The Archbishop of the Anglican Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo met with the Relay Trust team in Oxford to share his vision for the future of the Church and discuss how leadership training can support its continued growth.
In early March we had the privilege of welcoming Archbishop Titre Ande to our offices in Oxford. Archbishop Ande serves as the Bishop of Aru Diocese and as the Primate of the Province de L’Eglise Anglicane Du Congo (PEAC).
The visit was an opportunity for the Relay Trust team to hear directly about the remarkable growth of the Church in the country and the Archbishop’s vision for the years ahead.
Today the Anglican Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo is around 250,000 people strong, but Archbishop Ande shared his vision to see the Church grow to 1,000,000 by 2030. Such growth would represent a remarkable expansion of the Church’s presence and influence across the country.
Unlike many parts of the Anglican world where theological training remains limited, the Church in Congo has already invested significantly in leadership formation. Across the province there are 14 Bible colleges (one in each diocese) which have been training leaders for many years. Students typically undertake three years of theological training before entering ministry. However, the formation of leaders in the province does not end at graduation. Those completing Bible college are first commissioned as catechists rather than being ordained immediately. Archbishop Ande explained that this approach allows future clergy to spend time learning how to serve and lead their congregations in practice. This emphasis reflects a commitment not only to theological education but also to spiritual and pastoral formation. Leaders are encouraged to develop the practical skills and experience needed to shepherd communities effectively before taking on the responsibilities of ordained ministry.
However rapid growth also brings new challenges. If the Church is indeed to quadruple in size over the coming years, the ability to train and support such a large number of new leaders will require new approaches. During the visit, discussions focused on how theological training might be scaled and strengthened in order to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding Church.
Another encouraging development shared during the meeting was the introduction of a province-wide catechism. Written by Bishop Martin of Goma and supported by Relay Trust, the catechism is now being rolled out across the entire province. For the next two years it will be taught from pulpits throughout the fourteen dioceses, helping to deepen theological understanding and strengthen the foundations of faith among church members.
Archbishop Ande also spoke about the wider realities facing the Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The country continues to experience significant challenges, particularly in the eastern regions where conflict remains ongoing. Despite these difficulties, the Anglican Church has continued to grow and organise itself more effectively as a province. The provincial centre has recently moved to Kinshasa, the national capital, where a new provincial office and leadership team are now serving the Church.
When asked how people could pray for the Church in Congo, the Archbishop highlighted several priorities.
· First, he asked for prayer for peace in the eastern part of the country, where many communities continue to live with insecurity and conflict.
· Second, he spoke about the need for evangelism and discipleship, both bringing new people into the Church and helping believers grow deeply in their understanding of the gospel so that their lives are transformed by it.
· He also asked for prayer that Christians across the province would become agents of transformation, carrying God’s love into their communities and helping bring renewal to wider society.
· Finally, the Archbishop asked for prayer for the new provincial office in Kinshasa and the team serving there, that they would have wisdom and strength to lead the province effectively in the years ahead.
The Anglican Province of Congo is one of the Francophone churches within the Anglican world, and its continued growth represents both a great opportunity and a significant responsibility. Relay Trust is grateful for the partnership we share with the Church there and for the opportunity to walk alongside leaders such as Archbishop Ande.
Please join us in praying for the Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo as it seeks to proclaim the gospel, disciple believers, and serve communities across the nation.