Democratic Republic of the Congo
Find mission workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
News
UN says increasing ethnic violence in DRC has led to serious humanitarian crisis
"Saying yes to God," in Sept 2012 issue of Mission Crossroads
A partner profile of Dr. Mulumba, General Secretary of the Congolese Presbyterian Church
Pastors Ministering in the Midst of Poverty—by Kristi Rice on the Dallas II: Better Together blog
Congolese churches issue a "cry of distress" over war
The Church of Christ of Congo wants to start peace negotiations while calling for an urgent delivery of relief aid
8/7/12
"Communities of Mission Practice in Congo," by Jeff Boyd
Read the article in the Spring 2012 issue of Mission Crossroads
Church in Congo, destroyed by tornado, rebuilds, quadruples
Background
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) celebrates more than a century of ministry in the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly Zaire. Our engagement in the Congo involves ministry through mission personnel and our partner church relationships. The PC(USA) joins its partners in Congo in a holistic approach to ministry that includes education and leadership development, health ministries, community development, evangelism and new church development.
An exciting history of Presbyterian witness for basic human rights began with William Sheppard, Presbyterian missionary to Congo, in the 1890s. The church continues to grow and provide a vibrant ministry. Plagued by years of unrest and poor leadership, the Congolese people are patiently working toward building a strong Congo.
Partner churches and organizations
The PC(USA) has three partner churches in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Read more
Presbyterian Community of Congo (CPC)
The Presbyterian Community of Congo (CPC) is the most historical and largest Presbyterian Church in the Congo with more than 1,250,000 members as of 1995. Rooted in the ministries of the American Presbyterian Congo Mission (APCM), it is concentrated in the provinces of West- and East-Kasai and also has parishes in Shaba. The church is organized in eight synods, with 53 presbyteries, entailing 692 parishes and 269 preaching points with 878 pastors and 61 evangelists. The CPC is firmly committed to the ecumenical movement and maintains a good relationships with the World Council of Churches, of which it has been a member since 1972.
Eglise du Christ au Congo (ECC)
Both the CPC and the CPK are members of the Protestant umbrella organization, the Church of Christ in the Congo (ECC), which is composed of the various Protestant churches called “Communities.” Its purpose is to manifest the unity of the body of Christ. Sixty-two communities belong to the ECC, representing about 8 million Christians in the Congo. Roughly speaking, the member communities represent the two broad streams of ecumenically and evangelically oriented churches.
Presbyterian Community of Kinshasa (CPK)
Since 1960 the Presbyterian Community of Kinshasa (CPK) has been an autonomous partner church of the PC(USA) in the metropolitan area of Kinshasa and the western provinces of Lower-Congo and Bandundu. In 1983 the CPK was divided into three presbyteries, which constituted the first synod. In 1995, the CPK had an estimated 40,000 communicant members, 10,000 active youth and 86 ordained pastors. Two pastors have finished doctorate studies, one of them a woman. The CPK meets regularly in its own General Assembly and in church-to-church consultations with the PC(USA). It receives mission personnel and maintains a Committee for Cooperation to plan, coordinate and evaluate the specific joint programs. This committee consists of three representatives of each church with the CPK president serving as moderator.
UPRECO, the Sheppards and Lapsley University of the Congo
UPRECO is the new name for what used to be FTRK (Reformed Theological Faculty of Kasai) — see the Congo Partner Backgrounds page.
Founded in 1987, UPRECO is a leading university in the central part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). UPRECO grants undergraduate degrees in Theology and Law. The mission of UPRECO is to educate leaders for the Congolese church and nation as pastors, educators and lawyers in a Christian environment.
Presbytery partnerships
Presbytery of Eastern Virginia
Whitewater Valley Presbytery
New Castle Presbytery
Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley
Congo Mission Network
- For more information contact Jeff Boyd, Debbie Braaksma or Stacy Gregory
• 2013 meeting: October 3-5, Northwood Presbyterian Church, San Antonio, Texas
The Congo Mission Network (CMN) is among more than 40 networks that connect Presbyterians who share a common mission interest. Most participants are involved in mission partnerships through congregations, presbyteries or synods. Network members come together to coordinate efforts, share best practices and develop strategies. The CMN facilitates relationships, education and awareness regarding the Congo.
Children and teachers in Congo’s 888 Presbyterian Schools Need Your Support! Due to the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the economy and the Congo government’s lack of support for education, the Congo’s Presbyterian schools are in critical need of durable buildings. From a 2012 Christmas letter: 82 percent of the 888 schools are made only of thatch and mud or of deteriorating brick and tin. They have few desks, books or school supplies. Primary classrooms sometimes hold over 100 students, while high school classrooms may have only 10 students because tuition is difficult to secure and dropout rates are high, especially for girls. Congo’s Presbyterian churches, in cooperation with U.S. churches and individuals, have established the Congo Education Excellence Project (CEEP) to restore their schools and empower their students. Their goals are to systematically repair or replace over 600 schools, and to provide all schools with latrines, desks, blackboards, books, scholarships, teacher training opportunities and motorcycles to reach remote schools. Considerable financial assistance is needed. Read more
Learn more about the Democratic Republic of Congo
Visit the BBC country profile.
