Whether we live in Eastern Congo or in Durham, North Carolina it is easy to feel overwhelmed with fear and despair about the divisions in our society. How do we cultivate a vision that bears hope, courage, and sacrifice? How can we be a community rooted in the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ so that we are “being transformed in order to transform”?
Please join us on April 22 at Blacknall for a panel discussion with our featured guest, Dr. David Kasali as well as panelists Kyle Beardsley, Professor of Political Science at Duke University, and Julio Ramirez-Eve, pastor at Iglesia Emanuel (a Blacknall partner church). This event starts at 7 p.m. and it is free and open to the public and will be livestreamed from Blacknall’s YouTube channel. Childcare is available.
Panelists
David Kasali, PhD
Dr. David Kasali at the The Bilingual Christian University of Congo where he has served as both rector and president
Both David and his wife, Kaswera, were born and raised in Christian families in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Together, they have three boys, Baraka, Chris and Steve. David’s father received the Lord when the first missionary from the USA arrived in the East of Congo in the early 1900s. He learned to read and write, accepted the Lord, and served as pastor for over 60 years until he was promoted to glory in 1996.
David earned a Master’s degree in geography and education in Congo in 1980, then served as assistant manager in a private company for two years before the Lord called him to full time Christian ministry. In 1982, David left his job and served for two years as a teacher and chaplain in a high school. David and his family joined Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST) in 1984, where he graduated in 1987 with a Master in Divinity. After NEGST, David served as Coordinator of the department on Ethics, Society and Development of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA). During that time, he traveled extensively in the continent of Africa holding seminars with African pastors and theological educators to deal with issues that churches and societies face in Africa. In September 1989, David and his family joined Trinity International University (TIU) in Chicago, Illinois, where he graduated with a PhD in New Testament.
Kassie trained as a nurse in Congo. While in Nairobi, Kenya, she got her diploma in Christian Ministries and Bachelor’s degree in Bible and Theology and received her Master of Religious Studies at Trinity in 1993.
David and Kaswera “Kassie” Kasali, Co-founder of the Congo Initiative, a Blacknall Deep Common Journey Partner
Upon their return to Africa, David served for two years as a faculty member and eight years as President of Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST), equipping pastors and Bible teachers for churches in Africa. During that time, Kassie served as a faculty member teaching in the Christian Ministries program. She enrolled in the PhD in Educational Studies at Trinity International University in 1998 and graduated in 2006.
While serving at NEGST, the Kasalis were torn by the war situation in their country, DRC, and felt called by the Lord to help rebuild lives, families and communities through holistic ministries with churches from various denominations. Together, they created Congo Initiative, which has both a Congolese and US board. Soon after leavingNEGST, the Kasalis moved to the States for three years of preparation and relationship-building in an effort to lay a solid foundation for the establishment of Congo Initiative as a non-profit organization.
The Kasalis used these years in the States to build partnerships with churches, institutions, and individuals who would come together to support the growing vision and goals of Congo Initiative. While in the States, the Kasalis were based in Brookfield, Wisconsin, where David served as part-time pastor at Elmbrook Church, one of Congo Initiative’s most significant church partners. David and Kassie also took short-term mission trips with US Christians to various ministries in Congo. Additionally, David served as an adjunct faculty member at Phoenix Seminary, in Phoenix, Arizona.
After three years of service and preparation in the States, the Kasalis relocated permanently to DRC in 2007 to formally inaugurate Congo Initiative’s Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC – The Bilingual Christian University of Congo), which now has over 650 alumni! In 2019, Dr. David Kasali transitioned from his role as Rector to give his full attention and energy as President of CI. The Kasalis now make their home in Beni, North Kivu Province, DRC.
Dr. Kyle Beardsley
Kyle Beardsley is Professor of Political Science at Duke University. He is co-director of the International Crisis Behavior data project and the Deputy Director of the Triangle Institute of Security Studies (TISS). His research focuses on international conflict and peace processes. He is on the Board of Directors for the Center for Christianity and Scholarship. He and his family are members of University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill.
Rev. Julio Ramirez-Eve
Julio Ramirez-Eve is the pastor of Iglesia Emanuel Presbiteriana in Durham. Julio is a native of the Dominican Republic and a graduate of McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. He served in a church in New York City before coming to Iglesia Emanuel. Incorporated in 2016, Iglesia Emanuel is a Durham church plant of the New Hope Presbytery (Blacknall belongs to the same presbytery). The church’s outreach to the community includes a food bank that feeds over 500 families per week.
April 22-24, 2022 | Blacknall Welcomes David & Kassie Kasali
Blackall is excited to host David and Kasawera “Kassie” Kasali of the Congo Initiative for a series of gatherings and church-wide events on the weekend of April 22-24, including the panel conversation.
The Kasalis’ visit intentionally coincides with the church’s Block Party on Sunday, April 24. David Kasali will preach that Sunday morning and we expect that his message of hope and resilience will help us, as a congregation, to enter into this next season of our life together with joy and faithful endurance as we manage the ongoing uncertainty around COVID and the other significant challenges that confront our community and our world.
The Kasalis are the founders and members of a leadership community that directs the Congo Initiative (CI)--one of Blacknall’s Deep Common Journey Partners. Dr. David Kasali also currently serves as the president of the Christian Bilingual University of Congo (UCBC), the flagship program of the Congo Initiative. UCBC aims to develop and equip future leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo who can meet the vast challenges that afflict the nation, especially it’s eastern region, including violent civil unrest, poverty, political corruption, and a recent Ebola virus outbreak. Since its establishment in 2007, the UCBC has witnessed “alumni who identify, own, and respond to Congo’s challenges with skill, dedication, excellence, creativity, and Christian hope. In short, through UCBC the future leaders of Congo are being transformed to transform.”