of Kings,” which set a tone of awe-inspired worship. For the message, Leon Guba, the DRC District Superintendent, preached on “God’s Great Love” while Alphonse Lokwa, the Kibonga pastor, interpreted. Brother Leon reminded all that love is what led God to offer His Son as a sacrifice for sin. He encouraged everyone to bring their difficulties to God in prayer and trust Him to resolve each one. 

Throughout the week, Bible teachings were held in the mornings. The topics covered were “The Basic Christian Experiences,” “Prevailing Prayer,” “The Trials and Rewards of Faith,” and “Work and the Secret Tithe of Blessings.” In the afternoons, alternating youth and children’s services featured such messages as “The Book of Life” and “A New Beginning.” One of the youth services was substituted with an Entrepreneurship Forum. The speakers exhorted the young people to find their identities in Christ, set goals, take initiative, and lead in their environments through faith, discipline, and creativity.

In the evenings, evangelistic services created an atmosphere of prayer through music, testimonies, and sermons. One message captured the congregation’s attention with the opening statement, “The Lord has sent an envelope.” The preacher went on to explain that the Word of God is like a letter from the Creator, telling how to live for Him and reach Heaven.

Among the testimonies, one woman said she was diagnosed with cancer that required urgent surgery. Instead, she and her husband prayed, and though she was ill for a long time, God healed her completely. Another woman testified that after her two grandchildren ingested poison and began vomiting, she entreated God in prayer, and He healed them. A man thanked God for a special opportunity to witness to others. He said he was called to Matadi when a critical machine in a factory broke down. The employees had been sent home while engineers worked on the problem for two weeks without finding a solution. Though he had not studied engineering in college, when God saved him, He gave him an understanding of mechanics. This led the engineers to consult him, and in their sight, he knelt and prayed before examining the machine. Suddenly, God gave him inspiration, and within a half hour, the machine was running again.

Other services and activities during the week included a ministers’ meeting on “Leadership and Management,” a workers’ conference on “Good Stewardship,” and business meetings of the DRC Board and the zonal coordinators. In addition, workers went out each day to evangelize the local area and a charity drive gathered and distributed clothing. On Saturday, everyone was blessed to witness a water baptismal service for fifty-six candidates and then enjoy a concert in the evening.

By the close of the camp meeting, nearly 850 had attended and enjoyed fresh water from the well. More importantly, 56 drew from the Living Waters and received salvation.