Africa Conference 2017

By Bob Thiel

Nairobi, Kenya was the location for a Continuing Church of God (CCOG) conference in Africa. This is the second such conference we have had in Africa (the first one was in 2014).

Prior to the conference, Serbia-based Aleksandar ‘Sasha’ Veljic visited various brethren in Kenya and sent out the following email:

Greetings dear brethren,

I am taking advantage of the fact that I have a wi-fi at the hotel where I am staying tonight, so I am able to drop you a few words. I arrived to Kenya last Friday evening, just about the beginning of the Sabbath. The hotel in Nairobi didn’t have Internet access, so I basically couldn’t write anything. Then we kept the Sabbath with a small group nearby Nairobi. On Sunday we hit the road and travelled to Kenya interior. That traveling has continued to today and will will continue until Friday. Then after the Sabbath at the home of pastor Evans Ochieng, it should continue next Sunday. I have been preaching the Good News basically day and night, trying to help the small congregations in Kenya and also help pastor Evans and ease his burden. I have been giving him and his son some useful ideas on how to speed up the Work in this area. And I am full of impressions. The brethren are generally responsive and just yesterday we had an unexpected visitor from Adventist church. Upon hearing my preaching on the meaning of prophecy and seeing that the congregation remained still for three hours, this man declared that he cannot longer be in the Adventist church and wants to join this Church that preaches the truth. Another younger man, right after my speaking, asked pastor Evans to baptize him soon because he is ill with cancer and he doesn’t want to die without being baptized in the true Church of God. (Please, pray that he would be healed of cancer).

The greatest miracle for which I prayed in this country is – rain. I began to cry and pray to God for that miracle because there was nothing I could do about it, nor there is anyone who could have done anything about it. I asked God to intervene for our members have not been able to grow crops, many remained without seeds and some were facing starvation to death. So I began to pray for rain. And the first word that was on my mouth ever since I arrived in Kenya, the word that I so often mentioned was only one word – rain. On the Sabbath, I prayed with the small local congregation in Kitangala, nearby Nairobi, for the rain. On Sunday, as we were asking blessing for a meal, I mentioned rain. Ten minutes afterwards there came rain over the city we were staying in – Narok. In the following days it was raining everywhere. Even tonight, here where we are staying (Kissi town) we had a downpour of rain. Exactly what I asked God, everything happened when it comes to rain. I have tens of witnesses that it is true.

I now pray for other miracle – that I would manage to get organic seeds to our brethren, so that they would be able to grow their own food. If you don’t mind, please join me in prayers.

I am supposed to return to Serbia on February 13th, following the Church conference in Nairobi. On another topic, I connected a man from Tanzania who got in touch with me seeking the truth with these people even before I came to Kenya. This evening, the man wrote me the message and asked about baptism. He kept the Sabbath with our members in Tanzania last week and he is very happy with it. A young man from Uganda also contacted me even before I came to Kenya and he has been searching deeper understanding of the truth. I have connected him to this people even back then and continue to maintain that contact.

Again, I couldn’t write you anything as I was on travel, then I had no Internet and tonight I am using that opportunity to drop a note that I am fine and will continue to preach the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God. I could tell you yet many things about the ways that we have preached Gospel here without saying a single word, simply because of our skin colours, but I will leave that for another time.

Would you, please, in the days to come, set aside a day for fasting and praying for the success of our Church conference here in Africa, which will be held next week.

With appreciation and gratitude,
Sasha

Since I was going to fly to Kenya, the following Sunday, I bought seeds based on that email (as far as the rain goes, see also Rain miracle in area of drought).

I flew to Kenya with the maximum allowable weight of two checked bags (50 pounds each, for a total of 100 pounds).

The bags contained some clothes and personal items, but mainly contained printed literature and seeds.

Bag one only contains CCOG literature

Bag two contains seeds, CCOG literature, a Feast of Tabernacles’ banner, and personal items

I brought over 173,000 heirloom, non-GMO, vegetable seeds (these are seeds which produce future seeds which are capable of producing future plants). The seeds themselves are not heavy like the literature is. I knew that taking the seeds into Kenya was a possible customs’ risk, but since they were packaged and non-GMO I felt that it was worth the risk to take them in order to try to assist some of our struggling brethren in Kenya.

Literature brought included booklets, magazines, and song books, in multiple languages.

Additionally, I brought ten flash drives that contain our English language booklets, plus the Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God, as well as a Bible Hymnal template, so those in Africa could possibly use them in order to translate materials into various local languages. I also gave a flash drive to Aleksandar ‘Sasha’ Veljic to bring to Serbia for those there to be able to translate.

We had so many volunteer to translate into other languages, that after coming back to the USA, we sent another 9 flash drives with literature to be translated.

The Conference

While we had meetings from February 7th-11th, the conference officially ran from February 8th through the 9th.

We conducted lectures on a variety of topics, such as why the true Church of God is all about love, truth, the gospel of the kingdom of God, history, prophecy, and reaching people in various languages.

I also provided doctrinal training and went over how the Continuing Church of God differed from various Sabbath-keeping groups such as the Seventh-day Adventists and the Church of God (Seventh Day), and various groups whose leaders were once part of the old Worldwide Church of God. We also explained some differences with Protestants, Mormons, the Eastern Orthodox, and the Catholics of Rome and answered various questions.

We also went over plans for Africa and how we expect to reach more in Africa through literature, personal contact, and the internet.

While God calls (John 6:44; 1 Thessalonians 2:12), this has physically been done by people reading my writings, and then by Pastor Evans Ochieng visiting many areas and telling the message of what we in the Continuing Church of God are doing and believe, with support from others.

Consistent with what the Apostle Paul wrote, I have been planting, Pastor Ochieng has been watering, and God has been giving us the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6).

Conference in Nairobi

We had about 58 people attend the conference. While the bulk of attendees were from various parts of Kenya (which is also the nation we have the most members in), we also had leaders from Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Plus one from Serbia, as well as me from the USA. Hence, we had leaders from eight different countries attend.

Nairobi Conference Attendees 2017

Grantone Mangiana Otieno, Host, Migori in Kenya
Kennedy Odhiambo, Deacon, Oyugis and Nyaliacla in Kenya
George Ochieng Otieno, Host, Opasi, Ikoma in Kenya
Hoseya Bauleni, Host, Migowi in Malawi
Radson Enock Mulozowa, Host, Migowi in Malawi
Charles Otieno Aton, Host, Ndhiwa in Kenya
Jared Odhiambo Ounleor, Assistant Host, Migori in Kenya
Silas Kinyua Muriuki, Host, Kitengala/Nairobi in Kenya
Martin Ongenga Wanga, Pastor, Tarime in Tanzania
Rosemary Akinyi Ochieng, Deaconess, Ndhiwa in Kenya
George Onyango Kisiengo, Host, Ndhiwa
Charles Odure Awour, Ndhiwa in Kenya
Bartholomayo Otieno, Deacon, Ndhiwa in Kenya
Ezekiel Ombasao Oanda, Pastor, Rofiego, Bethsaida, Leperi in Kenya
Samuel Marube Omambia, Elder, Rosiaga/Eberge in Kenya
Henry Paul Oirere, Elder, Mau in Kenya
Wedison Matiya, Pastor, Chindola in Mozambique
Oared Odhiambo, Kenya
Andrew Olinande, Assistant Host, Ndhiwa in Kenya
Bradox Ouma Ochieng, Deacon, Ndhiwa in Kenya
Samuel Ofosu Gyeabour, Overseer, Kumasi in Ghana
Koang Deng Gatluak, Deacon, Gambella in Ethiopia, plus South Sudan
Ondigo Nimrod Ochieng, Deacon, Isibania in Kenya
Joshua Ogodo Ogodo, Assistant Host, Sondu in Kenya
Irine Anyango Obonyo, Deaconess, Sondu in Kenya
Benta Atieno Othomno, Ndhiwa in Kenya
Dorothy Akinyi Oyoo, Ndhiwa in Kenya
Jacob Okoth Kungu, Host, Mbani in Kenya
Pilista Odira Gor, Oriang in Kenya
Charles Okeyo Osutwa, Ndhiwa in Kenya
Simion Okeyo Yotto, Deacon, Rusinga Island in Kenya
Samwel Kipngetich Koech, Pastor, Transmara in Kenya
Armstrong Dorman Bakko, Pastor, Achina/Kumasi in Ghana
Andrew Otwande Gondi, Church Secretary, Ndhiwa in Kenya
Thomas Kingetich Koskei, Pastor, Bomet in Kenya
David Kipkorir Langat, Church Secretary, Rift Valley in Kenya
Stanley Vibet Fiongik, Pastor, Narok/Mau in Kenya
Joel K. Chirchir, Elder, Ololulunga in Kenya
Isaya Ouma Owak, Pastor, Giribe in Kenya
Mary Cherotich Begen, Narok/Mau in Kenya
Richard Kipromo Bet, Deacon, Narok/Mau in Kenya
David Cheuyot, Elder, Hakuru in Kenya
Juliana Sawek, Narok/Mau in Kenya
Christopher Ogonya Oduogo, Church Secretary, Kiseke in Kenya
Jacob Ochieng Oduogo, Host, Kiseke in Kenya
Tiongik Sawek, Pastor, Chiliani in Kenya
William Kirui, Pastor, Motosiet/Transmara in Kenya
Nelson Kirui, Pastor, Transmara in Kenya
John Cheruiyot Towet, Elder, Nakoben Village/Mau in Kenya
Erick Kipkorir Koech, Host, Bomet/Kelonget Village in Kenya
David Kipkorir Rono, Youth leader, Chilani Village Transmara/Rift Valley in Kenya
Nelson Kipylgon, Pastor, Narok/Mau in Kenya
Andrea Raura Kabebe, Shipati in Tanzania
John Otieno Owak, Pastor, Migorwi in Kenya
Frederick Ochieng, Ndhiwa in Kenya
Evans Ochieng Kisiengo, Evangelist, Ndhiwa in Kenya
Aleksandar Veljic, Elder, Uzice in Serbia
Bob Thiel, Worldwide Overseer, California in USA

Most were very eager to learn more of the truth as well as support the work as we strive to fulfill Jesus’s commissions in Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19-20.

Various ones who did not have a Worldwide Church of God-related background (like Protestants as well as those with a Church of God, Seventh-day background) had doctrinal questions that were different than those I have tended to encounter much. Enough so, I decided to add some additional information in one or more of our booklets in future editions.

So, we are trying to assist them and others “grow in grace and knowledge” (2 Peter 3:8.)

Jesus once said:

34 … “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.  35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!  36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.  37 For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’  38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.” (John 4:34-38)

This really came to my mind while I was there meeting with our African leaders. There is so much interest in Africa and we were thankful for the openness to the truth we found. Most of the Africans we (Sasha and I) encountered (during the conference and otherwise) were noble-minded like the Bereans of old and were willing to accept the truth as it agreed with the scriptures (Acts 17:10-11).

The literature I brought has proven to be highly popular (I even brought some literature in French that may assist us in Ghana). We also need to print more literature in Africa and have plans to do that.

We also discussed the use of the internet in Africa and many were excited. We discussed our YouTube channels (ContinuingCOG, Bible News Prophecy, CCOGAfrica) and how to use this media more effectively–we have messages in multiple languages at the CCOGAfrica channel. We also announced a new website (CCOGAfrica.org) and how we expect to make it easier for Africans to find congregations in their areas.

After I discussed languages and what we have been doing, several volunteered to translate our literature and other materials into some languages that I am not even sure I had heard of prior to the conference.

Literature is a very effective open door (cf. Revelation 3:7-8; 2 Corinthians 2:12) to reach people in Africa. Even though English is an official language in many African nations, having printed materials in the local/native languages is very helpful to reach people interested in the truth.

The Bible teaches:

9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-11)

Therefore, having materials in multiple languages can assist in God’s calling of people “of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues.” It should be mentioned, that although I did bring literature with me, that we do print materials in Africa. We discussed printing more materials in more languages in Africa while I was there, and we expect this will reach many, many more in Africa.

After the official end of the conference, we had many meetings with various leaders to discuss their issues and concerns. These informal sessions were helpful and lasted until I left.

It appears that we are poised for more growth as well as providing a greater witness across Africa.

Ordinations

It has been my view, as well as the view of various others in the Continuing Church of God, that since he has been doing “the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5), that Pastor Evans Ochieng Kisiengo should receive an ordination as an evangelist. That had been my plan for some time, and since I had been in Kenya, that was possible.

Before I came to Kenya, Pastor Ochieng asked me to approve his request for several ordinations, which I tentatively did before arrival after asking Pastor Evans some questions about those he suggested.

Jesus said:

37 “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

Most of the brethren in CCOG realize that I have long urged them to pray for more laborers for the harvest.

Well, we now have several more ordained laborers. We prayed that God would grant more of His Holy Spirit to the following as they were ordained in the roles listed after their names:

Tiongik Sawek, Pastor
William Kirui, Pastor
Ezekiel Oanda Ombaso, Pastor
Martin Wanga, Pastor
Aleksandar Veljic, Elder
Nimrod Ondigo Ochieng, Deacon
Kennedy Odhiambo, Deacon
Erina Anyango Obonyo Deaconess

All those mentioned were anointed with oil and had hands laid upon them.

How will the work of God be done?

6 “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:
‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
Says the Lord of hosts.
7 ‘Who are you, O great mountain?
Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!
And he shall bring forth the capstone
With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”‘ (Zechariah 4:6-7)

41 ‘Behold, you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’ (Acts 13:41)

Please believe that God is directing His work and allow Him to direct your life (cf. Proverbs 3:5-6).

Pray that God will be able to work with all of our leaders, ordained or not, so that we can properly shepherd the flock (Acts 20:28) and keep false doctrines from affecting the brethren (Ephesians 4:11-16).

Comments from Elder Veljic, Deacon Ochieng, and Evangelist Ochieng

Serbian CCOG Elder Aleksandar Sasha Veljic sent in the following report about the conference:

THE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE IN NAIROBI

Due to a huge potential to grow, as well as very receptive audience to what CCOG has to announce to the world, the all-African conference was held in Nairobi, February 8-9, 2017.  Not only was there a need to get all those interested leaders in one place, but there was a great need to clarify some doctrinal confusion that is being perpetuated by some Sabbath-keeping groups which traditionally exist in Africa.  On the other hand, many African members, even though they are keen about the Truth, need to be well instructed in all the biblical doctrines.  The Conference in Nairobi attempted to respond to such needs.

The topic of prophecy causes much interest in Africa.  Thus, the first day of the conference was dedicated to a large extent to what will be happening in the coming years as far as the appearance of the „first beast“, the man of sin and the subsequent fall of the Anglo-Saxon nations.  The source of confusion being perpetuated by the Sabbath keeping groups, whose presence is very heavy in Africa, is that America is supposedly “the second beast“.  Such claims and various others, for example the ideas about the “mark of the beast“ have baffled many of our members.  Therefore, such a confusion was cleared and the prophetic events laid out and explained.

The Church history, albeit not very much popular subject to many people, was also explained during the Conference as one of the crucial issues.  Namely, if we don’t know our history, we have no idea what are we continuation of.  On the other hand, when are clear about the origin and development of the Catholic and Orthodox churches, as well as the Protestants who sprung up from them, then we understand why those churches are not the true Church as they all claim to be.  The doctrines and beliefs that we hold are found in the history of the true Church, but the doctrines of those other churches are not.  The Protestants in particular hate the subject of Church history because it absolutely debunks their claims.  In one case – Calvinism – there a sheer racism in Protestantism because of belief that only 2% of mankind will be saved, and all of them white people.  We as God’s people are to be aware of our history throughout the ages also because it is prophesied that in the last days there will be present four churches of Revelation 2 and 3.

The topic of various offices in the Church of God was also covered.  In accordance with the Scripture, several individuals were ordained.

Elder Veljic told me and Evangelist Evans Ochieng that he would like to come back to Africa and assist again in the future.

Deacon Ondigo Ochieng (who is not related to Evangelist Ochieng) sent the following:

Dear Dr.Bob,

Many thanks to our almighty and praise Him more for making the conference a success!

Your prayers and ours were answered and God made even the state of Kenyan politics to favor us.Hope you heard that there was a planned industrial action for opposition leaders on February.God almighty turned it down.We thank God dearly for answering Aleksandar’s prayer about rain.We had started struggling to get water but God intervened and it rained.

The teachings that God gave you throughout the conference opened my eyes in a mighty way! You expounded much about the man of sin,Two horned beast of Revelation 13,church governance,African plan and many more.

Many thanks to you and Pastor Evans for the love of truth you have.I like Pastor Evans.His heart is after God’s Work.Your prayers for more laborers have been answered and I myself did not know that I will be ordained one of the laborers.Thanks so very much and may God bless you,Pastor Evans and the entire Ministers and congregation of CCOG!

Best regards
Ondigo Ochieng

We had concerns that political protests in Kenya could have stopped the conference, but we prayed about that prior, and were able to hold the conference as scheduled.

Evangelist Evans Ochieng sent in the following report:

General overseer Dr Bob.

Greetings from Kenya.

I want to thank you for the greatest work that was done in Kenya. It has make steps ahead. The travel of Elder Alexander and the conference in Nairobi has made very many steps forward. I am getting many calls especially from Rift Valley and some workers in that hotel who want join CCOG. They are saying that they were touched by the prophecies and church history which they heard when you were teaching in the hotel. Some congregations from seventh day church of God from Rift Valley have also contact me that they want to join CCOG. This is because the organization that is in CCOG is well organized and the teachings are good and prophetic. So it seems that the work in Rift Valley and Nairobi is going to increase. I will visit this congregations in Rift Valley on sabbath.

Thank you very much for the wonderful work in Kenya.

MALAWI

The brethren in Malawi and Mozambique have called me today and told me that they met and have started to process how they can register the church in both countries. I will let you know where they have reached and how much it will cost them to register the church.

Evans

Yes, some who worked at the Karibu hotel were we held the conference became interested in the Continuing Church of God because of what I and others were teaching during the conference.

As far as Malawi goes, I have since received a copy of an initial document that was filed since receiving Evangelist Ochieng’s report above.

Ghana Report

Ghanaian Pastor Samuel Ofosu Gyeabour sent in the following:

We express our sincere thanks for your support and prayers that led us to be part of our historic conference held in the far East of Africa Kenya.

After landing at the Kenyatta Airport we were conveyed to the Karibu Hotel scheduled for the conference by the representative there on the morning of the 7th February 2017. The conference officially commenced on the 8th February on the Theme: “What the Church of God is about. The essence of Leadership and the Love Leaders of God’s Church should have for the flock as shepherds. “

The host Pastor Bob Thiel made it known The Creator have a purpose for the Church which cost Him the life of His begotten Son to fulfill it. Several quotes that exhibits the theme in relationship to mankind were outlined to justify the theme with emphasis expressed on ( Philip. 2:5) He made mention later in the message that ” Humility” as one of the genuine products of the Spirit amongst others is very essential and should be ADORNED in the saviors vineyard.

Variety of topics were brought to light and addressed especially , CHURCH HISTORY. How the Church of God spread to the Asia Minor, America and the World at large: The Heretical behavior, Leadership crises that causes division among the Church which long ago was predicted by the Apostle Paul in the book of Acts. (20:28-31) etc. Again he also briefed the conference stating clearly that the Church is a  Family ( Eph. 3:14) having its own beliefs which the Apostle Paul stated. Jude admonishes us in his epistle verse.3-4. The Host brought to light about his plans for the continent of Africa highlighting the Gospel of the Kingdom of God being the central theme  of the work assigned to Gods Church to fulfil (Mark.16:15, Matt.28:18-20).

Divinely something strange and of cause during the climax of the conference happened when the host requested the Kenyan Overseer and Me to Ordain Him on the basis of Biblical understanding and regarding our efforts to bring the people of Africa to the light about the perfect will of God. Honestly, this part of the conference boosted my morale and afterwards the host also ordained me and strengthened me to stand firm in the work  with his experiences and hardships he encountered previously. Several questions were asked which in response the host made it categorically clear that he is human and not perfect and more importantly, is willing to learn from us together citing the work of God is not academic but Spiritually inclined under tbe guidance of the Holy Spirit referring to (1Corint. 2:1-6).

The host attention was humbly drawn and addressed on the Passover feast and the regard for Only the first and the Last day of the feast than the rest of the days of Unleavened Bread whilst all have the same spiritual significance. He on notice accepted the important issue raised saying he was going to look at it very carefully at home in America portraying a testimony of Humility. After the lectures the host wanted to know our opinions about the conference and the way forward as well as our plans to enhance the ministry. We delivered to him from Ghana on paper in consultation with the Elders before leaving for the conference and promise to hear from him after studying it. Remarkably the conference was an eye-opener, educative and lesson experience packed one. I am therefore very grateful for the necessary support and prayers that enable this Historic journey.

May The Good Lord bless the family abundantly and more blessings to Pastor Bob Thiel the host for the funding and tuition.

Best Regards.

Pastor Samuel Ofosu Gyeabour.
Ghana.

Pastor Samuel Ofosu Gyeabour

Pastor Samuel Ofosu Gyeabour spent a lot of time with Pastor Evans Ochieng and I while in Kenya as we continue to try to work with those in Ghana.

Report From Malawi

Host Radson Mulozowa of Malawi sent in the following report:

Greetings From Malawi. I Would Like To Thank God For The Growth Of His Work Both Malawi And Mozambique.

Migowi Is growing Fast Following My Visit To Kenya. Am Busy With Pastors And Brethern Who Wants To Join CCOG.