Congo Peace Updates

We are saddened to learn of continued attacks on the villagers of Minembwe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).  Many have died and have been injured.  People are fearful and fleeing their homes.  Families have been separated. Over 200 villagers from many tribes have been taking refuge in the New Hope Reconciliation Center (NHRC) Community Center.  Villagers are gathering together there in hopes of finding security and protection during this conflict.  We are thankful the Community Center, built by the generous donations of so many of you, is seen as a safe communal place of refuge.

Please pray for their safety and protection, as well as those who are harboring elsewhere.

 Minembwe is a rural community in the South Kivu region in the highlands of Congo, where Congo Peace has been supporting the work of our Congolese partners NHRC – a Christian multi-tribal team that teaches the reconciliation of the Gospel, offers humanitarian relief when able, and creates vocational training opportunities to build a sustainable future.

The situation in DRC is very complex with a long, complicated history.  Congo Peace focuses on peacemaking and takes a multi-tribal approach where all tribes live, work, play and learn together.  We look to a future where people will thrive in an environment of hope and peace through Christ’s reconciling love. 

We ask that you join us in praying for the victims of violence and asking God to cover the people with His gracious protection during this difficult time. 

 Thank you for your partnership in this important work of the Kingdom.  

 Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9

Dear Friends,

Our Congolese partners at New Hope Reconciliation Center (NHRC) are so thankful for your generosity that they have created a special video message to express their gratitude to you directly. Take a look as they show the newly-completed New Hope Academy* opening in January 2025 to our inaugural class of students!

Read more …

***UPDATE***

>>> TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE  <<<

Save the date!!!  We are excited to anounce that Spirit of Congo 2024 is officially on the books for Saturday, October 12, 2024 from 6:00-8:30 pm at the Bellevue College in Bellevue, Washington. 

Mark your calendars now and we'll let you know when tickets go on sale in July. 

You won't want to miss another fun evening of dinner, African praise, music and an inspiring presentation. Help us support Congo Peace’s mission to promote, support, and commit to a permanent reconciliation in the South Kivu of East Congo. 

We are so close! And yet we still have much to do in the South Kivu region of Congo! With your support and contributions (over $120,000 last year), our Congolese partners at New Hope Reconciliation Center (NHRC) have begun construction on the New Hope Academy in the regional capital of Bukavu. The first story is substantially complete; we plan to open the doors this fall! This school will enable young men and women from hostile tribes to live together in a Christian environment while gaining entrepreneurial and vocational skills. They will be equipped to build exemplary livelihoods, fostering a new generation of peacemakers in East DRC. God is at work!  

But a school is more than just a building!  NHRC still needs to purchase desks, chairs, materials, curriculum, and equipment for vocational training such as sewing machines, computers, and furnishings for the dormitory facilities. They also must hire teachers and staff to support the students. To accomplish this Congo Peace needs roughly $41,000. Your support is needed more than ever to make this school a reality.  

In addition to building and equipping New Hope Academy, NHRC continues its vital work bringing the reconciling message of Jesus to the South Kivu area through weekly radio broadcasts, visits to villages and churches, and support of local agricultural co-ops.

NHRC’s Children’s Assistance program has placed 40 children, orphaned by tribal violence, with local families.  Your support provides those families with food, school supplies, celebrations, and spiritual support and supports 10 children awaiting placement with families. These children receive love and provision at the NHRC in Minembwe (built with your support several years ago) until families can be identified for them. 

12-year old Ajabu from the Babembe tribe reports, “I have new friends from other tribes-Bafuliru, Banyindu, and Banyamulenge-who are like brothers and sisters. I am performing well at school, and am dreaming to become a peacemaker when I will be an adult.” We hope to grow New Hope Academy so that Ajabu and his friends may come live and learn together in peace! 

We – Congo Peace’s all volunteer staff and NHRC- are grateful for the faithful support of our donors!  But we are still running with perseverance the race marked out for us!

 Please pray and donate today to continue this vital reconciliation work and expand the vocational training to the young people from multiple, warring tribes. Through education, they can establish common ground and return to their homelands with skills and new opportunities for sustainable livelihoods to help break the cycle of poverty and violence.  

Dear Friends of Congo Peace,

Thank you for helping to make Spirit of Congo a success. We are grateful to all of you for your support!

We hope you enjoyed learning about how much has been accomplished in the South Kivu area and how Congo Peace is supporting ongoing reconciliation work. But there is still much work to do! The people of the Congo need your prayers, advocacy, and volunteer skills, as well as your donations.

Read more …

*** Click here to download the Spirit of Congo Table Host Guide***

* * * Click here to download KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - SPIRIT OF CONGO Info * * * 

We will add events to this page as they are scheduled. Please check back often!

FEATURED EVENT:

Winter/Spring 2024

• Spring Donation Appeal - help us open New Hope Academy! learn more

Summer 2024

• Stay tuned to see what we're cooking up!

Fall/Winter 2024

• Spirit of Congo Annual Fundraiser Dinner:  October 12, 2024, tickets available www.congopeace.eventbrite.com 
• Mission Fest 2024:  TBD
• Giving Tuesday - National Day of Giving:  Dec 3rd  

Have you ever wondered how to shape a generation of peacemakers who have grown up in the heart of a hate-filled war zone? Congo Peace believes that with God's help, generations of tribal animosity can be healed and that hostile groups can move from a divided past to a shared future of stability and peace.

Inspired by the moving and often tragic life stories of many refugees in their New Hope community, Bellevue Presbyterian Church (BelPres) in Bellevue, WA, has committed to work for reconciliation in Minembwe, East Congo. Over the last few years, the BelPres community has faithfully provided for emergency life-saving aid, supported reconciliation seminars to bring healing to warring tribes, and offered opportunities for vocational and entrepreneurial training. Through these efforts, many critical needs have been met and inspired many diverse communities, but we have observed that the root problem –the source of so much tribal animosity in this region– is broken spirits and poverty.

Read more …

Learn Together. Live Together.

A vocational training center and boarding school rises on recently purchased property near Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), thanks to our generous donors. It will be a place where young men and women from all tribes can learn together while they live together, eventually working together on common goals and entrepreneurial enterprises.

The mission of Congo Peace, formerly New Hope Congo, is to break the vicious cycle of poverty and violence by fostering economic opportunity and stability, guided by Christ’s reconciling love, in addition to providing emergency relief when needed.

Read more …