MAY 2017 UPDATE

MAY 2017 UPDATE FROM SIERRA LEONE.

 “When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken to up to heaven”... {Luke 24:50-51}.

It was a great event in the history of the salvation of mankind, as the journey of the promised of our Lord to go and prepare a place began with the ascension last week. We thank God that the work of salvation was completed and the lord went up to heaven to prepare a place for us, believers. While this is going, on we must not relent in our efforts to preaching the good news of the kingdom.

 I am pleased to present to you an update for the kingdom work in the month of May as they happened here in Sierra Leone. Though for the past three weeks I have not been feeling well because of arthritis of the Spine. I thank God there is improvement, with excise and medication. I appreciate your prayers all.

KABALA EVANGELISM CAMPAING: This was an event organized by the church in collaboration with the churches within Kabala. It was a three days gospel campaigns where the gospel was preached every evening of April 27-29 and then ended with a thanksgiving in the CRC kabala Church on April 30. Many people gave their lives to Christ and people were prayed for God’s mercy in their lives.

CHRISTIA REFORMED CHURCH SHALOM RADIO: Gradually things are taking shape concerning the radio equipment that was donated to the church by the Council of churches of Sierra Leone. We have visited other private radio stations within the region in Makeni such as the catholic radio, and others, useful information and adviced were given. Presently we have submitted application for licenses to the appropriate government agency saddle with the responsibility of registration of private media houses. Also we have started construction of the studio. Trusting God for the radio soon.

FORAY AND MARY SESAY: We give thanks to God Almighty for seeing Foray and Mary through their studies at Veenstra Theological Seminary Donga Nigeria successfully. Foray graduated with a Bachelor of Christian Ministry and was ordained last year in Nigeria based on the request of the CRC SL. Foray and his wife and their kid Samuel have now returned to Sierra Leone to work with the church. On June eight [8] 2017, the Executive committee of the church will be meeting to assign Rev. Sesay to a place of work . With the coming of Rev. Sesay the church now have ten [10] ordained national pastors, with nine in active service following the retirement of Rev. Jalloh  last year.

YIRAH FILAYAH AND LENGEKORO CHURCH BUILDING: As reported previously in my blast two updates, we are pleased with the assistance received from the Nigeria CRC in helping to build and  renovate churches building in two communities namely Yirah Filayah Badela and Lengekoro. Yirah Filayah , this is their first time to have a church in their community, while as for Lengekoro it was a renovation of an existing structure.

CES PLAN FOR NEW COMMUNITIES:New communities where selected by the CES for community development work  in their efforts of reaching out to the  under developed and neglected communities to improve food security as well as creating awareness. The joy is that we work hand in hand with CES . Igaia and Lengekoro are communities that CRC have planted churches . So working in such places is a boast for the growth of the church.

THE MULTIPURPOSE , OFFICE AND CHURCH BUILDING: We really give thanks to God Almighty for his grace , presently we have done the decking for the first floor of the second phase of the building. The first t which was roofed last year , we have begun the plastering from inside , it’s the building we are now proposing to be used for the radio. Last Friday over 80 young and strong people worked on the pouring/ decking of the floor. Presently the money I got from our brethren in Nigeria is finished. We are hoping that fund will still be coming from all lovers of the Sierra Leone ministry work to enable us finish this building so that we can move in. When done, the building will accommodate both CES and CRC SL staff.

 We indeed appreciate all of you that have been giving as well as praying for this projects. For it to come at the level in which its now, it mean that you prayed and also supported financially. We will continue to still appeal for support to enable us reach our goal for the glory of the name of the Lord.

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WELLINGTON YOUNG ADULT: We are continuously experiencing the grace of God on the growth of the church in the cities. Wellington Church is one of the new churches we planted in Freetown less than three years ago. For the first time the young adult of the church organized a weekend revival program which ended with a thanksgiving service expressing their gratitude to God for his grace in their lives as young people. Especially learning and growing in the Reformed world and life view. Rev. Moses M Jawara who is the pastor, is also the President of the CRC –SL , . Wellington Church is operating in a rented apartment, For the past two years, we have been paying for the rent. The congregation is hoping to pay part of the rent for next year beginning December. This is a sign of possible growth and reduction on dependency. The event was colorful other churches within the area where also invited to the program. I was the guest speaker of the event.

NEW CONVERTS: Every day the church continues to grow as new converts are added to the church.  The aftermath of the crusade is encouraging before Christians who rededicated their lives we are getting new people who are coming into the faith. Recently Foday Bah and Fatmata Kamara gave their lives to Christ and are now attending the church.

APPRECIATION: Beloved thank you for all your support for the ministry. We remains grateful to God and to you for your support. Please continue in the good work you are doing, the Lord God will surely bless you . Heavens records your generosity to the Church.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1.       Pray for the Shalom Radio  that we will get the approval to operate, to enhance the promotion of the kingdom work through media.

2.       Pray for more fund to complete the Multipurpose Church and office building.

3.       Pray for Rev. Foray and his wife as well as Samuel their son as he begin work. That God will bless his ministry with the CRC-SL

4.       Pray for the National leaders of the CRC Sl as the meet next week for wisdom to lead his church.

5.       Pray for my health that God will grant me full recovery to carry on with the work he has called me and my family in Sierra Leone.

6.        Pray for our Children Joyce, Judith and BERNHARD back in Nigeria for God’s protection. Bernhard have written his West African Examination hoping to have the results that will enable him enter college.

7.       Pray for Mr. Bah and Miss Kamara, that they will be steadfast in their new found faith in Christ.

8.       We are expecting an intern  from Calvin Seminary in USA this summer  pray for his safe arrival are all the necessary logistics he will need for his coming. [Richard Britton is his name.

Submitted by.

 Rev. Istifanus B Bahago

Consultant CRC –SL /Crwm  Sierra Leone

Phone:+23278264240, +23277668139.

Email.ibbahago@gmail.com. istifanusbahago@yahoo.com