Difference between revisions of "Communauté des Eglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo"

Communauté des Eglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo
Location	Democratic Republic of Congo
Date established	1943
Presiding officer	Damien Pelende Tshinyama, Pres
Church members	95,208
Number of Congregations	582

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Communauté des Eglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo (CEFMC), or the Mennonite Brethren Churches in the Congo, is a Mennonite Brethren Church located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Communauté des Eglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo is strongly affiliated with the broader Mennonite Brethren Church, Mennonite World Conference, and Mennonite Central Committee. The last world directory conducted by Mennonite World Conference in 2006 estimated EFMC’s membership at 95,208 in 582 congregations. ^[1]

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History

Origins

Early Congolese mission attempt

An emphasis on African missions began January 24, 1912 when two American Mennonite groups-the Central Conference of Mennonites and the Defenseless Mennonite church-decided to create a common mission field for Belgian Congo. The new committee went by the official name Congo Inland Mission (CIM). ^[2] The first Mennonite missionaries, Lawrence and Rose Haigh, came to the Congo when still under Belgian rule in 1911. Aided by American Presbyterians and a Congolese evangelist, Mutombo, they established two mission posts, Kalamba Mukenge and Djoko Punda. Successful missions were marked by the training of their first Congolese teacher, Isaac Luabu, in 1915 and then the baptisms of seventeen people at Djoko in 1918. ^[3]

Founding of the Mennonite Church of the Congo

In 1912 Aaron A. Janzen and his wife Ernesta left for the Kasai district of Belgian Congo with the support of foreign missions within the Mennonite Brethren Conference. They too served on the Congo Inland Mission field starting in 1913 but soon Aaron A. Janzen left CIM in 1920 to start a strictly Mennonite Brethren mission post in Kikandji. ^[4] After a realizing the poor location of Kikandji on a hill, they relocated the mission station ten kilometers to Kufumba which promised for more productive land. ^[3] By 1926, they baptized their first convert, Luka Sengele, which led to thirty-seven others who were baptized. This laid the foundation for the Mennonite Church of the Congo. ^[5]

Timeline

1912	Defenseless Mennonite Church and Central Conference Mennonites agree on a new joint mission program in Belgian Congo, Congo Inland Mission (CIM). ^[2] This was also the year when the first Mennonite missionaries, Lawrence and Rose Haigh, arrived in the Belgian Congo. Although not associated with formation of the Mennonite Brethren church of the Congo, they pioneered broad Mennonite missions in the country. ^[3]
1913	The first Mennonite Brethren missionaries Aaron Janzen and his wife Ernestina arrive in Belgian Congo. They are originally station at Djoko Punda, a mission post in the Kasai district. ^[5]
1922	Aaron Janzen traveled more than four hundred kilometers on foot to find a new mission post near Kikwit. ^[6] He is interested in starting a separate mission for the Mennonite Brethren Church. After some time in Kikandji, they decide to relocate ten kilometers to a nearby valley, Kufumba. They hope to settle in Kufumba because of its more productive land. It is here that the first Mennonite Brethren mission post is built. ^[3]
1926	The first convert, Luka Sengele, of Kufumba was baptized. It is then with the help of his witnessing that thirty-seven more people are baptized. This is the foundation for the African Mennonite Brethren Church. ^[6]
1930	With the help of Congolese consultants books of the Bible such as the Gospel of Mathew and Luke along with the Book of Acts were translated into Kikongo (Kituba). Also, a team consisting of Dijimbo Kubala, the first Congolese Mennonite Brethren teacher, Njanja Diyoyo and Ernestina Janzen continued to translate the New Testament up until Ernestina’s death in 1937. After her death, Martha Hiebert joined in translating and the New Testament was completed in 1943. ^[3]
1933	In 1933 a second independent Mennonite Brethren missions begins in Belgian Congo. Reverend H. B. Bartsch from Canada alongside his wife began a mission in the region of Dengese and Bololo. He was a product of the Bible School Movement that pushed people towards missions. They also formed the African Mission Society to support their missions involving friends back in Canada until the broader Mennonite Brethren Missions would take over. ^[5]
1943	It was in this year that the two independent Mennonite Brethren mission efforts combined. Now the American Mennonite Brethren Mission (AMBM) assumed full responsibility for the two mission efforts. This meant that the missionaries no longer were dependent on local resources but rather were supplied by North America. This reinforced the mentality that the church was dependent on the missionaries. Although missionaries now had money to support their various projects, the Congolese lost the mindset of having to work for their own. At this time, missionaries were in charge of most positions in the church. These tasks ranged from pastoral duties to the training of Congolese to take over such responsibilities. Also since male missionaries played this larger role, most decisions in the church were made by males. Even though female missionaries greatly contributed to the foundation of the church, men were seen as in charge. ^[3]
1947	The government declares that it will now subsidize all Protestant Mission Schools. As a result of new subsidies, it is now financially possible for the multiplying of mission stations. Along with new possibilities of growth, CIM and AMBM start to work together on various joint projects. This lead to the foundation of a higher-level teacher school in Nyanga called Ecole de Moniteurs, and a school for missionary children in Kajiji, Ecole Belle Vue. ^[3]
1960	After seventy years of colonization, Congo gains its independence ^[6] During this time, the missionaries began to move their headquarters from rural countryside to urban cities in order to be able to evacuate if they need to. Along with this shift in headquarters was the passing of power to the Congolese people.^[3] In May AMBM adopted the Points of Understanding in the Future Relation of the American Brethren Church and the Association Des Eglises Des Freres Mennonite au Congo. In this document, AMBM acknowledged its joy and privilege to work alongside the Association des Églises de Frères Mennonites au Congo (AEFMC). They agreed to financially support the AEFMC and help out in many other church missions. This was with the acknowledgement that as soon as the AEFMC could manage on its own they would dissolve all responsibilities to the AEFMC. ^[5]
1963	A joint AEFMC/AMBM-EMC/CIM theological school is started in Kajiji. The goal was to train more highly-qualified leaders for the Mennonite Churches in the Congo. The result was that young people from all over Congo went to the school and left with the idea that the Congo Mennonite Church was a unity of the three Mennonite Churches in the Congo. It was the beginning of a spirit of cooperation between the different Mennonite groups in the Congo. ^[3]
1964	The Kwilu rebellion broke out started by Pierre Mulele, a former minister in the cabinet of the first Prime Minister of the Congo, Patrice Lumumba.^[3] The Jeunesse, French word meaning “youth”, consisted of gangs of men that were dissatisfied with how the independence failed to meet their demands. Although their attacks were aimed at predominately government centers, mission stations were also hit because of their close link to the government. That January the Congo Inland Mission station of Kandala was burned to the ground. ^[7] Even though the rebels were eventually pushed back the local Mennonite Brethren churches that were dependent on aid from North America were left stranded and forced to become independent when missionaries fled for their safety. However, many missionaries fled over to Angola which led to a new mission emphasis in Angola. ^[6]
1966	The first post rebellion conference is held at Gungu. Nine churches send forty-two delegates to the gathering. In light of the past two years of devastation within the church as a result of the rebellion and extreme poverty. Members of the conference rejoice in their fellowship. ^[5]
1971	New government leadership changed the countries name to Republic of Zaire. ^[8] With new government, on June 9 the government of Zaire officially acknowledged the Communauté des Églises de Frères Mennonites au Zaire (CEFMZ) replacing the Association des Églises de Frères Mennonites au Congo (AEFMC)as national entity with the following officers serving on the Executive Committee of the president: Arnold Prieb, president; Djimbo Kubala, vice-president; Mukoso Matthieu, secretary; Dijojo Ngango, legal representative; Hartmut Schroeder, assistant secretary. The executive committee is made of five Zairians and two missionaries. Then on August 7, in a conference held at Kafumba, the AMBM no longer operated separate CEFMZ. The headquarters for the CEFMZ was also built in Kikwit soon after. ^[5]
1980	Pakisa Tshimika, a graduate with a master’s degree in public health returned to Kajiji becoming the first non-missionary and university graduate to be in charge of a 150-bed hospital that serves more than 80,000 people. Following Tshimika, Denis Matshifi became the first non-missionary physician in the CEFMZ medical field. Another first was the development of the Department of Health and Development (DESADEC) which provides care in many aspects of health and development. ^[3]
1984	Kadi Hayalume becomes the first CEFMZ woman to graduate with a theology degree. ^[3]
1987	CEFMZ alongside representatives of the other Congo Mennonite Churches participated in sessions of Mennonite World Conference held in Filadelphia Paraguay. At the gathering they issue a joint statement conveying their eagerness to create an organization in Zaire promoting the Anabaptist-Mennonite vision of the church and society. It would also act as a coordinator for activities such as mutual aid and fraternal gatherings in order to increase the unifying ties of Congolese Mennonites. This idea was further reinforced by an inter-Mennonite seminar focused on peace organized by Rev. Mukanza Ilunga at the Mondeko Center in Kinshasa in October. As a result, on December 11, the National Inter-Mennonite Committee was officially formed. ^[3]
1996	The Superior Theological Institue of Kinshasa (ISTK) transformed into the Christian University of Kinshasa (UCKin or Universite Chretienne de Kinsasa). ^[3]
1997	President Mobutu is forced out of Zaire and the country decides to change its name to the Democratic Republic of Congo. ^[8] This results in the CEFMZ becoming the CEFMC better known as the Communauté des Ëglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo (“Background” 5). Replacing him was Mzee Laurent Desire Kabila which signified the time when violence and recruiting child-soldiers into fighting began to take root. ^[3]
2001	Sixteen Mennonite women theologians gathered in Kinshasa to discuss issues relation to Congolese Mennonite women theologians. ^[3]
2003	In August Mama Kadi Tshinyama was ordained by the CEFMC. She was acknowledged for her contribution in the fields of spiritual formation, economic development, and theology. Since then, three more women theologians have ben ordained in the Congo and even more are scheduled to come. ^[9]
2006	New Constitution for the DRC is adopted with a commitment for free election in June. ^[6]
2007	From November twenty-second to the twenty-fifth the world’s second largest concentration gathered in Kinshasa. The meeting was made up of fifty Congolese representing each of the three Mennonite denominations in Congo – the Congo Mennonite Brethren Church, Congo Evangelical Mennonite Church and Congo Mennonite Church. It was the first National Forum of the Congo Forum for Conversation, set up by Mennonite World Conference to promote conversation among Congolese Mennonites about the future of their churches and to think about new models for relationships with the global Anabaptist community. The diverse group was a rarity in the Congo which was made up of as many women as men, participants both you and old, and lay people of the church alongside church leaders. ^[10]

Identification within the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition

Christ-centered

Nzash Lumeya, former missionary with strong connections in the DRC, says to identify with the CEFMC is to be Christo-Centric or Christ-Centered. ^[11] In early missions this is shown through the believer’s baptism. At such mission stations, only adults were baptized into the church. Like early Anabaptists, baptism was given upon a confession of faith after a period of catechetical instruction that marked ones acceptance of their new life in Christ. ^[3]To belong to the CEFMC today is to join a fellowship in communion with the crucified and resurrected Christ. ^[11] The grace experience in baptism is then coupled with a radical change in lifestyle exemplified in daily obedience to discipleship. Congolese are called to live out their faith and take up the cross and follow Christ daily. ^[3]

Peacemaking

The CEFMC is a very closely linked with peacemaking. This has a strong emphasis in a country that throughout its history has almost always been ravaged by war. According to Kulungu, son of MCC representative Pasacal Kulungu and current student at Fresno Pacific University, Mennonites in the Congo believe in peacemaking and peace building at the core of their beliefs. CEFMC has numerous programs promoting peace in the Congo and Africa as a whole. ^[12] In fact, Congolese Mennonites are greatly contributing to the process of peace education and conflict transformation. Organization like the African Institute of Conciliation (INAC or Institut Africain de Conciliation) and the Council for Peace and Reconciliation in the Congo (CPRC) have actively engaged in peace education and conflict resolution without violence since civil war broke out in 1996. ^[3]

Focus on missions

In the CEFMC church planting is essential. Through their beliefs that the glorified Christ will again return seated at the right hand of the Father, there is a strong emphasis on missions. In fact, sharing their faith is not a choice but rather a commission by God. As a result, Churches are being planted locally (within the DRC), in Africa (Republic of Congo, Angola, South Africa, and more) and even globally (France, Canada, and the United States). ^[11]

Anabaptist learning

The CEFMC is very involved in MWC and MBMSI. Since the 1980s, all the three Mennonite church conferences in the Congo have participated in MWC. Leaders from each conference such as Rev. Masolo of CEFMC have served on the Executive Committee of MWC. In fact, Dr. Pakisa Tshimika is currently on the MWC staff. Also, through cooperation structures like the National Inter-Mennonite Committee (CONIM) various programs have been implemented such as peace education, training and information on the Anabaptist vision, research and documentation on the identity of Mennonite churches in Africa, and Inter-Mennonite consultations. ^[3]

Present challenges

Economic and Physical Challenges

The DRC is one of the poorest countries in the world with seventy-one percent of its population under the poverty line. ^[8] Spiritually the CEFMC is strong. In fact the church is growing quickly despite such poor economic conditions. ^[12] However, the challenge becomes how does a church support itself when so many of its members are unemployed? According to Clement Kroeker who grew up in the DRC and is actively involved in humanitarian aid in the DRC today, even though the Communauté des Eglises des Frères Mennonites du Congo is one of the largest Mennonite groups in the world and is very strong spiritually, it is very poor and does not receive much help from any foreign organization. ^[13] Due to little money, many churches are unable to even pay their pastors. Thus the CEFMC will continue to struggle with economic and physical challenges due to the constant uncertain political and economical situations in the DRC. ^[12]

Gap of skills

Missions in the Congo have always emphasized teaching and learning the Gospel. This was often done through chapel-schools where orphans were taken in and taught agriculture, broad education, and the Gospel. An extension of these chapel-schools became the biblical institutes for teaching the next generation of theologians. ^[3]Although this emphasized growth resulted in much growth in the CEFMZ it also resulted in a gap of skills. ^[11] Many youth were becoming pastors and then the rest were mainly unemployed and in the church. A new emphasis must be made on getting youth to schools to learn other trades not just scripture. Teachers, doctors, mechanics, and other various professions must be taught so that the members of the church can stabilize and support the church. As Kulungu put it, a diversity of knowledge is crucial to a healthy church. ^[12]

Future of Communauté des Eglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo

When asking someone native to the Congo about the future there is some hesitation in their response. This is due to the fact that in Africa it is uncommon to think let alone worry about the future. This is not attributed to ignorance but rather African society. In light of this fact, the future for the Communauté des Eglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo (CEFMC) is both optimistic and troubling. There is no doubt in the minds of the CEFMC that its church will continue to grow. The question is how quickly. Will the church double in five years? Ten years? Fifty years? However, financially, the future of the church does not look any different. The physical finances of the church are all dependent on the government so most likely it will have similar problems. ^[12]

Key Individuals in the Communauté des Eglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo

Damien Pelende Tshinyama is the president of Eglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo ^[1]

Pascal Kulungu is Mennonite Central Committee's contact person with CEFMC

Gilbert Ndunda was the presiding officer in 2003

Ngelego was the Secretary General in 2003

Dr. Pakisa Tshimika was the Director of Health and Development in 1995 and is currently MWC Global Church Advocate ^[14]

Electronic Resources

Citations

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 ^1.5 ^1.6 "Mennonite World Conference Directory (2006)." Mennonite World Conference. http://www.mwc-cmm.org/en15/PDF-PPT/2006africa.pdf (accessed 7 April 2011). Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "WD2006" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "WD2006" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "WD2006" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "WD2006" defined multiple times with different content
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Juhnke, James C. A People of Mission: A History of General Conference Mennonite Overseas Missions . Newton, Kansas: Faith and Life Press, 1979. Print.
↑ ^3.00 ^3.01 ^3.02 ^3.03 ^3.04 ^3.05 ^3.06 ^3.07 ^3.08 ^3.09 ^3.10 ^3.11 ^3.12 ^3.13 ^3.14 ^3.15 ^3.16 ^3.17 ^3.18 ^3.19 ^3.20 Lapp, John A, and C A. Snyder. Anabaptist Songs in African Hearts: Global Mennonite History Series: Africa. Intercourse, PA: Good Books, 2006. Print.
↑ Janzen, A. E. and Peter M. Hamm. "Communauté des Ëglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia. http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/C65403.html. (accessed 18 April 2011)
↑ ^5.0 ^5.1 ^5.2 ^5.3 ^5.4 ^5.5 Toews, J B, and Paul G. Hiebert. The Mennonite Brethren Church in Zaire. Fresno, Calif: Board of Christian Literature, General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, 1978. Print.
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 ^6.3 ^6.4 “Background on the DRC.” MBMS International Witness Magazine (Summer 2006). Print.
↑ Martens, Phyllis. The Mustard Tree: The Story of Mennonite Brethren Missions. Fresno, Calif: Mennonite Brethren Boards of Christian Education in cooperation with the Board of Missions/Services, 1971. Print.
↑ ^8.0 ^8.1 ^8.2 "Congo, Democratic Republic of the," CIA World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cg.html (accessed 5 August 2009).
↑ Gloria Neufeld Redekop, “The Understanding of Woman’s Place Among Mennonite Brethren in Canada: A Question of Biblical Interpretation,” The Conrad Grebel Review, 8 (Fall, 1990), pages 259-274. http://www.mbconf.ca/home/products_and_services/resources/publicati ons/mb _herald/vol_47_no_5/people_and_events/ordination_of_two_women_revives_discussion/.
↑ Lind, Tim D. “Mennonite groups find unity in Congo: Fifty men and women from three conferences discuss new church models.” The Mennonite 01 Jan. 2008: n. pag.(Accessed 15 Apr. 2011).
↑ ^11.0 ^11.1 ^11.2 ^11.3 Lumeya, Nzash. “Re: Conversation and Learning: Goshen College.” Message to Aaron Shelly. 15 Apr. 2011 E-mail.
↑ ^12.0 ^12.1 ^12.2 ^12.3 ^12.4 Kulungu, Doug. Personal interview. 15 Apr. 2011.
↑ Kroeker, Clement. “ Re: Greetings from DRC Aaron.” Message to Aaron Shelly. 15 Apr. 2011. E-mail.
↑ "Staff &amp;amp;amp; Offices." Mennonite World Conference. http://www.mwc-cmm.org/en15/index.php?option=com_content&amp;amp;amp;view=article&amp;amp;amp;id=10&amp;amp;amp;Itemid=13&amp;amp;amp;lang=en (accessed 18 April 2011).

Acknowledgments

Aaron Shelly compiled much of the information presented here in a student research paper for a spring 2011 Anabaptist Mennonite History Class at Goshen College.

[WD2006-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 ^1.5 ^1.6 "Mennonite World Conference Directory (2006)." Mennonite World Conference. http://www.mwc-cmm.org/en15/PDF-PPT/2006africa.pdf (accessed 7 April 2011). Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "WD2006" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "WD2006" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "WD2006" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "WD2006" defined multiple times with different content

[Juhnke-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Juhnke, James C. A People of Mission: A History of General Conference Mennonite Overseas Missions . Newton, Kansas: Faith and Life Press, 1979. Print.

[asah-3] 3.00 ^3.01 ^3.02 ^3.03 ^3.04 ^3.05 ^3.06 ^3.07 ^3.08 ^3.09 ^3.10 ^3.11 ^3.12 ^3.13 ^3.14 ^3.15 ^3.16 ^3.17 ^3.18 ^3.19 ^3.20 Lapp, John A, and C A. Snyder. Anabaptist Songs in African Hearts: Global Mennonite History Series: Africa. Intercourse, PA: Good Books, 2006. Print.

[gameo-4] Janzen, A. E. and Peter M. Hamm. "Communauté des Ëglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia. http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/C65403.html. (accessed 18 April 2011)

[MBofZ-5] 5.0 ^5.1 ^5.2 ^5.3 ^5.4 ^5.5 Toews, J B, and Paul G. Hiebert. The Mennonite Brethren Church in Zaire. Fresno, Calif: Board of Christian Literature, General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, 1978. Print.

[DRC-6] 6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 ^6.3 ^6.4 “Background on the DRC.” MBMS International Witness Magazine (Summer 2006). Print.

[Martens-7] Martens, Phyllis. The Mustard Tree: The Story of Mennonite Brethren Missions. Fresno, Calif: Mennonite Brethren Boards of Christian Education in cooperation with the Board of Missions/Services, 1971. Print.

[CIA-8] 8.0 ^8.1 ^8.2 "Congo, Democratic Republic of the," CIA World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cg.html (accessed 5 August 2009).

[Redekop-9] Gloria Neufeld Redekop, “The Understanding of Woman’s Place Among Mennonite Brethren in Canada: A Question of Biblical Interpretation,” The Conrad Grebel Review, 8 (Fall, 1990), pages 259-274. http://www.mbconf.ca/home/products_and_services/resources/publicati ons/mb _herald/vol_47_no_5/people_and_events/ordination_of_two_women_revives_discussion/.

[Lind-10] Lind, Tim D. “Mennonite groups find unity in Congo: Fifty men and women from three conferences discuss new church models.” The Mennonite 01 Jan. 2008: n. pag.(Accessed 15 Apr. 2011).

[Lumeya-11] 11.0 ^11.1 ^11.2 ^11.3 Lumeya, Nzash. “Re: Conversation and Learning: Goshen College.” Message to Aaron Shelly. 15 Apr. 2011 E-mail.

[Kulungu-12] 12.0 ^12.1 ^12.2 ^12.3 ^12.4 Kulungu, Doug. Personal interview. 15 Apr. 2011.

[Kroeker-13] Kroeker, Clement. “ Re: Greetings from DRC Aaron.” Message to Aaron Shelly. 15 Apr. 2011. E-mail.

[MWC-14] "Staff &amp;amp; Offices." Mennonite World Conference. http://www.mwc-cmm.org/en15/index.php?option=com_content&amp;amp;view=article&amp;amp;id=10&amp;amp;Itemid=13&amp;amp;lang=en (accessed 18 April 2011).

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-==History==
+{{GoogleTranslateLinks}} {{Languages}} {{Infobox
-===Origins===
+|Box title     = Communauté des Eglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo
-====Early mission attempt====
+|image         =
-In 1903, the BIC [[General Conference]] authorized the [[Foreign Mission Board]] to establish a mission in India under the supervision of the Brethren in Christ Church. The mission began to take form in 1904 and a year later the BIC missionaries arrived in Bombay. The group took up residence in Arrah, near the India-Nepal border in the state of Bihar. But after the first year, it became evident that the mission was struggling. In 1905 the leaders of the mission group left the Brethren in Christ to work with a different mission society. Beyond this initial setback, the missionaries were not providing large numbers of converts. In fact, by 1909 the mission community numbered a mere 15 individuals. It was recognized that the Hindu caste system was making evangelism a much more difficult task than in other regions such as the mission field in Africa. Because of this reality, the BIC in North America experienced a church-wide shift in attention away from India towards the fruitful missions in Africa. Eventually, in 1912, the missionaries returned home. They had been unable to successfully establish a permanent mission station but they set the stage for later mission work in India. The experience revealed the need for stronger leadership in the field, a permanent mission station and for more adequate financial support. <ref name="quest">Wittlinger, Carlton O. ''Quest for Piety and Obedience: the Story of the Brethren in Christ''. Nappanee, Ind, Evangel Press, 1977.</ref>
+|imagewidth    = 300
+|caption       = Democratic Republic of the Congo: World Factbook, 2011
-====Founding of the Brethren in Christ Church Society====
+|Row 1 title   = Location
-The Foreign Mission Board soon issued a statement that a second mission to India would soon be established. The group solidified and in 1913 the missionaries reached Calcutta under the leadership of Henry Smith. The missionaries spent their first month observing the facilities and methods of other established Anabaptist missions in India. After this short period the group began looking for a place to start their own ministry.<ref name="quest" /> Smith approached the comity committee, a collection of Christian churches and missions in India that guided new missions to yet un-evangelized regions of India.<ref name="churchinmission"> Sider, Harvey. ''The Church in Mission''. Nappanee, Ind, Evangel Press, 1975.</ref> Through the guidance of their fellow Christians, the group eventually decided upon a location in the densely populated Bhagalpur District of Bihar. The mission, established it's first residence house in the village of Saur. Several months later the group decided to move twelve miles north of Saur to Madhipura. By 1918 the mission had established a presence in Bihar with mission stations in Saharsa, Madhipura and Supaul.<ref name="quest" />
+|Row 1 info    = <center>Democratic Republic of Congo</center><ref name="WD2006">"Mennonite World Conference Directory (2006)." Mennonite World Conference. http://www.mwc-cmm.org/en15/PDF-PPT/2006africa.pdf (accessed 7 April 2011).</ref>
-===Timeline===
+|Row 2 title   = Date established
-{|cellpadding="3"
+|Row 2 info    = <center>1943</center><ref name="WD2006">.</ref>
-|valign="top" width="200"|'''1905'''
-|The first [[BIC]] missionaries arrive in Bombay on January 6. The missionaries station themselves in Arrah, in north [[India]]. While they spend most of their time engaged in language studies, the Missionaries set up a preliminary Sunday service and Sunday school for those able to speak English. By October the the missionaries had baptized the first three converts: a Brahman and a Muslim father and daughter.<ref name="quest" />
+|Row 3 title   = Presiding officer
+|Row 3 info    = <center>Damien Pelende Tshinyama, Pres</center><ref name="WD2006">.</ref>
+|Row 4 title   = Church members
+|Row 4 info    = <center>95,208</center><ref name="WD2006">.</ref>
+|Row 5 title   = Number of Congregations
+|Row 5 info    = <center>582</center><ref name="WD2006">.</ref>
+}}
+'''Communauté des Eglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo (CEFMC)''', or the Mennonite Brethren Churches in the Congo, is a Mennonite Brethren Church located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Communauté des Eglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo is strongly affiliated with the broader Mennonite Brethren Church, Mennonite World Conference, and Mennonite Central Committee. The last world directory conducted by Mennonite World Conference in 2006 estimated EFMC’s membership at 95,208 in 582 congregations. <ref name="WD2006" />
+{{storiesblock
+|PageName= Communauté des Eglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo
+}}
+== History  ==
+=== Origins  ===
+==== Early Congolese mission attempt  ====
+An emphasis on African missions began January 24, 1912 when two American Mennonite groups-the Central Conference of Mennonites and the Defenseless Mennonite church-decided to create a common mission field for Belgian Congo. The new committee went by the official name Congo Inland Mission (CIM). <ref name="Juhnke">Juhnke, James C. A People of Mission: A History of General Conference Mennonite Overseas Missions . Newton, Kansas: Faith and Life Press, 1979. Print.</ref> The first Mennonite missionaries, Lawrence and Rose Haigh, came to the Congo when still under Belgian rule in 1911. Aided by American Presbyterians and a Congolese evangelist, Mutombo, they established two mission posts, Kalamba Mukenge and Djoko Punda. Successful missions were marked by the training of their first Congolese teacher, Isaac Luabu, in 1915 and then the baptisms of seventeen people at Djoko in 1918. <ref name="asah">Lapp, John A, and C A. Snyder. Anabaptist Songs in African Hearts: Global Mennonite History Series: Africa. Intercourse, PA: Good Books, 2006. Print.</ref>
+==== Founding of the Mennonite Church of the Congo  ====
+In 1912 Aaron A. Janzen and his wife Ernesta left for the Kasai district of Belgian Congo with the support of foreign missions within the Mennonite Brethren Conference. They too served on the Congo Inland Mission field starting in 1913 but soon Aaron A. Janzen left CIM in 1920 to start a strictly Mennonite Brethren mission post in Kikandji. <ref name="gameo">Janzen, A. E. and Peter M. Hamm. "Communauté des Ëglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia. http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/C65403.html. (accessed 18 April 2011)</ref> After a realizing the poor location of Kikandji on a hill, they relocated the mission station ten kilometers to Kufumba which promised for more productive land. <ref name="asah" /> By 1926, they baptized their first convert, Luka Sengele, which led to thirty-seven others who were baptized. This laid the foundation for the Mennonite Church of the Congo. <ref name="MBofZ">Toews, J B, and Paul G. Hiebert. The Mennonite Brethren Church in Zaire. Fresno, Calif: Board of Christian Literature, General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, 1978. Print.</ref>
+<br>
+=== Timeline  ===
+{| cellpadding="3"
+|-
+| valign="top" width="200" | '''1912'''
+| Defenseless Mennonite Church and Central Conference Mennonites agree on a new joint mission program in Belgian Congo, Congo Inland Mission (CIM). <ref name="Juhnke" /> This was also the year when the first Mennonite missionaries, Lawrence and Rose Haigh, arrived in the Belgian Congo. Although not associated with formation of the Mennonite Brethren church of the Congo, they pioneered broad Mennonite missions in the country. <ref name="asah" />
+|-
+| valign="top" | '''1913'''
+| The first Mennonite Brethren missionaries Aaron Janzen and his wife Ernestina arrive in Belgian Congo. They are originally station at Djoko Punda, a mission post in the Kasai district. <ref name="MBofZ" />
+|-
+| valign="top" | '''1922'''
+| Aaron Janzen traveled more than four hundred kilometers on foot to find a new mission post near Kikwit. <ref name="DRC">“Background on the DRC.” MBMS International Witness Magazine (Summer 2006). Print. </ref> He is interested in starting a separate mission for the Mennonite Brethren Church. After some time in Kikandji, they decide to relocate ten kilometers to a nearby valley, Kufumba. They hope to settle in Kufumba because of its more productive land. It is here that the first Mennonite Brethren mission post is built. <ref name="asah" />
+|-
+| valign="top" | '''1926'''
+| The first convert, Luka Sengele, of Kufumba was baptized. It is then with the help of his witnessing that thirty-seven more people are baptized. This is the foundation for the African Mennonite Brethren Church. <ref name="DRC" />
+|-
+| valign="top" | '''1930'''
+| With the help of Congolese consultants books of the Bible such as the Gospel of Mathew and Luke along with the Book of Acts were translated into Kikongo (Kituba). Also, a team consisting of Dijimbo Kubala, the first Congolese Mennonite Brethren teacher, Njanja Diyoyo and Ernestina Janzen continued to translate the New Testament up until Ernestina’s death in 1937. After her death, Martha Hiebert joined in translating and the New Testament was completed in 1943. <ref name="asah" />
+|-
+| valign="top" | '''1933'''
+| In 1933 a second independent Mennonite Brethren missions begins in Belgian Congo. Reverend H. B. Bartsch from Canada alongside his wife began a mission in the region of Dengese and Bololo. He was a product of the Bible School Movement that pushed people towards missions. They also formed the African Mission Society to support their missions involving friends back in Canada until the broader Mennonite Brethren Missions would take over. <ref name="MBofZ" />
+|-
+| valign="top" | '''1943'''
+| It was in this year that the two independent Mennonite Brethren mission efforts combined. Now the American Mennonite Brethren Mission (AMBM) assumed full responsibility for the two mission efforts. This meant that the missionaries no longer were dependent on local resources but rather were supplied by North America. This reinforced the mentality that the church was dependent on the missionaries. Although missionaries now had money to support their various projects, the Congolese lost the mindset of having to work for their own. At this time, missionaries were in charge of most positions in the church. These tasks ranged from pastoral duties to the training of Congolese to take over such responsibilities. Also since male missionaries played this larger role, most decisions in the church were made by males. Even though female missionaries greatly contributed to the foundation of the church, men were seen as in charge. <ref name="asah" />
 |-
-|valign="top"|'''1906'''
+| valign="top" | '''1947'''
-|The leaders of the BIC mission, the Angeneys leave the BIC for a different mission society. The 1906 General Conference directed the Foreign Mission Board to seek a capable leader to take charge of the mission. Meanwhile, the remaining missionaries conducted Sunday services, engaged in visitations, ministered to the sick, attempted to meet the needs of widows and conducted bible classes. The mission also expanded their ministry to education programs for women and the poor.<ref name="quest" />
+| The government declares that it will now subsidize all Protestant Mission Schools. As a result of new subsidies, it is now financially possible for the multiplying of mission stations. Along with new possibilities of growth, CIM and AMBM start to work together on various joint projects. This lead to the foundation of a higher-level teacher school in Nyanga called Ecole de Moniteurs, and a school for missionary children in Kajiji, Ecole Belle Vue. <ref name="asah" />
 |-
-|valign="top"|'''1912'''
+| valign="top" | '''1960'''
-|Missionaries return home after struggling for seven years. In the end the missionaries were unable to establish a permanent mission in India. But they did give the next generation of missionaries valuable insights into what is required for establishing a successful mission in the region.<ref name="quest" />
+| After seventy years of colonization, Congo gains its independence <ref name="DRC" /> During this time, the missionaries began to move their headquarters from rural countryside to urban cities in order to be able to evacuate if they need to. Along with this shift in headquarters was the passing of power to the Congolese people.<ref name="asah" /> In May AMBM adopted the Points of Understanding in the Future Relation of the American Brethren Church and the Association Des Eglises Des Freres Mennonite au Congo. In this document, AMBM acknowledged its joy and privilege to work alongside the Association des Églises de Frères Mennonites au Congo (AEFMC). They agreed to financially support the AEFMC and help out in many other church missions. This was with the acknowledgement that as soon as the AEFMC could manage on its own they would dissolve all responsibilities to the AEFMC. <ref name="MBofZ" />
 |-
-|valign="top"|'''1913'''
+| valign="top" | '''1963'''
-|Foreign Mission Board sends over a second group of missionaries led by Henry Smith poised to conduct a mission informed by the difficulties of the past mission in Arrah.<ref name="quest" />
+| A joint AEFMC/AMBM-EMC/CIM theological school is started in Kajiji. The goal was to train more highly-qualified leaders for the Mennonite Churches in the Congo. The result was that young people from all over Congo went to the school and left with the idea that the Congo Mennonite Church was a unity of the three Mennonite Churches in the Congo. It was the beginning of a spirit of cooperation between the different Mennonite groups in the Congo. <ref name="asah" />
 |-
-|valign="top"|'''1918'''
+| valign="top" | '''1964'''
-|The mission reached a benchmark in 1918 and had established three stations in Bihar: Saharsa, Madhipura and Supaul. After five years of mission work, Saharsa and madhipura reported to have two members and four inquirers; Supaul had 16 adherents. <ref name="quest" />
+| The Kwilu rebellion broke out started by Pierre Mulele, a former minister in the cabinet of the first Prime Minister of the Congo, Patrice Lumumba.<ref name="asah" /> The Jeunesse, French word meaning “youth”, consisted of gangs of men that were dissatisfied with how the independence failed to meet their demands. Although their attacks were aimed at predominately government centers, mission stations were also hit because of their close link to the government. That January the Congo Inland Mission station of Kandala was burned to the ground. <ref name="Martens">Martens, Phyllis. The Mustard Tree: The Story of Mennonite Brethren Missions. Fresno, Calif: Mennonite Brethren Boards of Christian Education in cooperation with the Board of Missions/Services, 1971. Print.</ref> Even though the rebels were eventually pushed back the local Mennonite Brethren churches that were dependent on aid from North America were left stranded and forced to become independent when missionaries fled for their safety. However, many missionaries fled over to Angola which led to a new mission emphasis in Angola. <ref name="DRC" />
 |-
-|valign="top"|'''1919'''
+| valign="top" | '''1966'''
-|Marked the beginning of the church's orphanage ministry. The missionaries began by simply caring for a motherless boy but soon formed both a boys and girls orphanage  each with their own school. The orphanages would eventually become the principle source of members for the church as it developed through the mid-century.<ref name="quest" />
+| The first post rebellion conference is held at Gungu. Nine churches send forty-two delegates to the gathering. In light of the past two years of devastation within the church as a result of the rebellion and extreme poverty. Members of the conference rejoice in their fellowship. <ref name="MBofZ" />
 |-
-|valign="top"|'''1922'''
+| valign="top" | '''1971'''
-|The mission adopts a new statement of purpose to explain their shift in mission tactics. Because of the lack of response to their evangelistic efforts, the mission had already begun focusing their attention on various social ministries to address issues related to orphans, widows, education and health. To continue the mission's direct evangelical work, leadership began to hire Christian nationals to supplement the foreign missionaries.<ref name="frommissiontochurch"> Sider, Harvey R. "From Mission to Church: India." ''Brethren in Christ History & Life'' 17, (August 1, 1994): 113-144. </ref>
+| New government leadership changed the countries name to Republic of Zaire. <ref name="CIA">"Congo, Democratic Republic of the," ''CIA World Factbook''. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cg.html (accessed 5 August 2009).</ref> With new government, on June 9 the government of Zaire officially acknowledged the Communauté des Églises de Frères Mennonites au Zaire (CEFMZ) replacing the Association des Églises de Frères Mennonites au Congo (AEFMC)as national entity with the following officers serving on the Executive Committee of the president: Arnold Prieb, president; Djimbo Kubala, vice-president; Mukoso Matthieu, secretary; Dijojo Ngango, legal representative; Hartmut Schroeder, assistant secretary. The executive committee is made of five Zairians and two missionaries. Then on August 7, in a conference held at Kafumba, the AMBM no longer operated separate CEFMZ. The headquarters for the CEFMZ was also built in Kikwit soon after. <ref name="MBofZ" />
 |-
-|valign="top"|'''1924'''
+| valign="top" | '''1980'''
-|After a decade of mission work in India, Henry Smith dies of Smallpox. Leadership passes to Amos Dick who would give a lifetime of service in India. In 1935 the General Conference made Amos Dick the Bishop of the India Mission field.<ref name="quest" />
+| Pakisa Tshimika, a graduate with a master’s degree in public health returned to Kajiji becoming the first non-missionary and university graduate to be in charge of a 150-bed hospital that serves more than 80,000 people. Following Tshimika, Denis Matshifi became the first non-missionary physician in the CEFMZ medical field. Another first was the development of the Department of Health and Development (DESADEC) which provides care in many aspects of health and development. <ref name="asah" />
 |-
-|valign="top"|'''1939'''
+| valign="top" | '''1984'''
-|The church in India celebrated its Silver Jubilee with 151 baptisms of new converts; the Christian community now numbered around 200. The church recognized that it had been growing slowly. Likely the biggest contributing factor was the fact that evangelism had always struggled to make inroads into the Hindu community. The caste system had always been a hurtle for the likely convert. Essentially, in caste system conversion makes one equivalent to an outcast among their people. Which explains why the most converts prior to the mid-century the most converts were form lower castes whose members would likely loose less by conversion. But thankfully, the church's 25th anniversary would be seen in retrospect as a turning point for the mission and the growth of the church.<ref name="quest" />
+| Kadi Hayalume becomes the first CEFMZ woman to graduate with a theology degree. <ref name="asah" />
 |-
-|valign="top"|'''1945'''
+| valign="top" | '''1987'''
-|The widely successful mission to the Santals begins. The Santals were a tribal group moving into the Bihar region. They were notably less bound to the Hindu caste system and were thus more responsive to evangelism. In fact, when BIC missionary Charles Engle originally contacted them he discovered that some of the Santals were already baptized Christians. Because of the Santals response to evangelism, a new mission, Banmankhi, was established within access of the Santal villages. This outreach to the Santal villages largely accounts for the fourfold increase of the Indian church in the decades following the Silver Jubilee.<ref name="quest" /> Among the Santals, several nationals rose up as talented leaders. Benjamin Marandi, an excellent church planter, began a church by himself that would swell to well over 1000 members before his active days of ministry were done.<ref name="frommissiontochurch" />
+| CEFMZ alongside representatives of the other Congo Mennonite Churches participated in sessions of Mennonite World Conference held in Filadelphia Paraguay. At the gathering they issue a joint statement conveying their eagerness to create an organization in Zaire promoting the Anabaptist-Mennonite vision of the church and society. It would also act as a coordinator for activities such as mutual aid and fraternal gatherings in order to increase the unifying ties of Congolese Mennonites. This idea was further reinforced by an inter-Mennonite seminar focused on peace organized by Rev. Mukanza Ilunga at the Mondeko Center in Kinshasa in October. As a result, on December 11, the National Inter-Mennonite Committee was officially formed. <ref name="asah" />
 |-
-|valign="top"|'''1954'''
+| valign="top" | '''1996'''
-|The first three India nationals are ordained by the church.<ref name="frommissiontochurch" />
+| The Superior Theological Institue of Kinshasa (ISTK) transformed into the Christian University of Kinshasa (UCKin or Universite Chretienne de Kinsasa). <ref name="asah" />
 |-
-|valign="top"|'''1955'''
+| valign="top" | '''1997'''
-|The first constitution for the Brethren in Christ Church in India was written. Within the document, there was noted cooperation between the foreign missionaries and the native church leaders. Both would serve on the church's executive committee. Unfortunately the constitution was never registered as an official document. Subsequently, the document was only ever loosely followed.<ref name="frommissiontochurch" /> Among several new changes  the constitution provided for a church chairmanship to be rotated among four regional superintendents.<ref name="quest" /> An interesting factor to note is that the first church Chairman was a missionary and not a national.<ref name="frommissiontochurch" />
+| President Mobutu is forced out of Zaire and the country decides to change its name to the Democratic Republic of Congo. <ref name="CIA" /> This results in the CEFMZ becoming the CEFMC better known as the Communauté des Ëglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo (“Background” 5). Replacing him was Mzee Laurent Desire Kabila which signified the time when violence and recruiting child-soldiers into fighting began to take root. <ref name="asah" />
 |-
-|valign="top"|'''1967'''
+| valign="top" | '''2001'''
-|A foreign missionary continued to sit as church chairman until 1967 when Chairman Harvey Sider indicated that he would not be available to continue being church chairman. Form this point onward the church chairman has been an Indian national.<ref name="frommissiontochurch" /> The first nationals to hold the office were Hem K. Paul, Surendra N. Roy, Patros Hembrom and Sohan Lal Bara.<ref name="quest" /> Following this movement towards integrating nationals into church leadership, the ordained leadership joined the mission/church executive committee. This was the first real opportunity for nationals to become a real part of the decision making process. Naturally this slowed the process down considerably, but it also furthered the development of trust, mutuality and holistic decision making.<ref name="frommissiontochurch" />
+| Sixteen Mennonite women theologians gathered in Kinshasa to discuss issues relation to Congolese Mennonite women theologians. <ref name="asah" />
 |-
-|valign="top"|'''1972'''
+| valign="top" | '''2003'''
-|As nationals continued to take over the institutions of the church, it became increasingly important to have a constitution that was registered with the sate government. In 1972 a revised constitution was finally approved and registered in the state capital of Patna. Besides allowing the church to be recognized as a authentic Indian institution, the registered status, allowed for the church to receive funds directly from North America rather than through the mission. The document remains to be the basis for policy decisions in the Brethren in Christ Church in India.<ref name="frommissiontochurch" />
+| In August Mama Kadi Tshinyama was ordained by the CEFMC. She was acknowledged for her contribution in the fields of spiritual formation, economic development, and theology. Since then, three more women theologians have ben ordained in the Congo and even more are scheduled to come. <ref name="Redekop">Gloria Neufeld Redekop, “The Understanding of Woman’s Place Among Mennonite Brethren in Canada: A Question of Biblical Interpretation,” The Conrad Grebel Review, 8 (Fall, 1990), pages 259-274. http://www.mbconf.ca/home/products_and_services/resources/publicati ons/mb _herald/vol_47_no_5/people_and_events/ordination_of_two_women_revives_discussion/.</ref>
 |-
-|valign="top"|'''1974'''
+| valign="top" | '''2006'''
-|With the church officially registered, the Mission transferred ownership of all lands and holdings over to the national BIC church of India. And in 1974 the BIC Mission in India was officially terminated. This was the moment when the BIC in India became fully autonomous.<ref name="quest" />
+| New Constitution for the DRC is adopted with a commitment for free election in June. <ref name="DRC" />
 |-
-|valign="top"|'''1997'''
+| valign="top" | '''2007'''
-|The 13th Mennonite World Conference general assembly was held in Calcutta, India. Many members of Bharatiya Khristiya Mandali were in attendance. This was an eye opening moment for the BIC church in India since many of them had been previously unaware of such gatherings.  Beyond revealing the broader Anabaptist community, it was also a moment to strengthen their faith as Anabaptist Christians.<ref name="devadason" />
+| From November twenty-second to the twenty-fifth the world’s second largest concentration gathered in Kinshasa. The meeting was made up of fifty Congolese representing each of the three Mennonite denominations in Congo – the Congo Mennonite Brethren Church, Congo Evangelical Mennonite Church and Congo Mennonite Church. It was the first National Forum of the Congo Forum for Conversation, set up by Mennonite World Conference to promote conversation among Congolese Mennonites about the future of their churches and to think about new models for relationships with the global Anabaptist community. The diverse group was a rarity in the Congo which was made up of as many women as men, participants both you and old, and lay people of the church alongside church leaders. <ref name="Lind">Lind, Tim D. “Mennonite groups find unity in Congo: Fifty men and women from three conferences discuss new church models.” The Mennonite 01 Jan. 2008: n. pag.(Accessed 15 Apr. 2011). </ref>
 |}
-[[Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo Sources]]
+== Identification within the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition  ==
+=== Christ-centered  ===
+Nzash Lumeya, former missionary with strong connections in the DRC, says to identify with the CEFMC is to be Christo-Centric or Christ-Centered. <ref name="Lumeya">Lumeya, Nzash. “Re: Conversation and Learning: Goshen College.” Message to Aaron Shelly. 15 Apr. 2011 E-mail.</ref> In early missions this is shown through the believer’s baptism. At such mission stations, only adults were baptized into the church. Like early Anabaptists, baptism was given upon a confession of faith after a period of catechetical instruction that marked ones acceptance of their new life in Christ. <ref name="asah" />To belong to the CEFMC today is to join a fellowship in communion with the crucified and resurrected Christ. <ref name="Lumeya" /> The grace experience in baptism is then coupled with a radical change in lifestyle exemplified in daily obedience to discipleship. Congolese are called to live out their faith and take up the cross and follow Christ daily. <ref name="asah" />
+=== Peacemaking  ===
+The CEFMC is a very closely linked with peacemaking. This has a strong emphasis in a country that throughout its history has almost always been ravaged by war. According to Kulungu, son of MCC representative Pasacal Kulungu and current student at Fresno Pacific University, Mennonites in the Congo believe in peacemaking and peace building at the core of their beliefs. CEFMC has numerous programs promoting peace in the Congo and Africa as a whole. <ref name="Kulungu">Kulungu, Doug. Personal interview. 15 Apr. 2011. </ref> In fact, Congolese Mennonites are greatly contributing to the process of peace education and conflict transformation. Organization like the African Institute of Conciliation (INAC or Institut Africain de Conciliation) and the Council for Peace and Reconciliation in the Congo (CPRC) have actively engaged in peace education and conflict resolution without violence since civil war broke out in 1996. <ref name="asah" />
+=== Focus on missions  ===
+In the CEFMC church planting is essential. Through their beliefs that the glorified Christ will again return seated at the right hand of the Father, there is a strong emphasis on missions. In fact, sharing their faith is not a choice but rather a commission by God. As a result, Churches are being planted locally (within the DRC), in Africa (Republic of Congo, Angola, South Africa, and more) and even globally (France, Canada, and the United States). <ref name="Lumeya" />
+=== Anabaptist learning  ===
+The CEFMC is very involved in MWC and MBMSI. Since the 1980s, all the three Mennonite church conferences in the Congo have participated in MWC. Leaders from each conference such as Rev. Masolo of CEFMC have served on the Executive Committee of MWC. In fact, Dr. Pakisa Tshimika is currently on the MWC staff. Also, through cooperation structures like the National Inter-Mennonite Committee (CONIM) various programs have been implemented such as peace education, training and information on the Anabaptist vision, research and documentation on the identity of Mennonite churches in Africa, and Inter-Mennonite consultations. <ref name="asah" />
+== Present challenges  ==
+=== Economic and Physical Challenges  ===
+The DRC is one of the poorest countries in the world with seventy-one percent of its population under the poverty line. <ref name="CIA" /> Spiritually the CEFMC is strong. In fact the church is growing quickly despite such poor economic conditions. <ref name="Kulungu" /> However, the challenge becomes how does a church support itself when so many of its members are unemployed? According to Clement Kroeker who grew up in the DRC and is actively involved in humanitarian aid in the DRC today, even though the Communauté des Eglises des Frères Mennonites du Congo is one of the largest Mennonite groups in the world and is very strong spiritually, it is very poor and does not receive much help from any foreign organization. <ref name="Kroeker">Kroeker, Clement. “ Re: Greetings from DRC Aaron.” Message to Aaron Shelly. 15 Apr. 2011. E-mail. </ref> Due to little money, many churches are unable to even pay their pastors. Thus the CEFMC will continue to struggle with economic and physical challenges due to the constant uncertain political and economical situations in the DRC. <ref name="Kulungu" />
+=== Gap of skills  ===
+Missions in the Congo have always emphasized teaching and learning the Gospel. This was often done through chapel-schools where orphans were taken in and taught agriculture, broad education, and the Gospel. An extension of these chapel-schools became the biblical institutes for teaching the next generation of theologians. <ref name="asah" />Although this emphasized growth resulted in much growth in the CEFMZ it also resulted in a gap of skills. <ref name="Lumeya" /> Many youth were becoming pastors and then the rest were mainly unemployed and in the church. A new emphasis must be made on getting youth to schools to learn other trades not just scripture. Teachers, doctors, mechanics, and other various professions must be taught so that the members of the church can stabilize and support the church. As Kulungu put it, a diversity of knowledge is crucial to a healthy church. <ref name="Kulungu" />
+== Future of Communauté des Eglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo  ==
+When asking someone native to the Congo about the future there is some hesitation in their response. This is due to the fact that in Africa it is uncommon to think let alone worry about the future. This is not attributed to ignorance but rather African society. In light of this fact, the future for the Communauté des Eglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo (CEFMC) is both optimistic and troubling. There is no doubt in the minds of the CEFMC that its church will continue to grow. The question is how quickly. Will the church double in five years? Ten years? Fifty years? However, financially, the future of the church does not look any different. The physical finances of the church are all dependent on the government so most likely it will have similar problems. <ref name="Kulungu" />
+== Key Individuals in the Communauté des Eglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo  ==
+*'''Damien Pelende Tshinyama''' is the president of Eglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo <ref name="WD2006" />
+*'''Pascal Kulungu''' is Mennonite Central Committee's contact person with CEFMC
+*'''Gilbert Ndunda''' was the presiding officer in 2003
+*'''Ngelego''' was the Secretary General in 2003
+*'''Dr. Pakisa Tshimika''' was the Director of Health and Development in 1995 and is currently MWC Global Church Advocate <ref name="MWC">"Staff &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; Offices." Mennonite World Conference. http://www.mwc-cmm.org/en15/index.php?option=com_content&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;view=article&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;id=10&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;Itemid=13&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lang=en (accessed 18 April 2011).</ref>
+== Electronic Resources  ==
+== Citations  ==
+<references />
+== Acknowledgments  ==
+Aaron Shelly compiled much of the information presented here in a student research paper for a spring 2011 Anabaptist Mennonite History Class at [[Goshen College]].
+[[Category:Congo,_Democratic_Republic_Sources]]
+[[Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo]]

Communauté des Eglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo
Location	Democratic Republic of Congo^[1]
Date established	1943^[1]
Presiding officer	Damien Pelende Tshinyama, Pres^[1]
Church members	95,208^[1]
Number of Congregations	582^[1]