Political Dissident Leads Revival behind Bars

. 1 min read
Vano Kalembe Kiboko, a United Methodist evangelist, prays in prison in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has been helping to lead hundreds of people to Christ while in prison himself. Photo courtesy of Rev. Kiboko I. Kiboko
By Heather Hahn
Sept. 23, 2015 (UMNS)

Just as Paul and Silas witnessed to Christ while in prison, the 56-year-old Vano Kiboko is likewise testifying to Christ’s liberating grace. Each week, he preaches and his family brings massive amounts of food for a communal Agape feast.
In eight months, more than 700 have made a profession of faith at these services, and he has baptized more than 300.
South Congo Area Bishop Kainda Katembo appointed him a lay evangelist in July 2014 with the authority to baptize. “He said at the time, ‘I have five pastors in my church. Why would I need to baptize?’” his brother recalled. “He did not know God had a plan.”
Now, the Rev. Kiboko said, his brother has baptized more people in prison “than I have in my 25 years in ministry.”