The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the largest, most populous countries of sub-saharan Africa. Covered for the most part by dense equatorial and tropical forest it is home to some 52 million people. Rich in natural resources, it has been systematically exploited first by colonial rule then by its own African leaders.

It's people are among the poorest in the world. 96% of the population claim to be Christian. In reality, for the vast majority, this is only a nominal faith. 42% identify as Roman Catholics and 36% as Protestants. In addition there are independent African churches and a proliferation of cults. Animistic belief underlies much of the "Christian" veneer.

First WEC Field 

WEC Entry Congo was WEC's first field. C.T. Studd and Alfred Buxton began the work in 1913. From an unevangelised population a church of 250,000 people has been established. It is by far the largest WEC related church in the world.

The Church (CECCA)

The church is large and active in evangelism. There are serious weaknesses, however, and church leadership continues to request missionary support to help bring the church to maturity.

Leadership Training

The WEC team is concentrating on the strategic need to train leadership. The mushrooming church population can only be discipled and formed into a strong church if it has godly leadership, well taught in the Scriptures. Bible schools, especially the key French language institute based in Isiro, have been a focus of attention. Leadership training is also given in seminars for church leaders and Sunday School teachers.

In the medical work the focus is on training national doctors and nurses. The church operates a school system. The secondary school at Ibambi, which in fact is a teachers' college, is a strategic centre for reaching educated youth and training the next generation of church leaders. Most current top CECCA leaders studied at the Ibambi institute and received their basic Bible knowledge at this school.

New Ventures

Despite the fact that the church has been in existence for over 80 years there remain some unreached groups in the CECCA area. In particular there is the minority Pygmy population and a people of another major faith. Pygmies are responding in a number of places in large numbers but because it is cross cultural evangelism the church is in need of people trained in missiology to help them communicate the gospel in ways the Pygmy people can understand. It appears the people of the other faith are unlikely to be reached unless an experienced missionary is able to act as a catalyst and trainer.

Amazingly for a country where half the population is 15 years and under there is no real youth work. Initial efforts have been made but the church needs help to develop programs to reach and disciple young people. The pandemic of AIDS is beginning to take hold in Congo. This represents a challenge to respond with ministries which will make a difference to the lives of young and old Congolese.

The church is also asking for help from WEC to provide expertise in projects which will bring about economic development. The grinding poverty of church members puts brakes on most areas of development of church life.