CHAD PROJECT
New People Group Adoption
How Will They Hear?
God is still at work in all the nations by bringing people to Himself, that will worship Him for all eternity. In early 2020 a Survey Team, from Cedar Crest BFC, was sent out to different people groups in the country of Chad in Africa. Cedar Crest has since adopted the (K) People Group of Western Chad and joined a church-planting team with Africa Inland Mission (AIM).
Today, we have commissioned Alex and Fernando & Margot to go bring the gospel to the K people of Chad.
The Team
These CCBFC members currently are or will be serving as part of an AIM church-planting team in Chad.
Alex
Alex is currently on a ministry team that is learning the heart language and building relationships within the community. They also have our own community English Center as well as the opportunity to do discipleship among southern, non-indigenous believers to equip them for the work of the ministry of making disciples of all nations.
Fernando & Margot
Fernando and Margot will be joining a newly established church-planting team with Alex to share the message of the gospel while working with adults at a cultural center teaching English & French and engaging the youth with sports.
2025 Pastoral Survey Trip Update
At the start of the year, a pastoral team visited our team member Alex, who is on the ground in Chad. The purpose of the trip was to continue to build relationships with the K people, engage with the French-speaking church, encourage Alex, and get to know the AIM team he is laboring with. The team included Pastor Jason Hoy, Nathan Trommler, John LoRusso, and Fernando DeSouza.
The following is a report from Nathan Trommler, Director of Outreach.
When asked by one of our hosts the last evening of our trip, “What did you learn, what surprised you?” Among the readiest reflections was I am more aware in a place where I feel much more vulnerable, how desperate I need the Lord’s intervention in my daily life.This sentiment captures the nature of our trip from the time we got to the airport in NJ and there was no record of our extra 8 bags to arriving in Chad where part of our luggage was detained by corrupt airport officials seeking a bribe. From sickness to sand everywhere and teaching God’s Word to listening to the desires of lost souls in a deprived country. The Lord’s presence was felt constantly and the adjustment to a very different way of living and thinking was mediated by a prayer-hearing God who we communed with throughout the duration of our stay.
The highlights of the trip included the following:
- Meeting Alex team leaders and having times of prayer, discussion, and meals together to imagine what God may continue to do and opportunities untapped
- We spent much time with Kanembu people whether in the marketplace, playing a footie, making a run to the small stores (like Bodegas/corner marts in our cities), or even a personal invitation to Alex’ language partner’s home for tea
- We made multiple visits to the ‘Oasis’ Language Center and were present for the official opening ceremony where several dignitaries were present including the only known believer of the K-People.
- We met the Chef-de-Canton a title given to the local rep. of the K-People and he is a chieftain of sorts who welcomed our presence in Mo-Town. (We exchanged gifts with the Chef and Pastor John received one as well).
- We had a sheep slaughtered and invited many friends of Alex and Fernando’s who enjoyed the meal with us. It was all men comprised of both Southern Chadians (non-Muslim) and K-People.
- We had teaching opportunities at the local Chadian church the ACT in which Jason preached in the morning service, we had communion together, and then John and Nathan both taught sessions on missions to a joint group of 5 or more local denominations.
- We got some work done on Fernando’s house and did some strategizing about future improvements.
- We visited leaders of the EET—the host denomination for AIM in Chad—and a language center ran by a different mission’s agency who offered critical feedback about how the K-Language is being turned into a written language and the incredible opportunities on that front.
- We spent time in the capital to round out our time and prayed and debriefed about all we saw/experienced. We enjoyed a rooftop BBQ to close out our time which overlooked the main river on Chad’s western front.
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What’s Next?
So, what’s next in advancing the gospel in Chad? This is a point of constant prayer and discussion, both for our present commissioned missionaries, but also for future workers and short-term teams.
What would it look like to continue in our two-pronged focus of ministering to the unreached of Mo-Town and building up the local Chadian church as well towards greater faithfulness and multiplication? In the meantime, be a part of what God is doing.
Giving Opportunities
Oasis Center
The Oasis Center helps our team serve the K people through English teaching, sports, and other trainings. This gives us a good reception in the community and opens doors for gospel conversations. Funds will be used for monthly rent, building repairs, and supplies for classes and trainings.
Chad Fund
This fund exists to enable our team on the ground to do various projects which are beyond the scope of their normal budgets. This could be for home repairs/improvements, trainings/seminars, or aid in short term trips/assignments. Ultimately, these funds aid in advancing the establishment of local churches in Chad.
