SparkLit provides seminary graduates in the Democratic Republic of Congo with French editions a study Bible and an Africa Bible Commentary. Héritier Agasa tells us why these books will be indispensable.

“As a young boy I sang in the church choir:

My brother, what will you choose today, dying or living?
Believe in the Lord Jesus,
Receive life in the beautiful home of God.
Come, come, come and choose.

As I sang, the words of the songs gradually became real to me and I accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour.”

Only God can bring peace and hope

“To provide for my brothers and sisters, I joined the police force. It is very difficult for a young Christian man to work in the police force in the Democratic Republic of Congo. There is much corruption, violence and many temptations.”

“During my fifteen years serving as a police officer, I became more and more aware of how much my fellow officers needed a life-changing relationship with Jesus. I shared my desire to minister to these policemen and policewomen with my pastors in the church I attended. They wisely advised me to seek further training.”

Now I am ready

“For three years I studied at the Theological Institute in Aru, 300 kilometres away from my wife and six children. But the sacrifice has been worth it. I have deepened my understanding of my faith in Christ and learned how to share my faith with those around me.”

“While studying I realised that to prepare Bible studies and evangelistic talks it is necessary to have good Christian books. My fellow graduating students and I received your gift of a New Life Study Bible and Africa Bible Commentary with great joy. I could never afford to buy these books myself. Thank you for replacing my gun with a Bible and commentary. Now I am ready.”

Pray for me

“I returned home in 2019 to a province still in the grip of civil war and an Ebola epidemic. Please pray that as Chaplain to the police force in Bunia I will mobilise others to speak out strongly as Christians. Please pray that we will be the people of peace and integrity our country needs.”

Héritier Agasa graduated from the Institut Theologique d’Aru with a diploma in theology.

$70 will provide a New Life Study Bible and Africa Bible Commentary to a graduate in DR Congo.

When our National Director Michael Collie visited Cambodia in 2019, Vann Menghoeun told how reading has sparked and ‘fanned the flames’ of his faith.

As a young Buddhist, Menghoeun was prevented from joining a monastery.

“I wanted to become a Buddhist monk. But because I have only one arm the head monk said ‘no’. I was not surprised. I knew this taboo was consistent with Buddhist teaching, but I felt angry. I decided to change my religion. I began to study Taoism until I again discovered that having an incomplete body made it impossible for me to enter a monastic order.”

Fearfully and wonderfully made

But when Menghoeun met Jesus he knew he was welcome.

“A Christian friend included me in his social circle. Together we went to the beach for picnics. He invited me to church and gave me a Bible. I am by nature curious, earnest and thorough so I started to read the Bible beginning at Genesis chapter one verse one. God spoke to me when I read Psalm 139:13. ‘For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.’ I was overwhelmed by gratitude and joy. I decided to trust in Jesus.”

Books make us strong

Menghoeun thanks God for many blessings. “My father was a labourer and couldn’t afford to send me to university, but God enabled me to do tertiary study, have a computer, get a job, marry and find a house.”

“Christian books have made me strong. If we want to become more like Jesus we first have to know him. Reading helps us to know and follow Jesus. Christian books help us to understand God’s word and put it into practice. Books are especially useful for young people making big decisions and church leaders teaching and caring for their people.”

Sharing the gift of reading

“In my spare time I distribute books published in Phnom Penh by Fount of Wisdom. These books are published in the Khmer language for people from a Buddhist background. I sell books in universities and churches. I choose books to complement each conference, lecture or sermon. Before I recommend a book, I read it so I can explain what it will teach us and how it will help us. Once people discover how useful books can be, they ask me what they should read next. They ask me to tell them when I think a new book might be important for them.”

“Reading is good for you. Reading is encouraging and makes us strong. Christian books even helped me choose and court my wife. Love and Courtship is a book I can recommend from personal experience! Please pray that books will also help me become a faithful and loving husband and father.”

For five years, Vann Menghoeun has distributed books published by Fount of Wisdom in Cambodia.

$3000 will enable the publication of a new book written in Khmer by a local Christian.