Every once in a while, you cross paths with someone who truly stands out—someone who pairs exceptional character with a deep curiosity, vibrant faith, and remarkable talent. For me, that person is Wilita Sanguma.
Above all else, the trait I admire most in Wilita is his genuine, God-given humility. There is something about a humble heart that beautifully draws people closer to Jesus, and Wilita treats everyone he meets exactly how I imagine Jesus did when He walked the earth. Wilita’s journey is incredible; God deeply shaped him through his early years in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where he escaped violence in his home village before eventually immigrating to the United States. To learn more about Wilita’s journey CLICK HERE.
If you are as inspired by his journey as I am, I’d love to connect with you. If you want to hear more of his story or are interested in having him speak at an event, please drop us a line at admin@infocusnet.org.
Moving the Mission Forward: Disciple-Making & Coaching in Congo
About two years ago, Wilita and I began dreaming about what it would look like to train leaders in Congo in Christian coaching. (You can read more about those early conversations HERE.) He leads an organization called Lobiko that partners with committed individuals who drive efforts to transform the lives of vulnerable children, youth, and adults living in extreme poverty. Since then, God has been moving.
From the in-person workshop in Kinshasa, DCR – July 2025
Left to right: David, Joel, Lischa, Wilita, and Gary
This past March, Wilita and his colleague in DRC, Lischa, hosted an introductory workshop to introduce leaders in Gemena to the power of Christian coaching. Because coaching is a relatively new concept in that part of the world, this was a brand-new experience for them—and the response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic! The leaders left with a deep eagerness to learn more.
From that initial group, they have selected about 20 participants to dive deeper into a second workshop scheduled for this fall. As we prepare, our team is actively discussing how to integrate a simple, natural disciple-making approach directly into the coach training process.
Why Pair Disciple-Making with Coaching?
It’s a question I hear often: Why blend disciple-making into coach training?
To put it simply, they go hand in hand. When you look at how Jesus lived and interacted with the world, He always respected the individual. He gave people the dignity of choice, never imposing His will or forcing his way upon those He invited into a life of apprenticeship. Instead, He guided them toward self-discovery.
Three vital dynamics drive this journey of self-discovery:
- The Prompting of the Holy Spirit: When the Holy Spirit highlights a new idea, behavior, or action in someone’s heart, it becomes almost impossible to ignore. Learning to listen to that voice is the heartbeat of both disciple making and Christian coaching. You can think of coaching as the relational side of the equation and disciple-making as the strategic side—with the Holy Spirit serving as the perfect bridge between them.
- Trustworthy Relationships: While the Holy Spirit often reveals Himself directly through dreams, visions, or miracles, walking out that faith requires community. Having a trustworthy relationship with another believer or a small group helps a new disciple process what they are experiencing and take healthy steps forward. Information is valuable, but relationships coupled with inspiration from the Holy Spirit and Scripture accelerates true spiritual growth.
- Active Listening and Meaningful Questions: While disciples can grow entirely on their own, that tends to be the exception rather than the rule. Whether you use the formal word “coaching” or not, having a conversational framework centered on active listening and asking thoughtful questions is a game-changer. It helps new disciples discern the Spirit’s voice, identify practical steps of obedience, and ultimately fosters a culture of reproduction and multiplication.
A Heavy Reality on the Ground in Congo
As we celebrate these steps forward, our hearts are also heavy for the people of Congo. The country is currently facing an outbreak of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus. This particular strain has a historic mortality rate between 30% and 50%, and because there is no existing vaccine for it, containment relies entirely on traditional, difficult public health measures like strict isolation and intense contact tracing.
While the rest of the world watches from a distance, our brothers and sisters in Congo—who already navigate the challenges of severe poverty—are facing a very real, frightening enemy.
How You Can Stand With Us
- Meet Wilita: Listen to Wilita’s story and see if the Lord might be prompting you to invite him to speak at an event in the future CLICK HERE.
- Pray Continuously: Please lift up Wilita, Lischa, and the entire Lobiko team as they navigate leadership and ministry during this challenging season.
- Connect and Support: Reach out to us at admin@infocusnet.org to discover how you can support this important work in Congo or connect directly with Wilita.
