Hope For Stability For Unstable African Nation
Edouard Yao is the Ministry Leader to the national legislators in the war-torn and turbulent nation Cote d’ Ivoire, or the Ivory Coast in Western Africa. Here is what Edouard says about taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the leaders of his nation.
“I see Capitol Ministry as a solution to the instability that hinders the development of my country.
“My country is made of more than 60 different tribes and we have not yet moved from tribal or regional values to national values. Because we have not yet developed as a united nation, we have political instability. Our elected officials and public servants don’t pursue leadership positions for the development of the nation, but for selfish purposes. Once they get into power they drive the state resources to their tribes, regions, friends, and political militants, etc.
“Each political leader, during political transitions, struggles to control the state power for his tribes or regions and this has led to more than 15 years of political strife, instability, and war; the last was the 2010-2011 post-electoral war with a 3,000 death toll.
“It is vital that we develop a generation of political leaders who have a national agenda, ones who understand and fulfill their God-given mission to use state power and institutions for the well-being of the nation, for all the citizens. This is the transformational challenge we must take up through God by joining with Capitol Ministries to take the Word of God to leaders in the political and public service realm.
“As Ministry Leader to the political leaders of Cote d’ Ivoire, I will begin by creating a strong foundation. I will meet with a group of trusted, like-minded fellow Christians to pray. Then I will work with and train church leaders because at this time they are not different from politicians; they view politicians as God. We must have a paradigm shift within the church to prepare church leaders to understand their God-given mission to pray for and support political leaders.
“We will then form a national ministry leadership team which will develop a ministry plan. After that we will go into the Parliament and other state institutions with a discipleship Bible study ministry so, by hearing God’s Word, the hearts of our leaders will turn to Him and be transformed so that they can make decisions that will ensure national development and the joy of the citizens.
“Proverbs 21:1 says, The King’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever he wishes. And so, we can pray for the Word of God to do His work in the hearts of leaders and change them into the image of Christ so all the people of my country may benefit.”
Edouard Yao
Ministry Leader
Cote d’ Ivoire