A jubilant mass of Mouk people holding missionary Mark Zook aloft is an image that has delighted many who have viewed an EE-Taow video produced 20 years ago to show how God’s Word changed the hearts of a people.

Those exuberant moments were the beginning of a church that has now evolved into 23 churches throughout the tribe and into neighboring tribes. Bilingual Mouk believers have taught God’s Word and planted churches beyond their own borders in the Aria, Ivanga, Edi and Lusi tribes.

The foundation for all of this has been the way the Mouk people received the Word of God. During the initial evangelism 23 years ago, Scripture was established as the ultimate source of authority. Village leaders openly confessed this and accepted the Bible as the new standard of authority within the tribe.

These leaders have also recognized their responsibility to ensure that the new generation is taught the Word of God and discipled in their walk with Him. They follow the pattern of teaching and discipleship that brought them to salvation.

The Gospel "has made major changes in their thinking and lives and given them purpose for living," says Mark Zook.

The first church elders were ordained in 1996 and since then the Mouk elders have trained and equipped many others for leadership. Those being groomed today are a new generation of young leaders -- young men who have grown up in the church and do not have memories of a time without the Gospel’s influence.

Each village church now has its own leaders and the network of churches works together to strengthen each other and assist each other when important issues arise.

Problems and difficulties are encountered on occasion but Mark Zook says "it is encouraging to know that situations and problems are resolved in light of their understanding of what the Bible says."

All 1,800 copies of the first printing of the Mouk New Testament have been heavily used by the people and a second printing of 3,000 copies was flown into the tribe in 2006.

Mouk people have learned to read God’s Word at one of seven literacy schools that have been established throughout the Mouk territory. These schools are staffed by Mouk workers who could not read or write before missionaries taught them.

And just as God’s Word was shared with them, the Mouk people have not kept God’s Word to themselves. They want their neighbors to hear it and read it.

When one elder -- Patrik -- moved into a Lusi village and started teaching evangelistic Bible lessons he realized that he was capable of teaching but needed assistance with some technical aspects of the work.

After about two years of working alone Patrik asked for co-workers to help him establish a literacy program and to assist with Bible translation. Mark and Gloria Zook’s son, Rick, and his wife, Anjanette, answered the call in 2005.

Since then, the Mouk churches have set apart two more elders and their families to join this work. The missionary team has now developed materials, and a trial literacy program is in progress for the Lusi people. Bible translation is scheduled to begin in the near future.

Last year, the Mouk church designated four church leaders to begin an outreach to the Kombe people. The work has not been easy, but through perseverance and the Lord’s blessing, the Mouks are now teaching a small group of Kombe believers.

The story that began more than 20 years ago continues to add chapters.