Eyes closed, hands clasped, body swaying to the rhythm of the choir’s pleas – “God, don’t let us down!” » –, the cenacle of faithful is plunged into intense emotion. Here and there, a finger wipes away a tear. This Sunday, January 28, the Assembly of Missionaries of Jesus Christ celebrates its weekly worship in an apartment located in the basement of a building in Riad El-Oulfa, a popular neighborhood of Casablanca. “Amen!” », “Hallelujah! », “Praise God!” » : biblical acclamations burst forth, while four young choristers, dressed in a caftan decorated with the hand of Fatima, fervently perform hymns, with lots of swaying hips. Incandescent gospel atmosphere.
After the song of praise, Ferdinand Kouassi, the pastoral assistant, hand raised on his desk, addresses his flock dressed in their Sunday best: “We are all in Jesus’ boat. But when the wind blows, will you be able to keep the faith? When the storm breaks, will you remain faithful to your God? » Ivorians, Congolese, Gabonese, Togolese, Nigerians… all, among the fifty faithful, are originating from sub-Saharan Africa.
Pastor Silas, wearing a fuchsia jacket over a wine-colored shirt, observes out of the corner of his eye his disciple at the helm of worship. This Ivorian who worked as a cook in a restaurant in Casablanca founded this Church in 2020, after hearing in a ” dream “ there “voice of God” telling him : “The work begins here!” » The name of his ” artwork “the Assembly of the Missionaries of Jesus Christ, is displayed today in giant letters on the banner hung behind the altar, accompanied by a verse from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. »
Spectacular phenomenon
The Church of Pastor Silas, in Casablanca, is only one of the manifestations of a much broader phenomenon in Morocco, that of “house churches” (because they were born in private apartments) of neo-Pentecostal or charismatic obedience. , from African Protestantism. Their growth since the 2000s, fueled by migratory flows from sub-Saharan Africa, has revitalized Christianity in the Maghreb. While Europe strives to lock down its borders, the southern shore of the Mediterranean is home to migrant communities growing as their exodus towards the north is hampered. From transit corridors, these countries are unwittingly transformed into sedentary areas conducive to a revival of Christianity, since these stranded travelers are often Catholic or Protestant.
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