Interview with Blaise Feumba of Abidjan, Ivory Coast

IcocHotNews…When were you Baptized? How long have you led the church in Abidjan?
Blaise… I was baptized in 1990 in Lagos, Nigeria. I was a passionate young man, and I left my family and homeland (Cameroon) after I graduated from college thirsty for adventure and the American dream. I was met by disciples on the U of Lagos Campus and my life was transformed forever. A few months following my conversion I moved to Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, where I grew and matured as a Christian. All I wanted to do since then was serve God. I have been in the ministry since then and I started leading the Abidjan Church as well as the French West Africa ministry in 2000.
IcocHotNews… Are your parents disciples?
Blaise… The Lord has blessed my family as both my parents and one of my siblings have become disciples.
IcocHotNews… How is the Ivory Coast these days? Still at war?
Blaise… The Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) has known a very critical social political situation since the 1990’s. After a political coup in 1999, a civil war broke out 2002. The country was split in two for several years. Since then things have been unstable and shaky: thousands of people are homeless; there are entire zones where the educational system is broken down. The HIV prevalence rate has increased. Living conditions for the majority of Ivorians are the worst we have known since Independence, and the economy has been severely damaged. This year has seen a positive evolution of the situation. The different political parties seem to have come to an agreement and the idea of a country at peace is back. We are grateful to God and we expect a steady improvement of the social political situation in our country in 2008.
IcocHotNews… How big is the church? How many singles married teens disciples?
Blaise… The church in Abidjan has grown incredibly in the past years and has remained stable despite many challenges. Today the church counts about 2238 members, with 860 singles 660 marrieds 185 teens and 533 students.
IcocHotNews… Tell us all about the campus ministry.
Blaise… The campus ministry is composed of the main campus and a smaller campus ministry in each of the 13 sectors of the church: as I said, the church counts 533 students. The christian students are very committed to evangelism and discipleship. All year long the program is full of activities to give these passionate young people an opportunity to be active and work for the Lord. They are definitely using all their talents for service for the church. My wife and I are fully involved in this ministry, encouraging the disciples to be focused and joyful, giving and maintaining spiritual dreams.
IcocHotNews… What kind of activities do you have?
Blaise… Giant bible-talks, street preaching, blitzing on campuses, prayer nights, parties, etc. Many of the former students are now solid and mature disciples with great jobs and are able to support the church in a great way; some of them are even in the full time staff ministry leading sectors in the church.
IcocHotNews… How many Muslims live in the Ivory Coast? How are Christians treated? Do you convert many Muslims?
Blaise… Côte d'Ivoire is a secular country. The population is somewhat religious and the Muslim religion is spreading in the country. Some Muslims have been converted, but it is not usually easy as the families have such a hold on their members.
IcocHotNews… Tell us about new church plantings coming up...
Blaise… During the past 2 years, the church has sent a number of new church plantings as well as restoring weakening churches. These churches are doing well.
IcocHotNews… What are your goals for the next few years?
Blaise… In the next few years we plan to continue to grow and strengthen the church in Abidjan as well as the whole French West Africa ministry. We will continue to focus on campus ministries in all the churches, start new church plantings, establish Elders in the more mature churches, etc.
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