Serving amid conflict and need: stories of church members in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Elvis Mwimba of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), reflects on Acts 2 and the call to unity in diversity as expressed through the work of the church. In the midst of cultural, religious, and social challenges, he shares how Community of Christ in the DRC seeks to embody peace, justice, and Christ-centered community. This reflection was shared on Beyond the Walls on April 26.

I am one of the many people who gathered in the Philippines to develop resources for the life of the Church based on the central chapter of Acts 2, which presents us with a powerful image of the early Church. People from different nations, languages, and cultures come together in Jerusalem. This reminds us of a fundamental truth: unity does not mean uniformity. God does not eliminate diversity, but uses it to build a community founded on love, justice, and peace.

It is in light of this passage that we reflect today on the mission of the Church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where I live, in the face of numerous cultural, religious, and social challenges. The DRC is a country rich in cultures, languages, traditions, and mineral resources. This diversity is a blessing. However, in reality, it often becomes a source of division. Instead of love, we see tribalism, which pits brother against brother; the rejection of others because of their origin, language, or religion; and the loss of a sense of community.

In contrast to the spirit of Acts 2, where everything was shared, our society is marked by selfishness, mistrust, and sometimes hatred. The Church is called to be a prophetic model, showing that another way of living together is possible in Christ.

In certain regions in particular, the country is deeply affected by armed conflict, population displacement, trauma, poverty, and injustice. War destroys not only bodies, but also relationships, hope, and human dignity.

Faced with this reality, the Church affirms an essential Enduring Principle: The Pursuit of Peace (Shalom). Here is how our Church puts this enduring principle into practice in our country.

In response to a number of epidemics that had struck several regions of the country in recent years, the Church allocated funds for medicines and other healthcare supplies, as well as providing free access to care for the needy through the provincial government. There is a midwifery program called WA SAIDIZI that was established by the Church, where women have been trained in this profession to assist with childbirth and reduce the associated mortality rate in villages.

The DRC is a deeply religious country. However, we see conflicts between Christian denominations, tensions between religions, and the use of religion to manipulate or divide. Yet the Church’s mission is not to dominate, but to serve; not to build on religious competition, but on the living witness of the love of Jesus Christ.

The Church affirms that every human being, regardless of faith or background, is loved by God.

Tribalism is one of the deepest challenges in the DRC. It sometimes even permeates the Church. Yet Acts 2 shows us a Church where the primary identity is no longer tribal, but Christ-centered. Unity in diversity is at the heart of the Church’s mission.

This means welcoming all cultures into the Church; rejecting all forms of discrimination; and building a community where belonging to Christ is stronger than ethnic identity.

Admittedly, in the face of these challenges, the Church’s influence is not yet strong or very noticeable, but we are working hard in every region where the Church is present, living out our identity through small actions that make a difference and impact the surrounding society, to offer a space for healing, a prophetic voice against injustice, and a reflection of the Kingdom of God within Congolese society.

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