Celet Nkobe is from the Congo,where he grew up in the Disciples church. Now he is married, has four daughters, and lives in Nashville. He used to worship at Donelson Christian Church, and has been coming to Vine Street on Sunday mornings for a little while (together with his friend, Frank Nkosso).

A few weeks ago he approached me about his desire to attend our church’s training for church planters in Indianapolis. He talked about his wish to serve as the pastor for a small, but growing group of families and individuals from his home country. There’s a hunger among them for worship services in French and the familiarity of prayer traditions they all grew up with.

Celet was able to attend the training in Indianapolis thanks to the support of the Tennessee Region and Vine Street Christian Church, and now he wants to start this new congregation, Nouvelle Aliance Christian Church.

The Elders agreed to host the group for about a month in the chapel (on Friday nights, 6-8 pm and on Sundays), and after that trial period, we will sit down and talk about if and how we want to continue the nesting arrangement. For now, this is a new ministry of our Elders; once we decide to continue to host this new congregation, we will put in writing all the details that need to be considered.

When Celet returned from the training in Indianapolis, he showed me a picture of Sharon Watkins, our General Minister and President, and his face lit up. “She spoke Lingala with me!” He didn’t know that she had spent several years of her life in Congo in the mission field, and she made him feel right at home.

I am grateful for the opportunity for us to offer hospitality to a group of fellow-disciples, far away from home, remembering that we all gather around the one table. And to think that this is also the continuation of a story that began with our support of missionaries to Africa, makes it even more beautiful.

Losáko, Nouvelle Aliance! Boyei bolamu!
Hello, Nouvelle Aliance! Welcome!