In December 2025, leaders from the U.S. Mennonite Brethren Eastern District became aware of sexual misconduct allegations involving Jules Mukaba, then pastor of Restoration Church in West Chester, Ohio. At the time, both Restoration Church and Mukaba were recipients of funding through CORD, USMB’s program to partner with and support immigrant churches.
Upon learning of the allegations, Eastern District leaders, in collaboration with members of the CORD team, initiated a response in accordance with the USMB Sexual Misconduct Resource Manual (2015). These guidelines directed efforts to support the congregation, provide care for Mukaba’s family and pursue appropriate steps toward accountability, repentance and restoration.
As information came to light, the Eastern District Conference Board of Faith and Life and CORD Team revoked Mukaba’s pastoral license and removed him from his pastoral role. Shortly thereafter, Mukaba left the country. All subsequent attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful.
Congregation relaunches under new name, new leadership
To provide stability and continuity for the congregation, Michael Tenga was appointed to serve as pastor. Tenga, a deacon at Restoration Church and a recent graduate of The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI), is currently in the process of obtaining pastoral licensure. Prior to relocating to the United States in 2015, Tenga served as both a deacon and elder in the Congo. Since moving to the U.S., he has provided leadership under two pastors and has remained actively engaged in church ministry.
In consultation with district leadership, Restoration Church formally closed at the end of 2025. The congregation relaunched in February 2026 under a new name, Evangelical Mission Church Redeemer. A task force, consisting of Hermann Mputu, Henri Ngolo, Clyde Ferguson and Terry Hunt, has overseen the transition of leadership and church relaunch. This group continues to walk alongside Tenga and the congregation, offering pastoral care, organizational support and assistance with bookkeeping and financial oversight.
Efforts to engage and support Mukaba’s family were met with resistance. District leaders later learned that Mukaba’s wife was arrested on related charges, including child endangerment.
Eastern District and CORD leaders express deep grief over the circumstances surrounding these events. At the same time, they affirm gratitude for Tenga’s leadership and for the evidence of God’s work within the congregation throughout this painful season. The CORD team requests continued prayer for the abuse victim and for Evangelical Mission Church Redeemer as the congregation seeks healing, stability and renewed ministry moving forward.
If you have experienced or are aware of sexual misconduct, please report it immediately to local law enforcement and to your church leadership or district minister.
