Rev. Dr. Kevin Murriel gives thanks for a recent trip to Bangui, CAR, where he attended the dedication of the first United Methodist Church facility in the country. His church in Atlanta, Cascade United Methodist Church, dedicated more than $150,000 of its 2024 Lenten offering to the building of a new church sanctuary and office facility in Bangui (see earlier story). That facility was completed this year.

ATLANTA – I give thanks to God for the opportunity to journey to Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR). Words can hardly express the depth of the experience we shared with the people of this region, particularly during the dedication of the very first United Methodist church facility that now stands as a testimony to God’s faithfulness and the generosity of the Cascade congregation.

God is doing a marvelous work in the Central African Republic. Thousands are being discipled, and the United Methodist movement is growing in powerful and meaningful ways. I share just a few highlights from this life-changing trip as witness to the tangible impact of our collective ministry.

During the service of dedication for the new church, hundreds gathered in celebration. Sixty individuals were baptized into the faith, publicly declaring their love for Christ. The front of the church is adorned with a sign bearing the names of the donors from Cascade and our extended family of supporters – whose generosity made this possible.

The church dedication was a worship experience like no other. We sang, we danced, we received an overwhelming welcome parade, celebrated Holy Communion, preached the gospel, and fellowshipped with our new brothers and sisters in Christ for hours. It was an atmosphere of joy, gratitude and deep spiritual connection.

I had the distinct honor of training nearly 50 pastoral leaders from across the region. These women and men are at the forefront of ministry, leading more than 30 congregations – many of which gather under simple structures in remote districts. Yet, despite limited resources, their faith is strong, and their mission is clear: reach more souls for Jesus Christ in a nation still healing from the scars of war.

We were also able to spend time with the Global Ministries missionary, G. Seza, and the logistics team who serve tirelessly to make ministry possible on the ground in CAR. One of the most humbling and joyous surprises came when the District Superintendent, the Rev. Aquilas Soranaka, announced that the name of the new church would be “Bethel-Cascade United Methodist Church.” This name was chosen by their leaders in honor of Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda and the faithful members of Cascade UMC who generously gave to make this historic project possible.

Bethel-Cascade UMC stands as a beacon of hope and a tangible sign of God’s promise in the Central African Republic. It is already thriving and will serve as a spiritual home for generations to come.

Our work, however, is just beginning. We will remain in ongoing conversations with Global Ministries about how we can continue to support this region. A UMC health clinic is currently under construction, with plans to add a maternity ward to combat maternal mortality. The need is great, but so is our God.

And then, there were the children. So many beautiful, joyful children who captured our hearts and reminded us why this work matters. Their smiles were the very face of hope.

I thank Cascade for being a church that doesn’t just pray about the world – we show up and serve it. God is doing a great work through us, and I am excited about what lies ahead. The true impact cannot be captured in photos alone – it lives in the hearts of the people we encountered and in the seeds of hope we’ve planted together.

The Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Murriel is the senior pastor of Cascade United Methodist Church with campuses in southwest and midtown Atlanta, Georgia.