Central Africa

map of CARThe country of Central African Republic (CAR)

CAR is located in the very center of Africa and was recognized in 1960 when it gained its independence from France. It covers an area of 242,000 square miles (about the size of Texas) and lies just north of the equator, bordering Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, Congo and DRC. Its population has quadrupled since 1960 and it now has around 5 million inhabitants, made up of about 80 different ethnic groups each with its own language, although Sango is spoken by many, and French is the official language. Its capital is Bangui, on one of the main rivers (which runs into the River Congo), but most of the people live scattered around the country, depending on subsistence farming. There is little modern development or industry, with cotton being the main export (although there are mines that produce diamonds mostly exported illegally). AIDS, malaria and sleeping sickness claim many lives and maternal mortality is one of the highest in the world - and there is only one major hospital! Half the adult population is illiterate and even though government schools are free for ages 6-14, many children receive little or no education. Currently there is reported to be major trafficking in children for sexual exploitation, or to work in homes, agriculture or the mines, and rebel groups often kidnap children to train as soldiers. There is no doubt that there is GREAT need for children's ministry there, as even though half the population is considered Christian or Roman Catholic, most still follow many of the animistic beliefs and rituals. In March 2013 Seleka rebel groups took over the country in a bloody coup, and there was continued violence (particularly against Christians) in the ensuing months. In January 2014, after millions fleeing from their homes, and the country being on the verge of a humanitarian crisis, French and other foreign military aid intervened. It is hoped that a new government, once established, can bring stability and will be able to reduce the corruption and provide better government so that the many resources in the land can at last benefit the people of this very impoverished and undeveloped nation.

CEERCA logoPastor Honoré and CEERCA

In late 2009 we began communicating with Pastor Honoré Boundou and his wife, Clarisse, who had read through all of our website and felt that God had given them a new burden to reach children in C.A.R. Pastor Honoré has founded and pastored churches for several years in the capital city of Bangui, and in January 2009 started a new interdenominational non-profit ministry called CEERCA - Centre Evangélique Eben-Ezer/RCA. The goals of this new ministry are to work with all the various evangelical groups in the areas of evangelism, church-planting, and training - and in addition now, to train and establish new ministries aimed at children and youth.

certificates fro children's ministry trainingChildren's ministry seminars

After receiving our printed materials and discussing details of how best to plan an effective training seminar with follow-up to develop successful children's ministries, an intensive two-week seminar was held in Bangui in April 2010. It was attended by 51 participants from 10 different denominations, and finally certificates were presented to 42 who completed the whole course and passed the exam. Later in the year Pastor Honoré taught a number of very successful seminars on either training for leadership or children's ministry both in Bangui and in more rural areas of the country. He reports that he has made follow-up visits and has been amazed at the remarkable progress and growth of about a dozen new children's ministry programs that have been started in churches, schools and home groups. Further meetings and seminars are planned and efforts are especially being made to reach out to other areas of the country where children's ministry is virtually unheard of.

initial outreachNew site for CEERCA ministry base and orphanage

In June 2011 Pastor Honoré and his family visited a village on the outskirts of the capital where they felt a special call to focus on developing the ministry. It is a rural area with very poor people, little water and even less hope. They held evangelistic meetings and provided a special meal so they could get to know the people. This photo shows some of the children enjoying the meal. Before they left, a local man approached them about buying a plot of land - from this a new vision quickly developed. It is to build a ministry base and home, and eventually to build an orphanage, making use of the land to help grow vegetables for food.

first church serviceSince then Pastor Honoré, with his wife Clarisse and their family, have made countless trips (often walking) to the property to clear the land; make bricks laboriously by hand; plant and harvest corn and a variety of vegetables and fruit; and (not least of all) hold weekly bible studies with the local children. In July 2012 they held their first church meeting there - outdoors of course, since there is as yet no "indoors"! The property has been legally surveyed and is now officially theirs, and they are hoping to soon begin to lay the foundation for the first building, for which they already have made 10,000 bricks but still need lumber and tin for roofing. They are praying in particular for a well to be drilled since it is several kilometers to a good water source.

Christmas celebrationAt Christmas 2012 a very special celebration and meal were held at the church site, with distribution of clothes and treats for the children. The Christmas Story was shared along with singing and games, and the event was greatly enjoyed by all, including specially invited chiefs from local villages. In the New Year, Pastor Honoré and his family were able to move into a rent house only half a kilometer from the site and so will now be better able to cultivate their garden there; begin construction of buildings; and also become part of the community. Sadly the coup in March 2013 resulted in much panic, brutality and death. But thankfully the ministry property proved a blessing to Pastor Honoré's family and many neighbors, providing fruits and vegetables as food during that desperate time. Also, methods of water purification and other helpful resources that Pastor Honoré was beginning to put to use on the property were shared and proved helpful to surrounding families during the chaos. In late 2013 arrangements were made to drill a deep water well to serve the church and local community, but before it could be accomplished fighting and chaos broke out once more

Honoré ministering in the refugee campProblems and delays due to instability and violence in C.A.R.

Sadly, the violence and horrors continued around the country during 2013, with mainly radical Muslim rebels attacking Christian communities. In early 2014, groups of anti-rebels fought back and weeks of terror resulted in hundreds of deaths and the destruction of countless homes, churches and businesses. Literally millions of people fled or lost their homes; families were torn apart, and children made orphans; and over 100,000 fled to the area around Bangui airport where they continue to live in desperation in a makeshift refugee camp. Many problems need to be resolved in the country, and above all, there is great need of peace, forgiveness and healing. Pastor Honoré recently ministered to many in the refugee camp, while also distributing clothes for children (kindly provided by the organization called Little Dresses for Africa) and he continues to plan teaching seminars and to develop the church on the ministry property as he is able.

Pastor Honore outside a Pygmy home More outreach and new plans to move ahead in 2015

Throughout 2014 the situation was unstable with outbursts of violence preventing travel and causing food shortages. Crime was common and Pastor Honoré reported the theft of the electric cable and most of the bricks from the ministry site, preventing construction. His family also experienced several severe attacks of ill health, but he remained determined to do his best to continue the spread of the Gospel among the people of that war-torn land and held several large events promoting forgiveness and peace. He even made two visits to a remote area where Pygmy tribes still live in the forest (see photo) and was able to present the Gospel to them and even plant a new church. As the New Year starts, Pastor Honoré feels the focus should return to the ministry site where he hopes to assemble new materials and begin construction of a meeting room for the church there, while continuing his work among the local people.

Setting foundation stone

This photo shows the special ceremony in April 2015 when the foundation stone was set for the building on the CEERCA ministry site. Apart from the weekly outdoor Sunday service (now attended by some 90 regular local people) other meetings are also now held weekly, including a Saturday club for children (always attended by dozens of excited kids!), a women's meeting, and bible studies. Many are willing to help with the work of clearing the site and the actual construction of the first building - to be used as a meeting room, base for the ministry, and home for a local guard to watch over the property. However we all pray for God to soon provide the FINANCES to buy the necessary construction materials. Please contact us if you would like to help.

You can read regular monthly updates on our Latest News page and see photos of the progress of this exciting vision here: photo album

Ask us if you would like to contact CEERCA and Pastor Honoré or send an e-mail