Wilondja Msiando (Senior Pastor) is a native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, former Zaire, of Central Africa. He is married to his beautiful wife Ana Bisoka Msiando and they have been blessed with God’s gift of seven children: one girl and six boys.
In practical terms, what brought the Msiando family to Iowa was the war beginning in East Congo in 1996. The war was the natural impetus for their journey, from the Congo, to a Mozambique refugee camp, then to Des Moines, Iowa. But Wilondja and Ana believe strongly that God is the One who brought them to this country for such a time as this, for His own purposes.
Prior to entering the U.S.A, Wilondja and his family spent five years in a refugee camp in Mozambique where he was very active with three other pastors working together in projects for construction of churches there. God worked through these men to plant 29 churches successfully. They are still active today.
Wilondja attended The “E.B.E.N,” (École Biblique et Évangelique de Nundu) of D.R. Congo in 1998 and the Trans-Africa Bible College in Maputo, Mozambique in 2001-2002. He was then ordained a Minister by the Truth Ministries of Durban, South Africa. Math and Physics are fields of interest for Pastor Wilondja. He worked as a high school math teacher for 11 years in Africa, as well as doing the Lord’s work as a church planter. The Msiando family was relocated to Iowa in September 2005 by the U.N. and attended The Johnston Evangelical Free Church beginning in February 2006. His association with the Evangelical Free Church of America began at this time.
Pastor Wilondja also became a Certified Nursing Assistant in 2006. He was employed as a CNA for three years. In June 2011 he obtained a diploma in Practical Nursing (LPN). He works in that field as well as doing full time ministry to those God brings into his life. Pastor Wilondja tries tirelessly to pastor faithfully and be a role model and assistant for many newer refugees now living in Iowa and in other places in the U.S.A. Wilondja’s love for God, for his own family and for the Church has lead him to serve many faithfully since his arrival here in the States.