Sometimes referred to as the "Diamond of Africa", the Congo covers nearly a million square miles of Africa’s heartland. Explored by Livingston, Stanley and others, it became the Belgian Congo in 1908, received independence in 1960, was named the Republic of Zaire in 1972, and was renamed the Congo after a revolution in 1997. The language of government and education is French. There are also four official trade languages, and almost 200 known tribal languages. Despite vast natural resources, the population of about 50 million people has an average annual per capita income of less than $100. Animistic beliefs plague the church, leaving many members lacking the power of life under the lordship of Jesus Christ. Personal discipling, strong local fellowships, and Christian community development remain critical needs, as evidenced by continued political and social unrest and a subsistence economy. The ministry served by IOM is located in the central area of the Congo, among the Atetela people who number about 1 million.
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International Outreach Ministries was established in 1986 with the purpose of furthering the Christian mission in the world through administrative, strategic and spiritual support. In the Congo, IOM assists the local church with a ministry of discipleship and pastoral training, and assists the community with the development activities of FODESA (Foundation for the Development of the Sankuru), a non-profit organzation recognized by the Congo government and focusing on agricultural development, education, and medical care. IOM is currently represented in the Congo by the Dean Jordon family serving in Kinshasa, and the Pierre Ngueliele family and the Timothy Henry family both serving in Lodja.
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Timothy and Sharon are part of the IOM Congo ministry team in Lodja. They serve the Lord through medical evangelism, discipling and Christian literature translation, and by lending counsel and encouragement to the leadership and members of the body of Christ in Lodja. After specialized training in eye care and cataract surgery, Timothy has established the region’s only surgical eye center at Centre Medico-Chirurgical Lukumu L’Ololo and is overseeing the construction of a small eye hospital which will serve as a reference and training center for medical personnel throughout the region. Sharon helps with clinic administration and is an active part of the literature translation team, in addition to continuing her work of homemaking and hospitality. God has called the Henrys as a family to be living demonstrators, proclaimers, and extenders of His kingdom and love among the Atetela people, and wherever He leads. |
