A weeklong training on JESUS Film, Light Stream, and Orality was led by Nzola Long Dieumerci, which brought 25 participants from different areas of Cameroon to the capital city of Yaoundé. These trainings are contributing to rapid growth in Cameroon.

During the day, the Orality Training was done, and each evening, hands-on Jesus Film showings and Light Stream training were held. The participants learned on the job how to be the technical crew that facilitates these ministry tools. Participants and leaders were equipped with a new way of evangelizing and discipleship. Special emphasis was placed on the positive outcomes of the JESUS Film showings.

The technique of orality, a long-standing tradition in Africa, emphasizes biblical stories with a cultural background and biblical worldview. Participants were tasked with choosing a story and sharing it in the best way—whether through drama or simple storytelling. They were also taught how to facilitate asking questions and answering them.

During the training, each area representative from Cameroon could draw up a three-month plan on how they will share these biblical stories and make disciples in their communities. 

A Light Stream Wi-Fi box was left with each representative to use it in his or her area. These boxes are loaded with the JESUS Film in many languages, as well as discipleship training resources and tools that many African leaders consider to be valuable to the African population who have access to cell phones.

“It was a privilege to have Field Strategy Coordinator Mario Martinez and missionary Jaques Balibanga participate in this training,” Nzola said. “The Africa Region requests prayer for the new work in Cameroon that is also seeing rapid growth in the Church of the Nazarene.”

It is through these trainings that the work of the Church of the Nazarene is growing. During the 2022 annual statistics report, there were no organized Churches of the Nazarene in Cameroon, despite the country’s presence as a World Area for the denomination since 1999.

Through these collective trainings, emerging leaders in the different regions of Cameroon have become more equipped to share the gospel within their contexts through a variety of media. In turn, these trainings are helping flood Cameroon with new believers. “These engaged trainings changed the way of working ministry into life,” Nzola said. “Now, Cameroon has more than five churches and ten different preaching points. With great hope, we can see a significant growth in Cameroon.”

--Church of the Nazarene Africa