Central African Republic

Missionary work was begun by the joint missionary team in 1975, and was very difficult in the early days. In 1980, a government official who was living near the church received a very deep impression observing members' lifestyle. He thought that the young people of the Central African Republic would be helped by such a life and develop.

There was a meeting between World Missions Director Chung-hwan Kwak and H.E. David Dako, then president of the country. FARMAP was organized with the aim of recovering morality and training people for jobs. Even when General Andr Kolingba took over as president, he invited Reverend Kwak to visit. The program began in early 1982. Our church educated seven thousand talented people within ten years. The government let the church freely use some land 60km from Bangui, the nation's capital.

Under the supervision of Reverend Kwak, an educational course for African children began. The church was hoping to implement technical education in other areas such as agriculture, fish farming and furniture manufacturing. However, due to strong pressure from presidents of neighboring countries, and especially from the French government and the North Korean embassy, the government washed its hands of the church without any explanation. The church tried in vain to convince the government. With the closing of FARMAP plan, missionaries could no longer stay in the country. In October, 1988, Jean-Claude and Hanna Lotterie were appointed as new national leaders.

*** The Unification Church buliding in the Central African Republic