Investing in Congolese young people

Please give through the Congo Church Association by going to the CCA giving page. To make sure the Diocese of Goma gets the gift, in the details / reference box please mark your gift ‘Goma youth.’ 

This August 500 young people will descend on Goma for a 3-day diocesan youth conference and celebration. 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.

This year’s theme is ‘blessed are the peacemakers.’ 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.

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. Please give through the Congo Church Association by going to the CCA giving page. To make sure the Diocese of Goma gets the gift, in the details / reference box please mark your gift ‘Goma youth.’ 

Building churches

In general, the area where outside support can make the most impact is in building churches. Our church-building strategy is to renovate old churches and plant new ones. This is part of our evangelism focus over the next 5 years. We also aim to provide for a number active churches in the diocese which don’t yet have functional roofs. The approach in the diocese is to encourage the local believers to lay the foundations and the floor, and build the walls, and spruce the furniture. The Diocese then helps them with the roof. A church roof costs between £500 - £1200.

The Congo Church Association has agreed that we can give through them for the specific projects, meaning we can reclaim the Gift Aid. To give, please go to the CCA giving page. To make sure the Diocese of Goma gets the gift, in the details / reference box please mark your gift ‘Goma training and building fund.’ 

Please get in touch if

• You or your church would like more information

• You would like to give by cheque