Revival Fire Ministries

Butembo 24th -28th August

 

 

 

 

 Oicha 3rd -7th August 2011

 

 

Panzi DRC Gospel Meetings – 6th to 10th July

Isaiah 9:2b Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.
While looking at some of the video footage from the Gospel outreach, it was amazing to see how the Spirit of God had touched the hearts of so many people – their faces were full of emotion, whilst tears flowed and rolled down their cheeks. Truly, upon Panzi a light has shined.

Main Open Air Meetings

The Lord graced us with five days of good weather. While Funu had rain every day, Panzi had good weather. Rain would have made it almost impossible to get to the field along the very narrow and busy road to Panzi. The crowd stayed roughly the same each day except on Sunday, when the attendance increased greatly. I preached a clear Gospel message and the response was powerful. Many were deeply touched by God’s Spirit and bowed their heads and called on the name of Jesus from the bottom of their hearts.
On Saturday, I preached on the heart of the Father and the wayward son. There was a real connection with the people, as thousands responded by running back to the Father and turning from careless lifestyles. During the prayer for the sick, many trustingly called upon the name of the Lord, and He showed abundant mercy to them, and delivered them in the day of their trouble. The whole team went among a group of very sick people and laid hands upon them and prayed for them. Everyone was moved with compassion as we saw the desperate needs that surrounded us. The Lord healed many of the sick and testimonies began to flood in. One particular woman comes to mind – she had been paralysed on one side and suffered great pain, but now she testified that she could walk without any pain whatsoever.

Leadership Seminar

Rodney Lloyd was inspired and used by the Lord to impart so much to the leaders. Together, Rodney and I ministered for six hours to open and receptive people. I truly believe that God is raising up His church in Bukavu. All the seminars were recorded by the local radio station, and will be broadcast again over and over. Several leaders asked us how we knew and understood the situation in Bukavu, as we were able to address the very points of issue that were causing problems. We explained that we did not know, but that Almighty God knew and cared for them so that these issues were resolved. I have great expectations that there will be lasting results from this work based on one good reason – there was a real spiritual hunger, which seemed to be almost at starvation point!
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Joshua On The Team

It was such a help having Josh on the team. He has now completed his high school in England, and feels that God has called him to the mission field. He is currently doing the International School Of Ministry (ISOM) correspondence Bible school, and next year we plan to send him to UK to do an excellent short course called School of Christ. Josh took over the video shooting, production and photography on this outreach.

Technical Team

Muraguri Benson and Alex worked very hard making sure that everything went according to plan. In one video meeting, our generator coughed and died! We later discovered that water had spilled and entered the diesel tank through a small service hatch. What a job to pump out almost 900 litres of diesel and then separate it from the water, and what a great team we have who could sort it all out! Thank you team. We were soon up and running and not a single main meeting was interrupted.

A Fountain Of Healing

A young boy on drugs who wanted nothing to do with God or the church ‘happened’ to be on the field, and during the prayer time for the sick, God touched him instantly healing him of terrible back pain. The goodness and mercy of God led to instant repentance! Now that he is forgiven, he wants to follow Jesus. He was completely healed, physically and spiritually.
Knee problems are a major cause of difficulty in Bukavu, since people have to walk everywhere up steep hills and carry heavy loads to the market. A lady was overjoyed and jumped for joy as the Lord touched her knees restoring strength and taking away pain.
The Mashie tribe has a history of many suffering with diabetes. A dear man came and told us that he had been healed of his diabetes. We advised him to go to his doctor and have his condition medically checked. He returned later with his doctor’s report showing that his blood sugar was now normal. Jesus heals impossible cases.

Teams Preach In Churches All Over Panzi

Rodney and Nita Lloyd together with Jim and Sue Christie were able to build up, strengthen and encourage many as they ministered all over Bukavu, including visiting two local hospitals. The needs are overwhelming, and the situation is desperate. It is impossible to help all those who are in such dire need, but we were able to assist some. We will remain in close contact with our friend Dr Sosthene and give him as much help as we can.

Nightly Follow-Up Programs Continue

Many people tune in and listen to these discipleship classes taught by Charlene Harris from the local radio station, even from as far away as Goma, which lies across Lake Kivu from Panzi, some forty to fifty miles away.

Bukavu DRC Funu 22-26 June 2011
I am writing to you from Bukavu Eastern Congo.  I have been here for 7 weeks now staying at the Swedish Mission which is a mission station that was built by Scandinavian Missionaries 60 years ago.  The Lord has helped us in so many ways to reach many in the city and below is a short report.  There have been many battles and many victories.  It was a big battle to get the equipment in but after many days the Lord undertook for us and the truck and equipment crossed the border from Rwanda into Bukavu.  Before you read the report below I have to write about an incredible team of believers that have been part of the many outreaches to the city.  At some meal times we were more than 30 people, all from different parts of the world but with an all-consuming passion to reach the lost in Bukavu.  There was the team from Australia headed by Jack Haynes from Imagine Nations Church.  There was the team from Malawi headed by Jamie Peters.  There was the team from Nairobi Lighthouse headed by John Magangi and there was our ever enduring faithful to the end team of Congolese brothers and sisters led by Bishop Uwezo who have stood with me through thick and thin.  These amazing people were sent by the Lord to help us and together we are able to write to you of the many outreaches by the grace of God we have done.  We still have 2 more weeks here and our second crusade is next week.  Please pray for us.  The people of Bukavu need Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

Prison Outreach
1250 prisoners slowly came out of their cells and gathered with some reservation. We had set up a little sound system and John Magangi from Nairobi Lighthouse Church preached a powerful word. The Holy Spirit gripped the prisoners’ hearts. The response was overwhelming and many received Jesus Christ as Saviour.  The prisoners were then given a gift pack of personal effects and also a huge meal of meat, rice and potatoes, which was prepared by Mama Pauline and her team. The ladies was allowed to go into the women’s section and pray with them and provide special gifts for each of them.  We also went to the teenager section and met a 12‑year‑old inmate.  Every prisoner and every guard was impacted by the love of Christ and the power of the Gospel.

Outreach To Abused Women
Dinah’s Sister’s Home cares for 70 troubled, abused and hurting women and approximately 50 children. Our ministry teams were able to pray for these women, and it was wonderful to see the Comforter the Holy Spirit touching broken-hearts.   We were able to give each mother a love gift pack and a small amount of cash to enable them to buy something for their children. A crèche takes care of the children during the day, while the mothers go out and work and in the evening they collect their children. These women were so touched at the love showed towards them that they spontaneously took up an offering among themselves and made us each a beautiful shirt.
.
Leadership Seminars
Roger spoke very clearly on Samuel and Eli. Samuel was the solution, whereas Eli was the problem. It was a convicting message, bringing much needed correction to the Pastors. The senior pastor of the church had been bedridden and very ill. However, he managed to get up and attend the meetings. At the end of the first day, we laid hands on him and prayed for him. The next day, he was much improved and by the weekend, he was back in his office having a meeting with all of his elders. Pastor Jack Haynes and Roger taught and preached the Word of God for over six hours in total. There was an openness and desire to obey the word of God. We prayed for many to be baptised in the Holy Spirit. I believe God is raising up a remnant of believers in Bukavu that will not settle for compromise and will be the glorious church shining without spot and wrinkle and ready for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Radio Discipleship
While we encouraged people to join the local churches, we felt that there was much more that we could do to get the new believers established in their new faith. It was then, during one early Morning Prayer meeting that the Lord dropped an idea into our hearts – Radio! We have now booked prime time just after the main news and each night at 9pm Charlene Harris is teaching a new believer’s class on the local FM radio station for the next 5 days.   We will take these new believers teachings on with us to the next towns and play them the week after we have held the crusades.  This is a great way to follow up the new converts.  Just about everybody here has a small radio.  We announced the radio frequency and the times and encouraged many to listen in.  Praise the Lord His word is going forth.

Street Outreach
Our visiting teams and the local Congolese brothers and sisters went out on the streets and to the markets. One team saw a lady sitting across the street looking rather despondent. They crossed and boldly asked her if she knew what would happen to her if she were to die. Her response was very direct; “Yes”, she said, “I would go straight to hell”. They started ministering to her, and after many tears she was gloriously born again. Peace flooded her troubled heart. The teams prayed for many in the homes.  One team gathered a crowd of more than 100 people gave an altar call and prayed for the sick.  We called them the “Sandwich Preachers” as they wore billboards with the Crusade Poster on the back and front of the billboard.  20,000 handbills were given out and people invited to the crusade.  It was a wonderful time to see the teams out on the streets going to where the needy were.  This is what Jesus told us to do, to go to the highways and byways and compel them to come in.

Water Filters
Pure drinking water in Bukavu comes at a premium. Many widows are not able to provide pure drinking water for their families. We were able to provide four widow groups with a very effective filtration system that provides clean and safe water for many families.

The Open Air Gospel Meetings
The venue could not have been better.  We were right in the middle of gangsters, thieves and bars. Very few church people attended the meeting! It was wonderful that the main attendance was by un-churched people. The simple Gospel message convicted hearts.  It seemed as though nearly every hand shot up on the field. Many prayed the prayer of salvation each night.  The gospel was clearly presented.  We preach the Lord saves.   Healing flowed like a river setting many free and healing many suffering.  One man had suffered with severe back pain and was forced him to wear a body brace. He removed it, and bent over without any discomfort whatsoever. We battled rain every day. The field was extremely wet and muddy, and yet the people still came, night after night. On the final night, I could see a huge storm approaching, but not getting any nearer.  It was as though an invisible hand held it back! As we closed in prayer, flashes of lightning struck and the biggest raindrops I’ve ever seen began to fall. In moments, the field was empty. It poured and poured.   God had graced us and held the rain back so that His Word could go out. What a victory God had given us.

We ask you to continue to remember us in prayer as we reach out to another part of Bukavu called Panzi. We have a week to prepare and then we begin the same once again. Panzi’s population consists mainly of villagers that have come seeking safety from rebel soldier attacks in the rural areas. 
Please pray for us after Bukavu we go to a different part of the Congo for 2 more crusades.  Pray that the Spirit will fall, many will be saved and true revival will be poured out. 
The famous missionary CT Studd came to Congo many years ago.  He laid down his life to reach the cannibals of this nation; we must lay down our lives too.  Thank you to the team who did lay down their lives your rewards are in heaven when we will see one day the full fruit of our labours on earth.

GOMA REPORT Democratic Republic of Congo 27th May – 1st JuneThe crusade was wonderful.  There were 13,723 first time decisions for the Lord.   I felt as if God was breaking through such darkness as the message of his love and saving power went out. The great volcano behind us continued to smolder, the town under the full control of the United Nations peacekeepers continued to maintain an uneasy calm and corruption and destruction was everywhere, but the mercy and love of God reached out to thousands.  Before the crusade I felt the Lord show me that for some in the meetings it would be the last time they would have the opportunity to receive the Lord.  We felt we were literally snatching people from the very gates of hell and giving them to Jesus for his safe keeping.

Uvira Crusade News.  10th -15th AugustGod alone saves and sets people free, but he uses people to do this.  Look how RFM together with you our prayer partners have reached multitudes this past week.  Uvira we had a daily attendance of about 12,000 people But it seemed like in the alter calls that almost every hand shot up to receive Jesus.  The band of counsellors were able to register 5,473 decisions for Jesus.  Over 10,000 books were put into the hands of new converts.  Before the end of the week new converts were going to the local churches asking to be baptized!  Let me focus on a couple of individual stories of conversion. Raymond the chief witch of the area was standing way at the back he had come to the meeting hoping to evoke the evil spirits of the Lake to hinder what God was wanting to do when suddenly he saw what looked like a dove that ascended from heaven and came to rest on the people receiving prayer he saw flames of fire.  Rather shaken by what he had seen he rushed home where he tried again without success to do his witchcraft.  He spent a sleepless night and the next morning he came to tell us he wanted to renounce his occult practices and receive Jesus Christ as his lord and saviour.  He knelt down and called on the name of Jesus for salvation gladly receiving Jesus and renouncing his works of darkness.

Kisantu 21st -26th February 2006 City Population 7km Radius 6,220 Kisantu (holiness), also known as Inkisi (river of fetishes), is a town in the western Democratic Republic of Congo, lying south west of Kinshasa, on the Inkisi River. While we were there, the dreaded river of fetishes flooded once again – many families had to vacate their homes, the bridge from one side of the town to the other was totally under water! Yet none of this stopped anyone attending the meetings, people gladly waded through the deep water just to hear the Word of God. Many told us how this river was cursed, bringing bad luck to the town. But as the Gospel went forth, and I preached on the BLOOD of Jesus, multitudes began to see that they were under the blood and not under a curse, as hope and faith began to rise. While we were there, the rain stopped, and the water went down. People were able to move back into their houses. Jesus saved and healed. Jubilant praises rang out each night. Truly the Gospel went forth in Power. In a 7km radius of Kisantu, there are just over six thousand people. By the weekend, over 12,000 people had attended the meetings. There was another flood; this time, a flood of people on their way to Heaven. What a glorious victory.

Mbanza-Ngungu DRC 7th to 12th February 2006

Mbandaka 15th - 20th February What a mighty God we serve. Tonight 18,000 people gathered in Mbandaka Stadium in the heart of Congo’s rainforest to attend the opening night of the crusade. Jesus saved healed and delivered thousands. From day one the counsellors were overworked recording the thousands of decisions for Jesus. There were so many people queuing to tell their healing testimony that most had wait to share on another night. My heart is rejoicing tonight as is heaven. Please continue to pray for us. As I said the closing prayer the heavens opened and torrential rain came down. It has now stopped but we desperately need the week to stay dry so people can freely come to the meetings. I have just stepped off the platform of the crusade. Tonight the crowd increased to 25,000 people. There were the most outstanding miracles I have ever seen. 4 blind people were healed.

Matadi 14-19June 2005 Pastors and leaders from 31 churches filled the venue at Cité Bethel Church ready with notepad and pens. They were so hungry and receptive for the Word of God. The Word found a home in many hearts, renewing minds and bringing revelation. I am sure there will be much fruit borne in the weeks and months ahead. God’s word does not return void.

One night on the way out of the stadium a man on crutches hobbled towards the car. There were hundreds pressing around me as I got out of the car to pray for him. I prayed in the name of Jesus be healed and jumped back in the car. Three days later he came and testified to his healing. Jesus is the miracle worker and signs and wonders follow those who believe.

Boma 12th -17th July 2005 The Saturday night of our meetings is always dedicated to teaching on The Baptism into Holy Spirit. It seemed like the Holy Spirit took every word I spoke charged it with power and carried it into the hearts of the people. A crowd of about 15,000 were gloriously baptized into the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. Then we began to worship. Many fell to their knees on the field just getting lost in adoration of God’s presence.

Muanda 9th -14th Aug The Journey It had been quite a journey to get to Muanda. The team left on Monday morning along a very dusty road to travel about 120Km from Boma to Muanda. An hour or so into the journey Charlene who was travelling behind the Generator noticed a flat tyre, to her surprise there was a loud bang and the opposite tyre burst! One of the men rushed back to Boma and got two brand new tyres, surely now we were set for the journey. They moved on again this time the entire tow hitch with the back bumper broke loose, the generator ploughing nose first into the dust. Thankfully no damage was done. The team split up and went for help. Jacques erected his mosquito net and seeped the night on the roof of the Land cruiser. In the morning the team met up again and put their heads together deciding it was not possible to tow the generator to Muanda. They returned it to Boma where God gave us tremendous favour and it was loaded onto a dredging ship that kept the path clear from Boma to Muanda. We had been given free passage. All of the equipment arrived safely.

Tshela 9th - 14th August 2005 Tshela has a total population of 27,600 including the surrounding villages.
Set in the Mayombe forest the Bayombe people are mainly agrarian people.
Caring for rubber plantations, pineapple farms and a huge palm oil industry.
Driving along the road it's not uncommon to see hunters with huge rifles slung over their shoulders, making a living and feeding their families from wild animals in the forest. Tshela is also the birth place of the countries first president Joseph Kasa-Vubu. This was the very first time an evangelistic campaign had ever been held in the town; almost 2/3 of the city came to the city stadium over the 6 days of the crusade. The meetings were broadcast live over the local radio station reaching into the surrounding villages.

Maluaka 24th -28th August 2004 Maluaka is a suburb on the very outskirts of Kinshasa . The last time they can remember an open air Gospel Crusade was back in 1982. Excitement and expectancy was very high. As the sun begun to set entire families came streaming to the field many carrying plastic chairs. They sat and stood in family groups swaying and dancing to the praise and worship bands. One of the participating pastors commented how the follow-up would be from home to home reaching entire households in a single visit. Over 40,000 people responded to the call of salvation on the final night alone. The Lord saved healed and delivered each night. A husband carried his suffering wife into the meeting. She had been bedridden and totally unable to walk and was due for surgery the very next day. The Lord set her free instantly healing her from all pain. The family stood together on the stage overwhelmed at what the Lord had done for them. On the Saturday night thousands received the baptism into the Holy Spirit as the presence and power of God rolled across the field.

Delvaux Field 27th July – 1st August 2004 Surrounded by lively street markets that had a constant stream of people coming and going from early morning to late into the night, the soccer field in Delvaux Ngaliema couldn’t have been a better location for our 2nd Kinshasa City crusade. The powerful sound carried the Gospel message to every market stall, while the Holy Spirit drew thousands to the field every night. Those that could not leave their stalls heard the word of God and responded right where they sat. Bernadette my interpreter, told me her daughter had visited the market after one evening meeting and every stall was talking and rejoicing about what the Lord was doing.

Kisangani 24th February – 1st March 2004 The Gospel message went forth powerfully for six days in Lumumba Stadium Kisangani Congo starting with just 6 thousand and building up to 60,000 on the final Sunday. The Governor exclaimed he had never seen the stadium so full. Night after night thousands called on the name of Jesus for salvation. Mighty signs and wonders followed the preaching. Jesus is truly alive.

Bukavu Democratic Republic Congo May 2003 As the gates of Kaduta stadium opened I could hardly believe my eyes as thousands poured into the stadium as the gospel choirs were singing the praises of God. The first day 40,000 gathered and by Sunday we estimated close to 90,000 were present. Everyday Roger preached the Gospel message and when the call for salvation was made every hand was raised and all prayed the prayer of salvation. Each day Roger prayed for the sick and also the broken hearted. The war has caused so many to give up hope and as he prayed especially for those affected by the war it was like the sweet comforting presence of the Holy Spirit descended into the place. One lady ran to the stage to testify that a huge growth had disappeared on her leg and you could even see where it was as the skin was still stretched. A young man testified how he had been healed of deafness the first day and could hardly believe it so waited until Wednesday to come and tell the exited crowd. I met with the ushers and counsellors before each meeting and they told me of how God had been healing them. One elderly man said his arthritis had left him and another lady who brought a raped lady to the meetings said the young lady felt a peace come to her heart that she had never known before.

Beni 9 - 14 September. Many diamond and gold dealers from around the world frequented Beni Hotel where we were staying and that attracted all the local prostitutes. Our hearts went out to them and we wondered how we could reach these girls. Shireen printed 60 invitations and gave them to the receptionist to invite the girls on Saturday at 8pm in the hotel grounds. We had no idea if any one would even come but word spread and 85 girls arrived on the night. We had proper church complete with songs and preaching and altar call. All the girls called on the name of Jesus for salvation. Several girls fell to their knees crying tears of repentance. We spentone hour laying hands on them and ministering to them.

Butembo 26 - 31 August Multitudes call on the name of Jesus in Butembo Eastern Congo on the final Sunday This was the promise the Lord gave us for Butembo. Grey misty and cold weather had set in during the weeks Shireen and the preparation team were in this equatorial town in Eastern Congo . Now we needed a miracle if we were going to have a successful Crusade. God astounded us all. Literally minutes before starting time each day the sky would suddenly clear and bright sun would come out and the gospel message ring out loud and clear. Just as warmth radiated from the sun, healing radiated from heaven and miracles happened wholesale. Only one day there was a light drizzle but what so blessed us was that people would not go home, they would rather get wet and hear the Word of God. I was able to preach a full message in the rain to what seemed to be a congregation of umbrellas. During the altar call no hands could be seen so instead I said wave your umbrella if you want to receive Jesus Christ. Umbrellas waved all over. All the other days were dry and sunny. The crowd grew from 10,000 on day 1 to 45,000 on the closing Sunday. The counsellors daily recorded thousands of decisions. One hundred plus churches worked with us coming from Baptist and Pentecostal backgrounds.

Gospel goes out on Radio. Every day the whole message from the Crusade and Seminars was broadcast on 3 radio stations across Eastern Congo .

Couple travel 200 KM to the Crusade. Word spread far and wide. One man brought his sick wife who had not been able to walk without help. Jesus not only saved the whole family but also completely healed the sick lady. They went home saved, rejoicing and free.

Healings Jesus saved and healed and baptised into the Holy Spirit. A lady had suffered with a lump in her breast after prayer it totally disappeared. A soldier who had gone deaf from a career in artillery now had his ear opened. A Pastor’s swollen foot was instantly healed.

Preparation Four weeks of preparation had preceded the crusade with Pastor London, his wife Pauline, Pastor John and Shireen visiting dozens of churches for intercession training, counsellor and usher training, choir rehearsals, a Pastors banquet, youth rally’s, widows meetings, ladies meetings and couples meetings. Also we fed and visited 80 prisoners seeing all accept the Lord and leaving them with follow up booklets.

It was a miracle that we were able to hold our latest crusade in Eastern Congo . Since December 1999 a fierce ethnic battle has been waging between two tribal groups the Hema and the Lendu. More than 50,000 have been slaughtered in this small Ituri province of Eastern Congo . In Bunia alone 20,000 have been killed since the beginning of the year. Our preparation team with Shireen spent 3 weeks in Bunia to prepare for the crusade. Night after night UN tanks rolled past the house where they were staying, machine gunfire was heard overhead. On every corner were sandbagged lookout points with UN peacekeepers on constant alert. They had been attack a few days before our arrival by a militia group and a fierce gun battle had raged for 5 hours. The RFM team were embedded with the UN peacekeepers but for a different battle. Now it was a battle for the souls of men and woman. Shireen’s first official meeting was to visit the Governor. He was cautious about whether the crusade could take place due to the security but told us to continue with the program. Our prep team held more than 50 meetings teaching and preparing the ground for the crusade. Many people we had met in our last crusades in Congo were praying for us and as the days passed it continued to look positive.