The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to 87 million people–10 percent of which are Muslims. Sheikh “W. D.” was one of their number living in the city of Lubumbashi. As a young boy, he was a good learner of the Quran and dreamed that he would lead many people to the Islamic faith. W. D. developed a passion for religious books, and he became a good leader at his local mosque, teaching the Quran and inviting even Christians to study with him.
But one day on a city bus, Sheikh W. D. met a young man reading a book called Acts of the Apostles. “May I read your book until we reach the next bus station?” he asked. The young man obliged. “I want to buy this book,” the Muslim said after reading.
His new friend was not about to give up the book. “You can buy one yourself at the Adventist bookstore in Lubumbashi,” he suggested.
The following day, Sheikh W.D. found the bookstore closed. It was Saturday. “Adventists do not do business on Saturdays because of their faith,” a passerby explained. From that moment on, W.D. wanted to learn about Adventists and to find more of their books.
In due time, Sheikh W. D. moved to Kinshasa for business reasons. During the 2020 lockdown associated with COVID-19, W.D. felt restless. He decided to walk the street near his home, and there he met a nice lady carrying brochures. “Would you like to spend your lockdown time reading God’s Word?” she approached him and asked. She introduced him to the Discovery Bible series of 26 lessons.
When the Sheikh learned that the street registration tent and Bible study program was organized by the Seventh-day Adventist church, he was pleased. He wanted to discover why Adventists are different from other Christians. In a matter of 26 days, he had completed the Voice of Prophecy study guides and responded to every single quiz. He felt excited to discover the truth about Jesus, His church, and more Bible truths like the Seventh-day Sabbath. All the while, Train Them 2 Fish-sponsored Bible worker (assigned to the street tent not far from W.D.’s home) answered many of his questions and led him to know more about Jesus. Finally, W.D. decided to give his life to Jesus and be baptized.
Even though his family still lived in Lubumbashi, he quickly started sharing Bible studies with them through WhatsApp video calls. He connected his family to an Adventist pastor in their city for follow up, and as a result, W.D.’s wife and two daughters have been baptized. They plan to join him in Kinshasa soon.
W.D. attended our six-week Bible worker’s training program in Kinshasa. Today, he is one of our most dedicated Bible workers, leading many people to Jesus in Kinshasa. He has been working under a tent, sharing Voice of Prophecy lessons with others. His goal? To plant an Adventist church in one of the twenty-four sections of the city where there is no Adventist presence.
By September of 2021, he had already led fifteen people to Jesus and baptism. He has more than 50 students enrolled in the Voice of Prophecy program at his site, and they gather for Bible study three times a week.
This former Sheikh needs your prayers and support in order to carry on his new assignment as a Bible worker in the busy streets of Kinshasa.
