Democratic Republic of Congo
The first Salvation Army corps was established in Kinshasa in 1934 by Adjutant (later Commissioner) and Mrs Henri Becquet. By decree of Léopold III, Armée du Salut was given legal status, with powers set out in a Deed of Constitution, on 21 February 1936. Work spread to Congo (Brazzaville) in 1937 and 16 years later it became a separate command, later being elevated to territory status.
Marking their last overseas visit before entering retirement, the General and Commissioner Silvia Cox (WPWM) visited the territory in July 2018, encouraging Salvationists to rejoice in the Lord even when facing dificulties. During the visit, the general admitted Doctor David Nku Imbie, Director of the Army's Medical Service, to the Order of the Founder, the citation recognising the doctor's `extraordinary service to the territory'. The General received an honorary PhD from William Booth University in the presence of the country's Minister of Higher Education and Universities, Steve Mbikayi.
A territorial youth rally included the enrolment by Commissioner Cox of more than 100 junior soliders and on Sunday, following a march of witness by several thousand Salvationists, the visit concluded with a holiness meeting in which the General enrolled a large number of soliders.
Mobilisation is the main focus in this territory, which has committed itself to evangelism through marches of witness, campaigns, seminars and Bible studies, resulting in many new soliders being enrolled. Spiritual Life Development also participated by using the One Army materials.
Women's Ministries conducted seminars for officers and soliders, with topics touching on the challenges facing women and young girls. A number of activities on sex trafficking took place, including intergenerational dialogue, counselling, psychosocial care, medical consultations and vocational training.
Training of church leaders, facilitators, community leaders and volunteers in the areas of children's rights, women's rights, and gender and sexual abuse was provided to enable more outreach. As a result, 70 per cent of those trained showed increased awareness of the issues through campaigns taking the form of popular theatre, meetings with the local authorities, cultural events and public addresses, resulting in a 20 per cent reduction in cases of sexual and gender-based violence in the community.
The intergenerational dialogue between women and girls resulted in fewer young girls entering prositutions, while the dialogue between men and women on gender-based violence and equality led to a better understanding of the issues within families and the community.
Counselling and psychosocial care for girl victims of sex trafficking resulted in many girls at Mpasa Centre showing improved emotional stability.
Voluntary testing for HIV/Aids has seen cases being referred for appropriate treatment and a decrease in the prevalence of HIV/Aids. Vocational training to empower teenage mothers and female sex workers has resulted in 70 per cent of the girls leaving a life of prositution.
In youth ministry, there was a weekend of reflection on all aspects of the work, an emphasis on child protection, and a corps cadet week that saw a revival with many young people being enrolled.
The visit of Commissioners Benjamin (IS) and Grace Mnyampi (ZSWM) included officers councils, a holiness meeting, and visits to the Mpasa vocational training centre, the training college, William Booth University, a hopsital and a Women's Ministries project.
Territorial Leaders
Colonel Lucien Lamartiniere - Territorial Commander
Colonel Marie Lamartiniere - Territorial President for Women's Ministries
Colonel Peter Kwenda - Chief Secretary
Colonel Norma Kwenda - Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries
Territorial Headquarters
Ave Ebea 23, Kinshasa-Gombe, Democratic Republic of Congo
Postal address:
Armée du Salut 8636
Kinshasa 1
Democratic Republic of Congo
Tel: +243 997-526050
Email: kin_leadership@kin.salvationarmy.org
Countries included in the territory: Democratic Republic of Congo
Languages in which the gospel is preached: Chokwe, French, Kikongo, Lingala, Swahili, Tshiluba, Umbundu