Congolese pastors and leaders from across the U.S. met March 5-7 in Hillsboro, Kansas, for a time of teaching, discussion and building connection.
Hosted by MB Foundation in its Ministry Space, 21 leaders gathered, representing U.S. Mennonite Brethren churches from California, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas and throughout the Midwest.
Emmanuel Musinga, lead pastor of Grace Tabernacle Ministries in Indianapolis, Indiana, says he was very excited to attend the event.
“I love the passion the Mennonite Brethren have for the Congolese community,” Musinga says. “I love the material and the opinion Mennonite Brethren have for church planting. I love how the leaders are passionate for immigrants. I love it.”
Realities, challenges of Congolese congregations
Aaron Box, USMB national director, says the event allowed leaders from Congolese congregations to connect with other USMB churches to share their challenges and needs.
“A lot of the conversation was about what it looks like to have a partnership—peer to peer,” Box says.
Musinga says he values the strategy and effort USMB is putting in to reach more Congolese communities and hopes future events can be planned in a central location where more people can attend. With many Congolese pastors in bi-vocational roles, taking off work and flying to attend an event is a challenge, Musinga notes.
Language is another challenge Congolese church leaders face. Many first-generation immigrants desire to keep church services in their home language while a growing number of second-generation immigrants are looking to have services conducted in English.
Grace Tabernacle Ministries provides bilingual services, especially for the children in their community.
“The children—they are American,” Musinga says. “They speak English and eat macaroni and cheese.”
As a result, Musinga says the church has translators to help balance the needs of the congregation.
Box explains that this is a challenge many churches with large immigrant populations experience. He says his hope is that the Congolese congregations can partner with other churches from other cultures to navigate these decisions and learn from each other.
Building bridges
Brian Harris, Southern District minister, and Daniel Rodriguez, Central District minister, helped to plan the event alongside MB Foundation. In addition to several Congolese pastors and leaders, all USMB district ministers attended the event.
In a report after the event, Harris states that having district ministers connect with the Congolese church leaders is a good step in deepening partnerships. However, district ministers should act like conduits to connect Congolese congregations with other USMB churches. Harris shares that connecting local churches of all backgrounds would be a next step forward to strengthening community.
“I think the goal of building a stronger bridge was important—I believe this summit did that,” Harris says.
While limited time was spent talking about “business,” Rodriguez shares in an email after the event that the gathering provided an opportunity for leaders to gather around Scripture and pray for how God would lead in the next steps in his mission.
“I am encouraged by the conversations that are happening, and I am praying that we can seek ways to work better together with our ethnic churches,” Rodriguez says.
When asked about his experience, Jon Wiebe, president and CEO of MB Foundation, says the meeting was an opportunity for inspiration.
“Beyond the natural benefit of renewing and building relationships, I was inspired by the fervor and dedication of our African brothers and sisters,” Wiebe says via email. “Their spontaneous worship, ardent prayers and deep sacrifices for the sake of the gospel are an example all of us should follow.”
Lacey joined the Christian Leader staff as editor in July 2025. She has more than two decades of experience in editorial writing and strategic communications, creating and editing content for newspaper, magazines, websites and email campaigns. Lacey, her husband and their two girls live in Wichita, Kansas, and attend Ridgepoint Church.
