Inside Story: Show Me Your Church, part 2
Roger asked his pastor to visit his school and explain what Adventists believe
Image © Mary Anderson from GoodSalt.com
and why the congregations in the Republic of the Congo met in houses, sheds, and covered courtyards.
The next day Roger struggled to listen in class while the pastor and the field president met with the school director. The meeting seemed to last forever. Then moments after the pastors left the school, the director stepped into Roger’s classroom and said, “From now on no exams will be scheduled for Saturday.” Then, looking at Roger, he added, “Now I understand why you honor your Sabbath.”
One day Roger’s biology teacher urged Roger to consider his future and set aside his faith until he graduated. Roger told him, “I can’t do that, sir. God commanded me to keep the Sabbath day holy, and I must obey.” Then he told his teacher about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refused to bow to the king’s image and were thrown into the fiery furnace. “These men didn’t know if God would choose to save them,” he said. “But they preferred to die rather than dishonor God. I can do no less.”
The teacher asked Roger where his church met. Roger explained that during the civil war in Congo, the government had confiscated the church’s clinic and church building. “Today we have no building.” He reached into his book bag and pulled out his Sabbath School lesson quarterly and showed him the map on the back cover. “We are few in the Congo, but we are millions around the world.” The teacher was amazed that there were millions of Adventists around the world. He asked many questions about the Adventist Church and what they believe, and Roger answered them all. He gave the teacher some books by Ellen White. Many other teachers and fellow students asked Roger questions about the Bible.
As the national exams approached, the school director asked Roger what he would do if an exam fell on Saturday.
“That’s not my problem,” Roger said. “My duty is to keep the Sabbath. If that means that I fail the exam, so be it.” When the exam dates were posted and no exams were scheduled for Sabbath, Roger knew that God had done this to help him show others that God honors those who choose to obey.
Today thanks to your Thirteenth Sabbath Offerings, two churches stand as lighthouses in the Republic of the Congo. Your mission offerings do make a difference.
Roger Wazoua passed his exams and is preparing to become a pastor in Africa.
Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.
Find more stories like this at AdventistMission.org
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Amen, am so happy. i love Jesus with all my heart, and as long as i leave i will serve him with my whole heart. Amen ,happy sabbath day to you all,may we all remain bless in Jesus name Amen.
It’s a privilege and a great opportunity to read the Sabbath School lesson this week. I find it very useful and a tool in my class discussion. I’m one of the teachers of our Sabbath School,(Cagayan de Oro City Central Church, Philippines). I’m impressed upon reading the story of Bro. Roger (Show Me Your Way, part 2), God bless his ministry. Hope he will continue to shine on till Jesus comes. God bless.
Amen…….If we stand up for God he will do the same for us we just have to trust him and have faith.
Praise God saints! I am so impressed by Bro. Roger’s testimony. God has many ways to save and bless His children. Let trust HIM for the best to come.
God bless you all.
Great to see a humble servant stand for Christ and God’s word. It’s an honor and not a sacrifice to live a life of purpose. It’s really cool to have the transparency into where the North American offering I give/return goes!
The church needs people like Roger who stand for the truth and not compromise between the truth and apostancy.May God bless him as he is preparing to be a pastor in Africa