Reverend William Mbuluku, the leader of the Back to God Hour’s French-language follow-up work in Bangui, Central African Republic, was riding in a truck in a remote part of the country. The truck blew a tire near a small village, so he had to stop and wait for the tire to be fixed. While he was waiting, Pastor William noticed something very unusual.
At 6 p.m. all activity in the village stopped. People began to gather into two groups, each with a radio at its center. Curious, Pastor William wondered what was happening. To his amazement, he heard the voice of Rev. Paul Mpindi coming over the air as the Back to God Hour’s French-language radio program began. After the program ended, the groups disbanded and everyone went back to his or her work. Pastor William learned that the whole village had a daily rendezvous with their radios at 6 p.m. to listen to the BTGH program.
Even Rev. Mpindi was surprised to hear of this village ritual. “I personally had no idea that people were so serious about listening to our broadcast. This is both exciting and scary for me. Please pray that I may always be faithful in the preaching of the Word of God. People gather to hear me talk, not because I have an impressive voice but because of the inherent power of the gospel.”
The Back to God Hour is thankful for the enthusiastic responses from the countries where its French-language programs air. It receives between 9,000 and 10,000 responses a month (letters, e-mail, walk-ins, and so forth). Pray that BTGH leaders may receive wisdom and strength as they deal with daily challenges in this growing ministry.
About the Author
Nancy Vander Meer is a staff writer with Back to God Ministries International in Grand Rapids, Mich.
