An epic journey in the steps of CT Studd

WEC had been celebrating its centenary with the WEC-founded church in Congo by providing motorbikes for church pastors, whilst learning about and praying for the challenges facing the church today.

What happens if you take seven blokes from 4 different countries, and give them 6 motorbikes in northeast Congo?

Answer: a life-changing experience!

In January and February of this year, these 7 guys biked across some of the worst roads in the world, passing through dense rainforest, meeting, encouraging and being encouraged by the CECCA16 church in that area, and discovering the joys and sorrows that are all part of life in Congo.
Aware of God's protection as they narrowly missed meeting a rebel group on the road, the group journeyed about 700km, sharing life with the church as they passed through different villages and towns en route.
Stephen McGoldrick, heading up the team in Congo, reflected, “on our journey we were reminded of the vast Christian heritage in Congo; at Wamba, we prayed with others at the memorial to the martyrs killed in the Simba Rebellion in the 1960's. Then, in Ibambi, we praised God for the lives of CT Studd, and others who brought the Gospel to this area of Congo”.
Another group member, Adrian, was moved by Congolese brothers and sisters who prayed that, just as the gospel had been brought by a westerner to the heart of Africa, so men and women in the west would once again choose to be part of the good news.
The bikes have been given to the church and have been allocated by the church leadership to ministries throughout the region. One pastor, seen here receiving his bike, is responsible for the pastoral oversight of an area stretching almost 800km, which he previously travelled through by bicycle, and by hitching lifts! The gift of a motorbike will greatly strengthen his ministry.