Congo Week

Theme: “Lift Every Voice”

Congo Week is October 19-24, 2025 and is a time to shine a light on the ongoing impact of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and to rally support for its people. As members of the Body of Christ, we join in solidarity with our siblings in the DRC who continue to face injustice, exploitation, and environmental harm. Together, we commit to breaking the silence, promoting justice, defending the vulnerable, caring for creation, and standing alongside the Congolese people.

This year’s theme, “Lift Every Voice,” reminds us that advocacy is a collective act — each voice raised can help bring peace, justice, and hope.

Congo Week is also a celebration of the DRC’s vibrant culture, abundant natural resources, and resilient communities. We honor our partners in Congo who courageously work for peace and justice every day. Throughout the week, we will share advocacy tools, educational resources, and ways you can get involved on our website, social media, and email updates.

Global Ministries Partners from the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Our Partners
The Community of Disciples of Christ in Congo (CDCC) runs schools, hospitals, and nutrition centers that provide healthcare and education while responding to local humanitarian needs. Their Vocational Training Centre in Bolenge offers young people opportunities in sewing, masonry, carpentry, and aesthetics, helping those often rejected by their communities gain meaningful skills.

The Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) supports communities through job training and capacity-building programs, particularly for women and war-displaced individuals in eastern DRC. ECC also collaborates with the Catholic Church’s Conférence Épiscopale Nationale du Congo (CENCO) through the Social Pact for Sustainable Peace and Good Living Together, promoting justice, peace, human dignity, and development while working to end ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.

The Disciples of Christ Church of the Congo, Brazzaville (EDCC of the Republic of Congo) combats extreme poverty and hunger in the Republic of Congo by promoting food security and sustainable agriculture. EDCC empowers individuals and families through skills and entrepreneurial training, while its “Kits of Heart” project provides school supplies to disadvantaged students. The church also trains leaders in project management and promotes gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

The Congo Protestant University in Kinshasa, founded through the efforts of Protestant missions and the Eglise du Christ au Congo (ECC), is a leading church-related institution offering programs in Business, Law, Theology, and Medicine. With more than 7,800 students enrolled, the university provides a Christian environment open to all nationalities and faiths, preparing graduates to serve their communities and the wider African church with knowledge, leadership, and faith.

Sunday, October 19 – Day of Prayer

Day of Prayer
Join the global prayer campaign for Congo Week and begin with a focus on Worship Liturgy and Prayers to center your congregation in prayer. Reflect with prayers, use the “Journey to Congo” children’s resource, and sermon, Worship Resource 2025 Guide, sing suggested songs like “Total Praise” – Richard Smallwood” and “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” (Pan-African anthem) and a traditional Congolese hymn performed by the CDCC Choir, and “Lord, Here I Am.” and use the Litany for Congregational Prayer to pray together. The Daily Prayer Guide, Prayer Flyer for Bulletin, Congo Day of Prayer, offers scripture, a reflection, and action prompts — perfect for starting meaningful conversations and faithful action. Rev. Noel Regis Matipa, La Communion Mondiale, calls us into a unity that mirrors the Trinity, expressed through prayer, sharing, hospitality, and collaboration as signs of God’s love. Rev. Lucien Kobele, Communion reminds us that from creation to Christ, God’s plan has always been reconciliation and unity. During Congo Week, we affirm that the body of Christ is complete only when every voice is lifted and every member is included.

Faithful Actions
This Monday, weave Congo into your congregation’s worship by including it in prayers and liturgy. “Light Candles” as a sign of hope, share a final commissioning prayer, and hand out “A Ribbon for Congo’s Children” or display photos and names of Congolese children as a reminder to keep them in your prayers throughout the week.

Monday, October 20 – Focus on History

Monday, October 20 – Focus on History
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the heart of Africa, home to 80 million people, bordered by nine countries, and roughly the size of Western Europe. With a majority under 18 years old and a history stretching back to the Ishango Bones (20,000 B.C.), Congo’s story includes colonization under King Leopold II and a continuing struggle for justice and self-determination. Explore this rich history and its link to the global economy through the “Historical Timeline Video: The Congo A Paradox of Wealth and Sorrow,” the Historical Timeline, Basic Facts on the Congo, and Ten reasons why Congo matters.

Faithful Action
Support Congo Week by organizing or joining a book drive that features books by Congolese authors or written from an African perspective. Sharing these stories helps amplify Congolese voices and deepens understanding of the country’s history, culture, and resilience.

To enrich this effort, you can also share a video featuring Rev. Dr. Bosela Eale from the Protestant University of Equator in Bolenge, an institution of our partner, the Community of Disciples of Christ in Congo (CDCC). In the video, Rev. Dr. Eale reflects on the challenges of accessing books and the importance of African authorship, addressing issues that are both contextual and relevant to their communities. The video was produced by Christian Book International Outreach—while the speakers acknowledge their donations, the most valuable sections emphasize the need for works written by Africans.

Tuesday, October 21 – Focus on the Environment

Tuesday, October 21 – Focus on the Environment
Today we turn our attention to the environment and its impact on families and food security. Learn from the article on Goma’s 2025 humanitarian and economic crisis, hear stories from our Congolese partners, and dive deeper with Bible studies on water by Rick Lowery and Water by Water by Rev. Emanuel Boango. These resources invite reflection on the sacredness of creation and how environmental justice is connected to daily life in Congo.

Wednesday, October 22 – Focus on Technology

Wednesday, October 22 – Focus on Technology
Explore the “Cell-Out” Campaign and reflect on the human cost of our technology. Use the “Are My Hands Clean?” educational piece and participate in the Cell-Out Campaign to learn how Congo’s minerals power our phones, computers, and other devices — and what actions we can take to support ethical sourcing and justice for Congolese communities.

Faithful Action: Participate in the Cell Out Digital Fast
Join the Cell Out, a cell phone and electronics boycott held from Noon – 1 pm on Wednesday of Congo Week. This digital fast raises awareness about the violence caused by mineral mining in the Congo. Rare minerals, such as coltan, are used in our devices, and the international sale of these minerals can finance the ongoing conflict in the region.

How to Participate:

• Turn off your cell phone and electronic devices from 12:00 – 1:00 pm.
• Share your participation on social media to spread awareness.

Suggested Voicemail or Social Media Message:

“Today from noon – 1:00 pm is the Congo Week Cell Out. I am turning off my cell phone/electronic devices and sharing this message to call attention to the violent conflict over the Congo’s valuable natural resources. Rare minerals like coltan are used in electronic devices, and the international sale of these minerals can finance the continuing conflict in the region. To learn more and take action, visit: globalministries.org/congo_week.”

Learn More:
Explore the minerals mined in Congo and how your participation can make a difference here.

Thursday, October 23 – Lift Every Voice for A World without Rape and Violence

Thursday, October 23 – Focus on “The Wages of War”
Today we confront atrocities, violence, and the use of rape as a weapon of war in Congo. Reflect through the Congolese Partner Bible video with Rev. Clement Y’onganga Mputa Disciples of Christ in Congo and Dr. Rick Lowery’s Bible study from the Congo Initative, and the Bible study on militarization and rape as a weapon by Rev. Emanuel Boango, use the Congo Initiative study guide to further understand rape as a weapon of war and bring this learning into your context on this issue, and engage your community using Thursdays in Black Zoom backgrounds and the Social Media Toolkit to raise awareness and stand in solidarity with survivors.

Faithful Actions
Join the “Thursdays in Black” campaign by wearing BLACK to stand in solidarity with survivors of violence. Take action by “writing letters to congressional representatives” to urge support for peace and justice in Congo, respond to the action alert, “Our Comfort is Killing God’s Children.” Lastly watch this two part session on Breaking the Chains of gender & sexual based violence!

Friday, October 24 – Lift Every Voice for Migrant Justice

Friday, October 24 – Focus on Immigration
On the final day of Congo Week, we turn our attention to faithful actions for mission and advocacy related to immigration. Learn from the ECC Women’s Department Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) in North Kivu video, explore Disciples Home Missions immigration materials, to deepen your understanding and inspire compassionate action.

Faithful Actions
Take action on behalf of refugees and immigrants by advocating for policies that help end violence and support safe resettlement. Learn from Congolese Disciples about their work with Week of Compassion on refugee resettlement and how recent U.S. policies have impacted this vital ministry.

The Gift of Giving

More Information

Other Connections to Consider
Explore the 2024 Congo Week resources on how technology intersects with conflict in the DRC. Consider optional add-ons for your community, such as Zoom prayer nights, panel discussions, or inviting a Congolese diaspora speaker, to deepen engagement and connection throughout Congo Week.

For contact information on how to invite a Congolese speaker to an event contact:
Kahala Cannon Global Relations Minister, Africa
kcannon@dom.disciples.org
317-713-2577
PO Box 1986
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206