Congregations in Partnership

This partnership between Global Ministries, the Christian Church in Indiana and the Disciples Community in the Mbandaka District, Democratic Republic of Congo is a partnership between people and congregations. I have begun to hear ways that our Indiana congregations are connecting to Mbandaka.

I am hearing about congregations that have viewed the DVD, "Partners in Mission" during worship, Sunday School, or Missions meetings.

I have heard of several sermons preached by pastors that have looked towards the Congo.

I participated in a creative stewardship dinner that looked at the hospitality and generosity of our Congolese partners as they considered their own giving within the congregation.

I know of many congregations that have had someone from the recent trip trip to Mbandaka to come to share about partnership and our partners.

How have you started to connect to your partnership with the Disciples of Mbandaka? I would love to hear.

Why is it ok?

I am overwhelmed by the reality that our Congolese brothers and sisters are suffering while outside nations and companies are getting wealthy. 80% of the world's Coltan, the mineral used to run our cell phones and laptops, comes out of the Congo ground. Diamonds, gold, and other natural resources are also being taken while the people are left to suffer. (Learn about the Cell Out on October 22nd.)

I cannot begin to imagine how more than six million people have died in a country in the past ten years, and it isn't mentioned in the media.

I am frightened at the prospect that the forests of the Congo are being chopped down at an alarming rate to benefit others. I wonder how much of the world's air that is?

We must say that it is not ok!

From Mission Work to Partnership

The Disciples have a rich history with the Democratic Republic of Congo. That country’s name calls up for many people a list of hundreds of missionaries who have worked and lived in the Congo. As early as 1898 the first missionaries were sent. Since that time there has been a steady flow of missionaries to work in this country to build the church, hospitals and schools. At its height, there were over 50 missionaries and their families working in the Congo.

When we first think about missions in the Congo, we think about these missionaries and our mission to this people and this place so very far away. What wonderful stories are shared. But an amazing thing happened. The missionaries worked to raise up leaders for the church, the hospitals and the schools. And those leaders have grown and developed and raised up new leaders. Today, the missionaries in the Congo are the Congolese themselves. Today, the church leaders in the Congo are the Congolese themselves. The church leaders in the Congo are remarkable and strong leaders who are seeking something new from our church. Partnership.

The beginning of a partnership

On May 18, 2008 a delegation of 6 people from the Indiana region and 3 people from the General Church journeyed from Indianapolis to the Democratic Republic of Congo. While there, a Partnership Agreement was signed that joined together Global Ministries (a common witness between the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ), the Christian Church in Indiana, and the Mbandaka District of the Community of the Discipes of Christ in the Congo in partnership.

As a member of this delegation, I was overwhelmed by the radical hospitality and welcome that we all received. It was an amazing experience. And now that this trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo is over, the journey begins. We ask ourselves many questions. We give thanks for this opportunity. And we pray.