(A Story from the past.)

When I saw this photo of the REBEL SOLDIER an interesting story about Pastor Joseph and the rebels came to mind.  This story happened just after the rebel takeover in 2002 in the western region of Ivory Coast where LaNelle and I used to live.  The photo is more recent but it was taken in that same area.

In 2002 the area where we ministered was taken over by rebel soldiers and controlled by them.  Instead of moving to a safe zone, like most pastors, Joseph chose to live among the rebels because he wanted to live among his tribe, the Yacouba people, in order to lead them to the Lord and help them in this time of trouble.

Pst. Joseph is the National Director of La Mission Baptiste Source Du Rocher (Water From The Rock Baptist Missions), in Ivory Coast, West Africa.  After graduating from Bible Seminary in Abidjan, he began his ministry in the remote village of Diourouzon among the Guer people.  During this time he served as pastor of the new mission church and trained local nationals in the ministry. Many souls were reached in Diourouzon.  The church grew and evangelized other villages in that area.  He served three years among the Guer in the Bangolo district.