The Rev. Tom Deuschle of Celebration Ministries International in Zimbabwe is building a network of churches throughout the continent of Africa. His mandate is to bring a grassroots reformation and renaissance to the nation of Zimbabwe in the face of the nation’s many challenges.

The country’s national unemployment rate is set at 85 percent and the AIDS pandemic yields a national life expectancy of 36 years. And yet in the midst of these challenges there has emerged a great congregation of people carrying the message of hope and love.

“Our currency is faith, our lifestyle is cell groups and our mandate is action,” Deuschle said. “We use the method of teamwork within a culture of service and have a standard of excellence in everything we do. We believe that if we can build a person’s understanding that God has a purpose for their life, they will get a dream that will motivate them. By helping them build their dream we can transform their life. And if we can transform enough lives we can reform a nation.”

Deuschle and his wife Bonnie have been missionaries to Zimbabwe for 28 years. They started their missions experience when Zimbabwe was the nation of Rhodesia.

Bonnie Deuschle, an award-winning songwriter, musician, and recording artist, leads the congregation in Harare, Zimbabwe into an energetic and powerful worship experience in their weekly assemblies at the church. “There are two times to worship God,” she said. “When you feel like it and when you don’t.”

An international worship team under the direction of the Rev. Bonnie Deuschle will end a world tour in the state of Washington this month. The team will be ministering at Rainier Hills Christian Fellowship, 23711 Entwhistle Rd., between Bonney Lake and Buckley. at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday.

For more information contact the church at 253-862-2163.