{"id":109693,"date":"2025-02-04T22:05:58","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T22:05:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/?p=109693"},"modified":"2026-01-23T19:02:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T19:02:37","slug":"pastoral-letter-anabaptists-drcongo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/pastoral-letter-anabaptists-drcongo\/","title":{"rendered":"A pastoral letter for Anabaptists in DR Congo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Beloved sisters and brothers<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong><a href=\"#Update22Feb\">**Jump to 22 February update **<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>**Jump to Online Prayer Hour video from March 2025**<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-transform:none\"><em>\u201cRejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.\u201d<br><\/em>\u2014Romans 12:15<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We received a request for prayer from our leaders in DR Congo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pastor Jean-Pierre Muya, president of MWC member church Communaut\u00e9 Mennonite de Congo (CMCo), writes: \u201cThis is a difficult time in our country. Please continue to pray for the restoration of peace and for the injured.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We recognize how the resource-rich eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced ongoing violence and conflict for years, exacerbated by natural disasters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And we hear how, in late January, the M23 army escalated fighting and seized Congolese territory in the Great Lakes region, including the city of Goma, and are threatening to march on the capital Kinshasa in the west. More than 700 people have been killed and 3&nbsp;000 wounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We are concerned for the hundreds of thousands of people who have been internally displaced. Food and water, medicines and electricity are in short supply and prices are high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pastor Kimbila Antoine, president of MWC member church Conf\u00e9rence des \u00c9glises des Fr\u00e9res Mennonites au Congo (CEFMC) writes that the church has six congregations in Goma out of its 34 congregations in the East region, with a membership of more than 4&nbsp;000. \u201cThe Mennonite brothers and sisters in our churches have been crying out every day since the hostilities began,\u201d he writes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We pray for wisdom, resources and clear pathways as the church devises strategies to assist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGod remains our only hope, for he is able to give us peace through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace,\u201d writes Jean Felix Cimbalanga, president of MWC member church Communaut\u00e9 Evang\u00e9lique Mennonite (CEM).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThank you very much for your prayers on our behalf,\u201d writes pastor Kimbila Antoine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We cry out with our brothers and sisters for God\u2019s mercy on DR Congo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>We pray for peace: for not only a stop to violence for also for the conditions of <em>shalom<\/em> where neighbours are reconciled to neighbours and all can flourish.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We call on our communities to seek justice for DR Congo and to engage our political systems in so doing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.<br>In the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace, amen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/general-council\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"480\" data-src=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Henk-Stenvers-1-Small.png\" alt=\"Henk Stenvers\" class=\"wp-image-108562 lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 480px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 480\/480;width:200px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Henk-Stenvers-1-Small.png 480w, https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Henk-Stenvers-1-Small-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Henk-Stenvers-1-Small-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Henk-Stenvers-1-Small-400x400.png 400w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p><em>Henk Stenvers, <\/em><br><em>president, <\/em><br><em>Mennonite World Conference<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" data-src=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Siaka-Traore-1.png\" alt=\"headshot of Siaka Traor\u00e9\" class=\"wp-image-109701 lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/600;width:200px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Siaka-Traore-1.png 600w, https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Siaka-Traore-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Siaka-Traore-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Siaka-Traore-1-400x400.png 400w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p><em>Siaka Traor\u00e9<br>regional representative<br>Mennonite World Conference<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Update22Feb\">Update: 22 February 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Please continue to pray for DR Congo and send words of solidarity to the Anabaptist brothers and sisters there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The situation in DRC continues to worsen. The Rwanda-based M23 army has taken more territory in the East, raising concerns of escalation into a regional war. The UN estimates more than 50&nbsp;000 refugees have crossed into neighbouring countries fleeing the humanitarian crisis. There are reports of grave human rights violations including sexual violence and civilian massacre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We received a report from a Mennonite Brethren (CEFMC) pastor who fled for his safety. His church building was appropriated by DRC government troops, then taken by the M23 forces with accusations of partisanship. His family has been separated; communication is difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mennonites are providing support in his new location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leaders of MWC member church Kanisa la Menonite Tanzania write this encouragement (read full letter in the comments box in English only): <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><em>\u201cAs members of Christ\u2019s body, we reaffirm our commitment to stand with you in prayer, solidarity and action. The church is called to be a refuge for the weary, a shelter for the displaced and a voice for the voiceless.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><em>\u201cWe urge leaders, nations, and all people of goodwill to pursue peace, reconciliation and justice\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><em>\u201cWe call upon the global community to provide humanitarian aid, protection and pathways for peace.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><em>\u201c\u2026 Comfort the grieving, protect the vulnerable, and uphold the dignity of every human being. Your faith, courage, and resilience testify to the power of God\u2019s love, which no war can destroy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leaders of MWC member church Meserete Kristos Church write (more in comments box):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><em>\u201cThe love of Christ compels us to be peacemakers, to extend grace, and to work for justice with humility and faith. In the midst of trials, may you find strength in his promises (Isaiah&nbsp;40:31).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><em>\u201cKnow that you are not alone. We are lifting you up in prayer, asking the Lord to strengthen and sustain you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pray for good working relations and clear pathways as global Mennonites plan inter-agency responses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We invite you \u2013 as individuals, congregations or national churches \u2013 to respond to the cries of our brothers and sisters with prayers, messages of solidarity that will be conveyed to church leaders. We call for the courage to love through actions that advocate for an end to violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Donations can be made to the Global Church Sharing Fund with a designation for the church in Congo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/global-church-sharing-fund\/\">Global Church Sharing Fund<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-mennonite-world-conference wp-block-embed-mennonite-world-conference\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"ZlzYMROMmE\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/collaborative-response-drc-crisis\/\">Collaborative Anabaptist response to DRC crisis<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content lazyload\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Collaborative Anabaptist response to DRC crisis&#8221; &#8212; Mennonite World Conference\" data-src=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/collaborative-response-drc-crisis\/embed\/#?secret=uqiAc4wFi0#?secret=ZlzYMROMmE\" data-secret=\"ZlzYMROMmE\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-flickr wp-block-embed-flickr wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div style=\"top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;\">\t\t\t\t<iframe title=\"OPH March 2025 EN FR\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;\"  data-src=\"https:\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/photos\/54401010383\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\" allowfullscreen src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-eyebrow is-style-green-eyebrow\">Urgent prayer &amp; pastoral letters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-124841 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-featured-items category-from-our-leaders category-urgent-prayers tag-cesar-garcia tag-ecumenism tag-pastoral-letter tag-peace tag-prayer\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-medium-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/joint-ecumenical-statement-on-the-widening-conflict-in-the-middle-east\/\" target=\"_self\" >Joint ecumenical statement on the widening conflict in the Middle East<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-124516 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-urgent-prayers tag-deacons-commission tag-prayer tag-regional-representatives tag-the-caribbean network-commissions network-deacons-commission eventcategory-online-prayer-hour\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-medium-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/urgent-prayer-cuba\/\" target=\"_self\" >Urgent prayer for Cuba<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-124066 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-featured-items category-urgent-prayers tag-asia-pacific tag-deacons-commission tag-peace-commission tag-prayer tag-urgent-prayer network-commissions network-deacons-commission network-peace-commission eventcategory-online-prayer-hour\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-medium-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/urgent-prayer-bombing-in-myanmar\/\" target=\"_self\" >Urgent prayer: bombing in Myanmar<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-122938 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-featured-items category-urgent-prayers tag-latin-america tag-pastoral-letter tag-peace tag-prayer tag-venezuela tag-war network-deacons-commission network-peace-commission eventcategory-online-prayer-hour\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-medium-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/pastoral-letter-venezuela\/\" target=\"_self\" >A pastoral letter regarding Anabaptists in Venezuela<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/resources\/pastoral-letters-urgent-prayer-appeals\/\">All letters<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:200\" class=\"taxonomy-post_tag has-link-color wp-elements-c156640d9bee56933ae7a5b97a71238b wp-block-post-terms has-text-color has-gray-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/tag\/deacons-commission\/\" rel=\"tag\">Deacons Commission<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/tag\/dr-congo\/\" rel=\"tag\">DR Congo<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/tag\/pastoral-letter\/\" rel=\"tag\">pastoral letter<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/tag\/prayer\/\" rel=\"tag\">prayer<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We received a request for prayer from our leaders in DR Congo.<\/p>\n<p>Pastor Jean-Pierre Muya, president of MWC member church Communaut\u00e9 Mennonite de Congo (CMCo), writes: \u201cThis is a difficult time in our country. Please continue to pray for the restoration of peace and for the injured.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":109721,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[294],"tags":[211,464,250,270],"network":[360,144],"eventcategory":[],"class_list":["post-109693","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-urgent-prayers","tag-deacons-commission","tag-dr-congo","tag-pastoral-letter","tag-prayer","network-commissions","network-deacons-commission"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A pastoral letter for Anabaptists in DR Congo - Mennonite World Conference<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We received a request for prayer from our leaders in DR Congo. We pray for wisdom, resources and clear pathways as the church devises strategies to assist Mennonites in DR Congo.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/pastoral-letter-anabaptists-drcongo\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A pastoral letter for Anabaptists in DR Congo - Mennonite World Conference\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"We received a request for prayer from our leaders in DR Congo. 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