Portable Bible Schools are strengthening churches and illuminating communities with the light of Christ in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Tiane’s life is very different now than it was a few months ago.
Today, as she walks her village roads in the Niangara region of Democratic Republic of the Congo, she shares the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. She’ll do the same as she waits at the market, or meets with friends and family, or goes about her daily work.
Tiane instructs a neighbor from the Word of God.
She shares Biblical encouragement with discouraged acquaintances, neighbors, and even strangers. In the evenings she gathers with her husband and children to talk about the Word of God and to spend time in prayer about the day’s troubles.
She has changed, and people who know her are astonished by the transformation.
The difference is that she now has a growing relationship with the Lord, reading and studying His Word and applying the truth to her life.
“In the past, I had no fear of the Lord,” she said, describing how she would respond to anxious moments by turning to alcohol. This would turn to fighting with the people she loved. “I drank excessively. Then I would engage in regular arguments with my husband and children.”
This was in the midst of attending church with them and considering herself a follower of Christ, but “attending church was just a formality that never changed me a bit.”
It wasn’t until Samaritan’s Purse began holding portable Bible school lessons in her village, Ganga, that Tiane came to saving faith, seeing her need for God and His Word in her life.
“I had little knowledge of the Bible,” she said. “Through the classes, I received a Bible and was taught how to read and understand the Word of God. I learned spiritual disciplines that shaped my personal life and family. I learned to pray.”
A Life-Changing Knowledge of God’s Word
Before our Niangara Lighthouse project brought portable Bible school to Ganga, it was hard to find Bibles as well as people skilled to teach her how to study and apply the Scriptures.
Lay people and church leaders learn how to study the Bible and apply it to their lives and ministries.
The program was started in the remote village in conjunction with our other work there such as water, sanitation, and hygiene projects; and livelihoods activities such as cattle raising and farming.
As our teams worked through local churches to meet physical needs, we trained church leaders how to strengthen their own spiritual walks through regular reading and studying of God’s Word. They were also trained in how to disciple believers and how to do effective Gospel outreach in their communities.
“I’ve learned how to deal with my own life in a better way and how to preach the Gospel more effectively to my congregation,” said Pastor Felix, a church leader in a neighboring village. “As I have experienced the Lord’s love and compassion through deeper study of His Word, I have started serving them with a shepherd’s heart. I am showing greater humility and love for others. Now even the youth in my church have become more motivated to serve God.”
Tiane and Pastor Felix were two of the 29 recent graduates of the Portable Bible School program across northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Since 2012, when the program started, about three dozen portable Bible schools have been hosted in remote areas of the country, and more than 1,200 students have graduated. The Samaritan’s Purse ministry team plans to travel even deeper into isolated parts of the country to empower the church to study the Word, share the Gospel, and to love their neighbors even amidst conflict.
“Jesus Christ told us to go into all the world to preach the Good News to all creation,” Tiane said. “Since I have been equipped, I have taken this commandment personally and will continue with evangelism to bring many to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
This latest class of Portable Bible School students joins hundreds of other students who’ve joined the program since 2012.
