INTRODUCTION TO THE COMMUNAUTE EVANGELIQUE DE L'UBANGI-MONGALA AND TO COVENANT WORLD MISSION IN CONGO
Covenant World Mission started work in the Ubangi-Mongala region of NW Congo (Zaire) in 1937. Over the years of our work a large and growing church, the Evangelical Community of the Ubangi-Mongala (CEUM), has been established. Today the CEUM carries on with many ministries to the population.
Continued war since 1996 has disrupted normal life and has caused much suffering. The Christian faith of many has grown and deepened as life has been seen as truly a gift from God in the midst of terrible loss. Regular times of prayer, fasting and praise are a part of the life of the church. Many difficulties remain. The medical arm of the church functions with reduced supplies, but people cannot afford even basic medical care. Development projects suffer because of poor economy and roads. Schools are barely functioning in many places. Conflict and suspicion can be close to the surface of daily life. At present relative calm exists in the church area which is held by rebel troops, but the rumors and memory of war remain.
The Church has chosen to be a light of hope in their own despairing country, as well as a witness of God's love in Christ to other areas inside and outside of Congo. See the following schema for the CEUM's Vision and Goals. Covenant missionaries are not yet able to live in Congo. Those living in Central African Republic meet regularly with CEUM leaders to plan for the future and to provide immediate aid as possible. Missionaries will make visits into Congo as the situation allows.