On March 14, the second annual All Nations Celebration took place at St. Luke, Haslett. 220 people from many different nations came and worshipped together. Just as last year, the event was filled with singing and prayer and fellowship.
One of the groups in attendance was the French Congolese choir, a small but mighty group that got the other attendees singing along during their offering. The choir is part of a larger group of French-speaking Congolese immigrants that gather weekly at Immanuel, Grand Rapids.
How the Partnership Began
Rev. Craig Bickel, pastor of Immanuel, Grand Rapids, explains that over 10 years ago, a man named Leon Budibuende reached out to Immanuel about a place for their group to meet to pray. Immanuel’s leaders talked and shared with him they don’t give space to groups outside of Immanuel to meet in, but they did offer to team up together and share our Lutheran Theology. Budibuende was open to learning and growing theologically, so they set to work.
Budibuende and Bickel made a trip to Benediction Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, where LCMS Pastors Don Hougard and Guy Cosonga (EIIT graduate) have a team ministry to French Congolese, Hmong, and German saints. “They were a great help in guiding us,” says Bickel. “They helped us understand the challenges and joys of inter-ethnic team ministries.” For example: schedules, food, styles, and routines are all different among different ethnic groups, and that sometimes can be a challenge and distract from the unity we all have in the Gospel.
Bickel continues: “Budibuende applied and was accepted into St. Louis Seminary’s EIIT program. He was being greatly blessed by the EIIT program out of St. Louis. The support and encouragement he received was wonderful. However, in his second year of his studies he passed away from Covid. His passing away in 2022 was a great loss to his wife Virginie, their five children, and their faith community.”
New Leaders
Since then, another Layman, Jeremie Mulajii has stepped in to shepherd the group. Mulajii and 7 others are taking the Deacon/Ministry Assistant classes through the District’s Michigan School of Missional Formation. Bickel meets with this group about every other week to discuss their studies and answer theological questions they have. He says: “This group is eager to grow in the Lord’s wisdom and in our Christ-centered Lutheran theology. Al Renard has been a wonderful help from the District. Students have realized that biblical theology is Lutheran theology.” The hope is that, when these classes are over, two or three men will go on to the EIIT program in St. Louis to seek ordination.
Gathering
Every week the French International Fellowship (mostly Central African immigrants) meets for Bible study, prayer, and celebration. They gather with anywhere from 30–50 French speakers at Immanuel. They are also active with other immigrant groups in Grand Rapids, helping them to acclimate to America and be connected to our Lord and Savior Jesus. They are passionate about doing the work of an evangelist.
About twice a year, the French Fellowship group worships together with Immanuel, but usually the congregation has its two services in English on Sunday morning while the French Fellowship gathers from 3-5:30 p.m. Every other week, 15-20 people from the French Fellowship join with 70 other 20-somethings from different countries to study God’s Word, pray for each other, and sing praises to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Leon Budibuende’s five children are still very active servant leaders in the French Fellowship community and the Congolese community in West Michigan. Every week, 5–10 students from West Michigan University travel up to Grand Rapids to meet Jesus at the French Fellowship. This has happened because of the children reaching out to other Congolese with Jesus’ love.
Bickel concludes: “Immanuel has experienced what Pastor Don and Guy shared with us ten years ago: inter-ethnic ministry is a great joy and also has some challenges. Yet we know that the Church is one under the lordship and truth of our Savior Jesus Christ. He keeps us focused and united in this ministry.”
Featured group photo courtesy of the French Fellowship/Immanuel, Grand Rapids.
Photos of All Nations Celebration by Elisa Schulz/Michigan District, LCMS
