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Global Ministries, a partnership between the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ, will focus attention on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo during its annual Congo Week from October 19 to 24. The event aims to bring awareness to issues facing Congolese communities, such as violence, displacement, and resource exploitation.
The Rev. Shari Prestemon, Associate General Minister & Co-Executive of Global Ministries, said, “Global Ministries has long-time partners in Congo and are grateful for this opportunity to lift them up in our congregations.” Among these partners are the Community of Disciples of Christ in Congo (CDCC), the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC), the Disciples of Christ Church of the Congo, and the Congo Protestant University in Kinshasa.
This year’s theme is “Lift Every Voice,” which emphasizes collective advocacy for justice and peace. Activities begin with worship services on October 19 and continue throughout the week with daily focuses on specific challenges faced by Congolese people, including violence against women and environmental issues. Each day ends with a suggested action; for example, participants are encouraged to avoid using electronics on October 22 to highlight how mineral extraction in Congo affects local communities.
Prestemon noted, “We stand in solidarity with our partners as they endure a deepening humanitarian crisis, and we also celebrate the wisdom and gifts they offer to us in the global church.”
Dr. Kahala Cannon, Global Relations Minister for Africa at Global Ministries, explained that while Congo is rich in natural resources used globally—such as minerals needed for cell phones and computers—the population continues to face hardship due to conflict and exploitation. She stated: “For more than three decades war in the eastern regions has raged and the exploitation of natural resources — the minerals that power our everyday lives from cell phones to computers — have impoverished many communities.”
According to Dr. Cannon, there are currently an estimated 6.7 million internally displaced people within Congo and over one million refugees or asylum seekers living outside its borders.
“Congo Week is a time to raise awareness about this ongoing crisis, to reflect on the historical injustices that continue to shape the present, and to stand in solidarity with our Congolese siblings,” said Cannon. She added that it is also an occasion “to celebrate ‘the resilience, culture, and heritage of the Congolese people’” as well as honor those working toward peace.
Dr. Cannon highlighted efforts like those led by faith groups: through initiatives such as Social Pact for Sustainable Peace and Good Living Together—which involves collaboration between ECC and CENCO (the Catholic Church’s Conférence Épiscopale Nationale du Congo)—local churches provide health care services, address food insecurity concerns, promote sustainable development practices, and develop responses related to climate change impacts.
She concluded: “By participating in Congo Week, congregations and our wider networks affirm how deeply our lives are interconnected with our Congolese siblings… Through learning, prayer, and advocacy we can ‘Lift Every Voice’…to live out our shared call to be peacemakers [and] advocates for ending the ongoing war that has devastated so many lives.”
More information about events scheduled during Congo Week can be found online.
