Update From the Diocese of Kindu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Bishop Masimango and Naomie

The Most Rev. Masimango Katanda, one of the AMiA’s global partners, serves as Bishop of the Diocese of Kindu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s a place where, as he shares, “democracy is still quite fragile,” and people are deeply impacted by poverty, falling education levels and the presence of rebel groups. Yet, amid these challenges, ++ Masimango is seeing God work. The article below is adapted from one of his recent ministry updates.

State of the Church

At the last national Anglican Synod, it was resolved that each diocese should aim to grow by 1,000 new members each year. Help was received from Relay Trust with funds to develop a new catechism and to train people to teach it.

In Maniema we are concentrating on evangelism and church planting in the town of Kibombo. We have held several evangelism campaigns, but it is hard to grow a presence there without land for even a temporary church structure. Land costs approximately $15,000. We are also planting churches just south of Kindu and have two new parishes trying to establish congregations and buildings.

After the creation of the new Diocese of Kalima, we have a smaller, more manageable diocese. Our new strategic plan is concentrating on growing churches and helping Christians to grow spiritually. Our largest church building is full and overflowing, and we desperately need to build a diocesan cathedral.

Women’s training program

Training for Women

Several groups of women in the diocese have been trained in financial management under CMSAfrica’s Women Empowerment Programme (WeP). This has been very successful, with one group already forming their own cooperative. The groups are coordinated by Mothers Union.

New Coordinator

Rev. Therese Mamba Dembo has completed a degree in Theology at Africa International University in Nairobi Kenya thanks to a scholarship from CMS Australia. She has been appointed as the new coordinator for ministry to children and young women.

Berea Bible School

It has been 20 years since Berea Bible School started. This year there are 18 students, of whom 10 are in first year and eight are in second year. All come with families.

Over the years the teachers have changed as some have retired and some have died. However, the syllabus remains basically the same.

In May, a review of the syllabus was carried out with the teachers, the Archdeacons and some student representatives. Apart from suggestions to update it and add a few topics, all overwhelmingly reported that they can see the benefit of the teaching and the teaching method and wanted to maintain the program.

Berea does not teach classic Bible school subjects, but all the traditional content is covered through subjects that focus on ministry outcomes and provide a context for the teaching material. A number of students and former students commented on how they have been helped by subjects such as “Caring for Your Spiritual Life,” “How to Preach” and “How to Understand the Bible.”

By far the majority of those now being ordained have studied at Berea Bible school, and it is clear that Berea has had a positive impact on the diocese.

Diocesan Schools

There are now 139 Anglican schools in Kindu Diocese. Of these, 71 are primary schools and 68 secondary schools. We are grateful to Open Well (Oxford) and to Anglican Aid (Sydney) for the assistance we have received to rehabilitate four schools and to build five new schools. In July we will be holding a conference in Kindu for all the teachers of the Anglican schools in the diocese. The aim of the conference will be to build relationships between schools and church and to build the capacity of teachers to teach their usual subjects as well as to teach religion. We would love each student to know the gospel.

Pastors studying the Bible together in Mabikwa

Pastors’ Conferences

In May we held two seminars for pastors in two different parts of the diocese. The theme of both was “Ministry and Leadership.”

The first was held in Kindu, and pastors came from the Archdeaconaries of Kindu and Elila. Students from Berea Bible School also joined in, and there were a total of about 70 participants.

The second conference was held in Mabikwa, about 65 km from Kindu, and pastors came from the five archdeaconaries of Mabikwa, Kampene, Kayuyu, Bukama and Kihembwe. Recent conflict between people groups in one part of the diocese made it impossible for the Archdeacon and pastors of Kasongo Archdeaconary to travel safely.

The Bible studies and Bible talks were from Paul’s first letter to Timothy. Pastors were encouraged by the teaching and fellowship and were challenged to persevere in ministry, to safeguard what is taught and to reject wrong teaching.

Please pray for:

• Evangelism and church planting in Kibombo and Kindu.
• An end to the Ebola outbreak in northeast Democratic Republic of Congo
• Pastors who attended recent clergy conferences, that they will use what was taught.
• Berea Bible School students who are beginning a new school year.
• Bishop Masimango as he leads the diocese: for good health, safety when travelling and wisdom to use the resources they have.