RALEIGH — A seed of faith planted by American missionaries in Africa generations ago is bearing fruit in the Triangle today.

Many Christian converts from African nations have come to take advantage of education and job opportunities in this area. They bring their faith and their music with them.

"We are the fruits of many investments from missionaries and people that came overseas," says musician Paul Tsasa.

Tsasa was born and raised in the Congo. For the past 10 years, he has built a new life in America as an electrician in Raleigh -- an electrician by trade, a minister by faith.

Tsasa shares his ministry with brothers Joseph and David and wife Ruth. They call themselves Sango Malamu, which means "good news" in French.

The band's music is in French, their native language, but the music is not just for French ears. The churches represented here hope to attract Americans to their Sunday services.

They also hope to rekindle a fire of faith that they have seen dwindling. "When we came to America, we were surprised by how much America has lost Christianity," says Pastor Richard Paku of the Evangelical and International Church.

Paku wants to help lead the religion's rebirth. "We thank America for bringing us the seed," he says. "But I think the time has come for us to bring revival to America."

The band has recorded a CD that is now making the rounds in Europe and in their home nation of Congo.