Meet the Lead Actors

Pelendo
The lead role of Pelendo was played by Dr. Nupanga Weanzana, 47, Dean of Bangui Evangelical School of Theology (B.E.S.T.), in Bangui, Central African Republic.

After finishing high school, he took two years of law at the University of Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) followed by five years at B.E.S.T. for a Masters in Theology. Then he studied four years at the University of Pretoria (South Africa) for a Ph.D in Old Testament Studies.

Dr. Weanzana and his wife, Angele, have five children: four sons (Fiston, 21; Philemon, 17; Eli,14; and Nataniel, 12); as well as a daughter (Chretienne 20).

Dr. Weanzana is much appreciated in his positon at B.E.S.T. which is a school preparing workers for the church in French–speaking Africa

As a personal testimony, Dr. Weanzana writes:

“It was for me a great privilege to be a part of the Pelendo film, and especially to play the central role of Pelendo. For me this was in God's plan long ago. My village is close to Pelendo's village.

“For eight years I worked with Pelendo's sons in their business. During this time it was for me kind of preparation. Pelendo's life became for me an inspiration for my own ministry. It was Pelendo's son who was the first one to suggest to me to go to theological school. I think my physical stature always reminded them of their defunct father.

“Even my meeting with Rev. Adkins was part of God's plan. I was not the first one who had been selected to play the Pelendo role in the film. One evening I was sitting at the gate of the seminary and met Rev. Adkins and Thelma (Landrud) coming for the evening service. Instantly, Rev Adkins asked for a meeting with me. He offered me the role in the film which I accepted. The Dean of the Seminary also without hesitation gave me permission to leave for a month for the filming.

“I think the Pelendo film will help us as servants of the Lord to:

—realize God's grace. God took Pelendo from nothing to make him a powerful pastor.
—remember that God is always behind those He is sending;
—remain faithful to God;
—place evangelism at the center of our ministry.

“To Him, be Glory and Honour.”

—Dr. Nupanga Weanzana

Kondoma
Agneau Kpasawi played the lead part as Kondoma, wife of Pelendo, in this film. Agneau (pronounced: Ahn-yo) Germaine Nyasende was born April 29 1974 at Libenge, where her father had a government job in the customs department. He died when she was about 8, so the family (mother and 7 children) moved back to Tandala to live with Agneau's grandmother, who is a seamstress at Tandala Hospital. Her mother died about 10 years ago.

Agneau (her name means "lamb" in French) attended school up to 10th grade at Tandala. As a child, she attended Sunday School and youth meetings, with Rachel Martin and Joyce Falconer being influential in her life. She prayed along with Pastor Geana to receive Jesus as her Savior.

Agneau and Kpasawi were married May 10, 1992, after about a year of being engaged. Both were raised at Tandala. (Kpasawi's dad is a nurse at Tandala Hospital.) He had received his high school certificate and was teaching at a Tandala High School when they were married.

From 1993-96, they lived at Goyongo, as Kpasawi went to Theological School. He pastored for a year at Botela Mbari, and then from 1997-1999 he attended school at the Bangui Evangelical School of Theology. Agneau attended classes organized for the wives of B.E.S.T. students. Then, Kpasawi pastored at Salongo for 3 years and at Cercle for 4 months, before being sent by the CECU (Church) to Tandala to direct the Bible Institute.

They have 6 children (ages 12,10,8,6,4,2). Three of these are girls.

After seeing the film, Agneau commented as follows:

Next: Beginning Phase Three