One of many recent baptisms in Congo

By faith we know that the time is coming when the earth will be “lightened with his glory” and that “Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” (Rev. 18:1; Isa. 60:3) How we look forward with joy to this time, but is there an experience that God is calling us into before He can entrust us with this power? Isaiah 58 reveals not only the power but also the conditions of this promise. “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning… then shall thy light rise in obscurity….” (Isaiah 58:8, 10) In each of these powerful promises of the loud cry, there are conditions attached. “If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke… if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry….” (Isaiah 58:9, 10) Do we want to experience the power of God more fully than it has ever been displayed? Do we desire to see the message go to the ends of the earth? If we do, then this entire chapter deserves our careful thought, prayer and study, for it is the study and application of this chapter which will revive us and our churches. “I have been instructed to refer our people to the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. Read this chapter carefully and understand the kind of ministry that will bring life into the churches.” Medical Ministry, 263. Not only will these words give us a new life, it is a message which we are to read and give again and again. “Read the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. Read it over many times, and you will receive a deeper impression each time.” Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, 359. “The whole of the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah is to be regarded as a message for this time, to be given over and over again.” Welfare Ministry, 29. As we desire the power of final message, may we also seek the character of the final message, as well.

Believers are lining up to receive baptism in Congo

On the fourth of July, while fireworks are exploding across the country, Mike Bauler and I will be on our way, not to commemorate the freedom of our country, but to proclaim the liberty of the gospel to thousands within the needy country of the Democratic Republic of Congo. While it has been over a year since we were there last, the work has not stopped but kept marching on. Brother Kasongo continues to lead and direct the team of Bible workers/church planters who are faithfully laboring for the salvation of souls for the Master’s kingdom. The work has spread from one small village to entire sections over hundreds of kilometers. Indeed, His truth is marching on! This is no easy territory to cover with barely any roads and no regular transportation, but the brethren are bringing Bible studies and Bibles with them as they walk hours and days to work for the Master. The need for more workers is great, and even though we have not been able to increase the support for these self-sacrificing workers, they have added ten additional workers to join in giving the truth for this time. As the work of sharing the last message of mercy goes forward, so do those who make decisions for the Master. Recently over one hundred were baptized, but there are hundreds more waiting baptism and thousands more studying and preparing to commit their lives to Jesus Christ and His message. The Lord is blessing, but the needs continue to be great. There are now over fifty Bible workers raising up and establishing new churches. There are over forty schools teaching several thousand children principles for this life and for the life to come. There are Bibles needed and Bible studies and Spirit of Prophecy books in their own language to be printed, churches and clinics to be built. The list goes on and on, but an impact is being made in this forgotten corner of Congo and your prayers and donations are greatly appreciated and needed. Next month, we will share firsthand how the truth is marching on! May we send forth the message with our prayers, donations and voice, and may we prepare our hearts to be part of this earth-circling loud cry!

Church planters in Congo gathering for training

Yours for the finishing of the work,