CCOG evangelizing into the Congo and Rwanda

The Continuing Church of God has been growing.

Evangelist Evans Ochieng has just returned from his first trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Here is something from CCOG’s Letter to the Brethren: January 26, 2023:

Trip to Congo

Evangelist Evans Ochieng sent the following on Tuesday after he returned to Kenya from visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo:

Pastor Dr Bob,

Greetings from Kenya.

I’ve reached home safely.

I want to emphasize a little about the Church in Congo. I really appreciate the brethren in Congo. Those people are serious people …. Those are the people who wanted to know more about every step in the church. They accepted that they were deceived by the protestants churches and the seventh day church of God who were after many people but didn’t want to preach all the Truth and put them into the light. So when they receive the plans of God and how can the church be moving forward. They were really taking their time to listen. Not only listen but they were behaving like the Bereans. After we completed the discussion is when they go and sit a side themselves to study and to confirm everything we taught if they are true or not. When they came back the next day, they come when they are excellent. So when we started another topic they make sure that they get it well. So we have a very Smart people in Congo. Even now they have started to process registration.

What happened to me at the airport I feel that it’s the work of Satan to spoil my heart not to go back to Congo. But he is defeated. Satan wanted to block My ways and suffer in Congo. But God protected me till I reached home safe.

Another thing, I told you that those people most of them wanted baptism but since that was my first time to preach to them, it wasn’t good to do the baptism just there before they study well. But the faith was good. So we can plan how they can be baptized before Passover.

Also Moise wanted me to go and teach of things I taught there in Rwanda. So I will see if I can go to Rwanda before I go to Ethiopia. Or if I can go to Ethiopia first.

As far as baptism goes I want to study it first all that you sent to me and after that I’ll let you know.

Evans.

Evans Ochieng was with Moise Nshimiyimana from Rwanda (many with ties to Rwanda live in the Congo) when he was in the Congo.

As far as the airport incident, basically he had to pay more money to leave the country than he thought he should have as he felt that some officials were abusing their positions. That said, some countries do have an exit fee you have to pay (the first time my family and I encountered that was in Guatemala several years ago).

Here is a photo of some who Evans Ochieng met with last Sabbath:

Anyway, Evans Ochieng was highly impressed with the zeal of those in the Congo. We have, as his email shows, began the process of officially registering the Continuing Church of God in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

We currently have two congregations in the Congo, with about 50 people in total.

Now, as it turns out, some in the Congo have been studying CCOG literature since 2018. Here is Evans Ochieng’s report of his first meeting there, which was last Thursday:

Pastor Dr Bob,

Greetings from Congo.

Since morning I was totally busy till this time. I met many brethren with a lot questions which were to be answered. Most of questions were coming from people who came out of SDA. This people wanted to know more about the coming kingdom of God. And where the millennial rule will be. Is it on earth or in heaven. In the same question, the wanted to know the difference between the kingdom of God and the Kingdom of heaven. Another question was about Daniel 8:14 which the SDA believe as the longest prophecy in the bible. which is a total lie taught by SDA. So I was to explain Daniel 8:14 clearly and disconnect it from Daniel 9:25-28. Because they are misinterpreted this two chapters.

After that, they asked the reason why we consider CCOG to be the true church and why not SDA and other denominations. Again they wanted thorough explanations about revelation 13 and revelation 13verse 11. Because they believe that revelation 13 is papacy and revelation 13 verse 11 is America. So I was to explain clearly that revelation 13 is all about Roman empire and verse 11 is All about papacy not America.

Another question was about Daniel 12:11-12, 1290 days and 1335 days so I was to explain this also.

Another big question was why we are not protestants and what’s the difference between church of God and the protestants. Another question was about the millennial rule of Christ. And is 100 years is in 1000 years or added to 1000 years. I was to explain this. Another question was about three days and Three nights. The resurrection of Jesus Christ and crucification. Another question was about salvation. What’s salvation? I was to explain this. After that there was question about where is Enoka and Elijah. Another question was about the calendar. So pastor I was to explain all this. It was lucky that I was once a SDA member and I tought All this falls doctrine and this imaginations of Ellen G white when I was there. Therefore it wasn’t a problem for me to explain all this questions.

I was to explain that church of God is not one of the protestants.

Tomorrow we shall talk about the ordained feast of God and pagan holidays. Offerings and tithes. Repentance and reconciliation.

After the meeting I remained with Ezekiel and moise.

Ezekiel has been studying our books from website for almost 4 years from 2018 till today. They are 20 people who have been studying our books and magazines. So they have been keeping Sabbath in their houses because since they don’t have church certificate, they are afraid of government because the church has not been registered in Congo. And for the church to be registered in Congo, they need a letter from you that can confirm to this government that the church allows them to use the name of the church in Congo. Another one is that, you must write a letter to confirm that Ezekiel is a member of continuing church of God and can stand for the church in Congo.so those two letters you must write. Lastly the church must be registered in Congo for their safety. We have 22 members who are keeping Sabbath with Ezekiel and have been studying together with Ezekiel. Again there are other members who want join CCOG because they have confirmed that the teachings of CCOG are true and biblical. Especially today they believe that continuing church of God is the only true church of God. They continue to say that CCOG is following bible correctly.

So pastor we should help these people to register church here in Congo. …

Evans.

Anyway, yes we have started the process of officially registering the CCOG in the Congo.

Something, I have not posted here before is that late last summer evangelist Ochieng also went to Rwanda.

The following is from CCOG’s African website:

Rwanda

In late September early October 2022, evangelist Evans Ochieng made his first ever trip to Rwanda. He sent the following photo and report:

Pastor Dr Bob,

Greetings from Rwanda.

We had a wonderful Sabbath with our few brethren in Rwanda. It was a wonderful Sabbath and the brethren in Rwanda enjoyed the Sabbath of today.

So many people from far did not come. We only had their leaders.

They were happy to hear that the church is going to be registered in Rwanda. This was the main problem in Rwanda between the government and church. None is aloud to hold church meeting without certificate. Again it’s a law in Rwanda that you must build a good hall where you are meeting every Sabbath.

So they were in a problem and when the hear that the church is going to be registered, they were very happy. …

Evans.

We then had some from Rwanda come to Kenya to observe the Feast of Tabernacles:

Our brethren from Rwanda were very happy. I escorted them up to Kisumu on their way back to Rwanda. I gave them some pens, banner, laptop, different books and song books.
Thank you very much for the great support and good work for the people.

Evans

The group there had a sabbath-keeping background, but did not keep the biblical Holy Days before other than Passover.

Here is a photo of the small Kigali city congregation at home of the leader Moïse Nshimiyimana and an email from him from a few days ago:

Dear Pastor Dr Bob ,

Thank you for this good news of CCOG worldwide .

I thank God for protect us in trip we had at Kenya for attending Feast of tabernacles last month .

With brethren of Kigali city and Nyagatare district congregations , we are happy for enter in Continuing Church of God official .

Thanks about your continue to support us.

God continue to bless you.

Moïse .

Here is a photo of the brethren in the Nyagatare district congregation:

We now have two congregations in Rwanda.

Anyway, after they have asked to become part of the Continuing Church of God, in addition to providing instruction, we began assisting them in getting formal registration, which is required in Rwanda.

There are also with a couple of other groups in Rwanda expressing interest in being with us.

The Bible teaches:

27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27)

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:14-20)

Hungry widows and orphans are afflicted–and we are assisting.

We are now in the process of getting the Continuing Church of God registered in Rwanda. We are also looking at getting materials translated into the main tribal language there as well. A “great door” (1 Corinthians 16:9) seems to be opened for us (cf. Revelation 3:8) now in Rwanda–and we are working to go through it to fulfill Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:14 and 28:19-20.

So, in the past six months, we have established two congregations in Rwanda as well as two in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Were more Gentiles, like Africans, supposed to be called now?

Yes.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (Romans 11:25)

Here is what the old Radio/Worldwide Church of God taught about that:

Now study carefully beginning verse 25: “Blindness in part is happened to Israel [HOW LONG? Forever? No — note it], UNTIL the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” — the end of this age during which God is calling a people from among the gentiles to bear His name (Acts 15:14). And so, says Romans 11:26, “all Israel SHALL BE SAVED [how?]: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.” The Deliverer, Jesus Christ, is coming again!

When He comes, the gentile times will be over — the BLINDNESS will be removed from the Israelites — and their opportunity — their FIRST chance — of salvation will then come to those whom God had blinded! This is at the time when He comes to REIGN on HIS THRONE — the throne of David, with the saints made immortal reigning and ruling with Him — and the time is DURING THE THOUSAND YEARS!

Notice verse 31. These blinded Israelites have not now, in this age, received mercy, that through the mercy of the gentiles saved in this age, they MAY, THEN, obtain mercy and salvation. How? Because these saved gentiles will then be kings and priests, assisting in this wonderful Work! (Armstrong HW. Where Will The MILLENNIUM Be Spent? Tomorrow’s Word magazine, September 1971)

25: “Blindness in part is happened until Israel”-HOW LONG? Forever? No-note it-“UNTIL the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” -the end of this age during which God is calling a people from among the Gentiles to bear His name (Acts 15: 14). … These blinded Israelites have not now, in this age, received mercy, that thru the mercy of the Gentiles saved in this age, they MAY, THEN, obtain mercy and salvation. How? Because these saved Gentiles will then be kings and priests, assisting in this wonderful work! (Armstrong HW. Where Will The MILLENNIUM Be Spent? Plain Truth, February-March 1954 , pp. 4-5)

Now, the last one above was written BEFORE I was part of WCG, the first one was sent only to pastors (I was not one then), nor do I recall ever hearing this taught in church by WCG, UCG, GCG, nor LCG (all of which I attended before the separate declaration for CCOG).

This is a teaching that was restored in the CCOG–and we seem to be the main, as well as largest, COG to teach it.

More of the Gentiles had to be called–and that is happening.

Notice that the end does NOT come until the ‘gospel of the kingdom’ reaches enough nations and the full number (as the NIV, NLT, BSB, CEV, GNT, HCSV, ISV, and NET Bible, put Romans 11:25) of Gentiles God wants in this age come in.

Did Jesus indicate that a lot of Gentiles were going to be called?

Yes.

Notice the following from Jesus:

27 But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. 29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.” (Luke 13:27-30)

Gentiles will be among the rulers in the Kingdom of God. Yes, massive amounts of Gentiles will later be called in the age to come (see also Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation)–but Romans 11:25 shows that many need to be brought in BEFORE Jesus returns.

By the way, it should be mentioned that we did not go out and seek growth from Gentiles per se. Basically, what we did was to put out websites, articles, literature in multiple languages, sermons, and messages to reach around the world (Matthew 24:14, 28:19-20), and various ones contacted me. We are also on commercial radio in Africa, television in the African nation of Ghana, and shortwave radio in northern Africa–plus we are on AM radio in Europe, plus shortwave radio covering much of North America and eastern Asia (for details check out CCOG Multimedia).

What should the attitude of Christians be when God calls Africans or other Gentiles? Notice the example in the Book of Acts:

Acts 14:27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

Acts 15:3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.

Laodiceans, however, often refuse to accept the biblical need for the African Gentiles. Their attitude resembles that of many of the ancient Jews who were not impressed that Gentiles were becoming Christians.

In the CCOG we have 8,000 who claim to be part of us.

And yes, the bulk of those are people in Africa. We have put out materials in more languages, including African ones (we have translations into 80+ African languages), than any Church of God has apparently done throughout history.

Currently, we have had our English language booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom of God, translated into over 300 languages–and we are diligently uploading those online as well as working to increase the number of available languages higher and higher.

Notice the following:

9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, (Revelation 7:9)

Certainly, to work towards the above, church materials should be in as many languages as possible.

Jesus taught that fruits will identify the true from the false:

15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. (Matthew 7:15-20)

So, fruits are the criteria Matthew recorded that Jesus set.

Good trees produce a lot of fruit.

Deuteronomy 7:13 also refers to people as the fruit of the womb.

If fruits can be defined as people in the Church of God, then CCOG has those. The CCOG also has the last day’s signs of Acts 2:17-18 (for details, see Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?).

Anyway, the only x-WCG group to add over 6,000 congregants in the past ten years is the Continuing Church of God which began with 5 people on December 28, 2012.

When my wife Joyce and I decided we had to separate from our former COG group, we had to walk out on faith.

We could have possibly lost our business and livelihood as running CCOG takes much time away from our business.

We considered the cost, but through God’s grace our business has continued even as we have worked on an unpaid basis for CCOG.

We clearly are not hirelings (John 10:11-13)–ministering for a paycheck–as we do not take a salary from CCOG.

In hindsight, this has made availalbe funds which the CCOG has used to go through various open doors as well as to provide physical and spiritual assistance to people in places like Africa and Haiti.

Consider also the following statements from the Apostle Paul:

33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:33-35)

Supporting the weak and poor (Galatians 2:10; Romans 12:13; cf. James 2:14-16; Hebrews 13:16; Isaiah 58:7; Proverbs 28:27) is something that Christian leaders are supposed to do. This is something restored in the CCOG beyond what many others have actually done.

We did not start out with the intention to spend as much as we do on the poor, but it has worked out that way.

And perhaps that is part of the reason we have been blessed to be the fastest growing xWCG group in the 21st century.

We have had slightly faster growth than the old Radio Church of God did in its first 10 years.

And we continue to evangelize and proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles? Some in the West discount God’s calling of Gentiles, but the Apostle Paul wrote about the need for them to come to the truth before Jesus returns. Two somewhat related videos are available Gentiles and When Will Jesus Return? and Puerto Rico, Trials, and Triumphs.
What is the Ezekiel Warning? Should the end-time descendants of Israel and Joseph be warned? What should the watchman warn about? Regarding a watchman, you can watch the following video: Go, Set a Watchman.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from lower level leaders? Two related sermons are available The Work per HWA and the Bible and Priority of the Philadelphia Work.
Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word What is the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Will Philadelphian Christians instruct many in the end times? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work. Here is a link to another: Preparing to Instruct Many.
God’s Grace is For All Is being Jewish a hindrance to salvation? What about not being a descendant of Israel? What does the Bible really teach? Here is a link to a related sermon titled Race and Grace; Do you view race as God does? Watch also Mystery of Race.
The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You? This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have, including the biblical meaning of life. Here is a link to three related sermons: Mysteries of God’s Plan, Mysteries of Truth, Sin, Rest, Suffering, and God’s Plan, Mystery of Race, and The Mystery of YOU.
What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles? Some in the West discount God’s calling of Gentiles, but the Apostle Paul wrote about the need for them to come to the truth before Jesus returns.
What is the Ezekiel Warning? Should the end-time descendants of Israel and Joseph be warned? What should the watchman warn about? Regarding a watchman, you can watch the following video: Go, Set a Watchman.
Were the Ancient Tribes of Israel Black? Was Jesus Black? Some claim this is so. But what do the Bible and ancient artifacts show? Here is a link to a related sermon video: Were Ancient Hebrews Black? What About Jesus?
Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans? A related online sermon is also available: Africa: Its biblical past, present, and future. A video of possible interest is: Nairobi Conference: All About Love.
Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18? Does any church have the confirmed dream and prophetic signs of Acts 2:17-18? Should one? Here is a link in the Spanish language: ¿Tiene la CCOG confirmadas las señales de Hechos 2: 17-18? Here is a link in the French language: Est-ce que l’Église Continue de Dieu confirme les signes d’Actes 2:17-18? A related sermon in the English language is also available: 17 Last Days’ Signs of the Holy Spirit.
CCOG Multimedia What are many of the ways the Continuing Church of God is reaching people around the world to fulfill the commissions from Jesus in Matthew 24:14 and 28:19-20? What about literature, personal visits, the internet, radio, and television?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to four related sermons: The Fantastic Gospel of the Kingdom of God!, The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.