Investing in Congolese young people

Can you invest in Congolese young people in the Diocese of Goma?

This August 500 young people will descend on Goma for a 3-day diocesan youth conference and celebration. Some will travel 2 days by motorbike, along dangerous roads. Others will save up for weeks just to be able to afford their transport. They will bring with them rice, beans, flour and potatoes. In Goma we will add fish and meat. They will sleep two to a mattress (if they are lucky) on church and school floors.

It is the largest event we organise as a diocese, and a huge opportunity for us. It last happened in 2019. As well as young people (classed as 18-40 in Congo) most of our pastors and evangelists attend, as well as many from other churches. It is a chance for us to invest in and encourage future leaders – not just of the church, but in education, business, media, politics, health etc.

Participants bring food, the youth department contributes with the money they earn over the year from renting out a motorbike, the diocese adds a contribution, but we rely on outside support for the event’s success.

Over the 3-day event, there is a lot of music, dancing, eating, teaching and worship. There are always many possibilities to hear the Gospel clearly preached as many who have grown up in the churches (DRC is 94% Christian) will not have a personal faith in Jesus. There are always a good number of seminars on relationships – some more helpful than others!

And there is always a theme. This year’s theme is ‘blessed are the peacemakers.’ With our province of North Kivu and Ituri to the north being under military rule since May last year, with the resurgence of the M23 rebels slightly too close to Goma for comfort, with the presidential elections (and the election for the bishop of Goma) coming up in 2023, with the rise in tribal conflict and hate-speech in the region – peace-building has to be top of the church’s agenda.

Over the 3 days we will teach on peace, forgiveness and reconciliation – peace with God and with yourself, and then peace with others and with creation. We will focus on the idea that you can only become a peace-maker if you yourself are at peace.

Please pray for the event, but also consider supporting us financially

Congo in the news

Patrice Lumumba: Why Belgium is returning a Congolese hero’s golden tooth. (BBC)

The next hole in UK’s Rwanda asylum plan: Conflict in Congo (Politico)

UN envoy warns Congo's M23 rebels are acting like an army (Washington Post)

Rwandans in DR Congo living in fear as anger grows over rebel attacks (The East African, Kenya)

Tuko na vuna (You Tube music video by a Goma singer)

Please pray for

• The success of the diocesan youth event in August

• A diplomatic solution to peace in eastern Congo

• For church leaders to speak out prophetically for peace and against the rise in hate speech

From Martin, Anthea, Silas, Zachary and Imogen