Planting new churches is the most effective evangelistic strategy in the world. Thus, it is central to our purpose. Below are updates on new church plants and recently established CCCU churches.
Christian Union Church, Democratic Republic of Congo
Dr. Ralph Hux shares, "At the General Church Extension meeting in May, the Caribbean Global District announced the launch of a new ministry of their district in the African country of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Caribbean District is not only looking for and developing church planting opportunities in the West Indies, but in many other places around the world where connections and opportunities with the district exist. The following is a brief report of the work currently underway in DRC. Please add this new church and planting effort to your prayer list and let us support one of our newest works on the continent of Africa. If you would like to give financial support for this project, please contact the General Church Extension Department."
Bishop David Chandler: "I am happy to report that the ministry of The Christian Union Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is doing well by the grace of God. It is located in and around the town of Goma which is in the north eastern sector of the DRC close to the Rwandan border. The ministry is led by Pastor Celestin Mulanda and has three congregations comprising of an average of 60 members including children. Health and poverty are their two main challenges as they continue to deal with the treat of Ebola and now Covid-19. They need training for their leaders and discipleship materials for the members besides financial assistance to purchase sanitation material and to enhance the buildings they occupy for worship. Thank you for your continued prayer, love, and concern."
Elim Evangelical Christian Fellowship, New Jersey - Pastor Bowles Taitt
I have often heard it said that God has a sense of humor. If that is indeed true, then I can attest to it. If one had told me seven months ago that I would be planting a church, I would have laughed. Impossible! Not me. That’s not my area of giftedness. Pastoring an established church - definitely. Leading a plateaued or dying church in a revitalization project - sure. But planting a church, never. Now here I am, months into starting a church plant with the assistance of Anesta Ambroise.
How did this all come about? For the past two years I have been concerned about the members of our church {Miller Evangelical Christian Union} who were relocating from Brooklyn to New Jersey. After stepping down from the position of pastor in January 2019, the new pastor, Justin Lockhart, Anesta Ambroise and myself, briefly spoke about the need for someone to plant a daughter church in New Jersey to meet the needs of our members who had relocated there. Never in a million years did I desire or plan to be that individual. As I stated that is not my area of giftedness. But God had other plans. Bit by bit he started to burn a passion within me for a New Jersey church plant and in December, he made it clear in no uncertain terms that I was to be the one to head up that project. I have learned over the years that God doesn’t always call the gifted but he always gifts the called, so here I am.
I relocated from Brooklyn to New Jersey in January of this year and started meeting for Bible Study in the homes of the members of the core group on a rotating basis. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic we now meet via Zoom. There are 6 families in the core group. The plan is to start outreach once the pandemic is over and we secure a place to meet.
The name Elim is taken from Exodus 15: 27 - Then they {the Israelites} came to Elim where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.
1. Elim represented a place to experience God and fellowship with each other – the presence of God always stayed in the camp when the people rested.
2. It was a place of provision – God provided twelve springs of fresh water for the weary travelers.
3. It was a place of rest in the shade of seventy palm trees for the Israelites from their escape out of Egypt and their journey through the Red Sea into the wilderness.
4. It was a place of preparation – Moses would have had the opportunity to prepare them for their journey to the Promised Land.
The Significance of the name Elim for our Church Plant
1. It signifies a place of Spiritual rest and refreshing where the presence of God can be experienced.
2. A place of refuge and hope for seekers and new believers.
3. A safe place for children and young people where they can debrief from all the negative forces around them and reload to face the temptations of the world that clamor for their attention.
4. It is a place where believers are equipped to spread the love of God and take the message of salvation to unbelievers.
Elim Evangelical Christian Fellowship is to be an Oasis (place of refuge) where people from all walks of life love and worship God; love, inspire and strengthen each other – the church gathered; and are equipped to be a great commission movement - the church scattered.
God is in Christ reconciling people to himself … and he has given us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:19
