(Photo: Church Mission Society)
The city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains resilient in the face of adversity, one year after being overtaken by the militant group M23. Despite the trauma, there are signs of hope and recovery.
The takeover led to the death of over 3,000 people and forced 700,000 others to flee. The situation was worsened by widespread violence, including executions, rapes, and kidnappings, alongside the closure of critical infrastructure such as banks, courts, and the airport.
Amidst these challenges, Martin Gordon, the Anglican Bishop of Goma, reports a significant spiritual revival, with thousands turning to Christianity.
In many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, Christian ministers face challenges in reaching all areas of their parishes due to vast distances, scattered populations, and limited transportation and infrastructure.
Bishop Gordon shared with the Church Mission Society, “There were parishes that we been unable to reach for three years, but this year we’ve been able to visit and encourage the people that they are not forgotten.
“The suffering in Goma seems to have captured the attention of many in the Church globally, and we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of churches and individuals. As a result, when the situation was at its toughest, we were able to give a cash gift to each of our staff and clergy and even our teachers who hadn’t been paid for six months because of the closure of the banks.
“And again, at Christmas we blessed 200 families with a gift of a chicken and a sack of rice to celebrate.”
M23 receives support from the Rwandan government, which the DRC accuses of wanting to control its mineral-rich eastern regions. Meanwhile, Rwanda alleges that the DRC harbors individuals linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Exploiting the discord between the DRC government and M23, Islamist groups have also perpetrated atrocities of their own.
In this climate, churches have emerged as trusted institutions for the local population.
“It is at the heart of every village and community. When war came, people looked to the churches for every kind of help, as well as for hope,” Bishop Gordon explained.
“They were used as shelters, as distribution centres and we saw an increased attendance in many of our parishes that were not displaced.
“Those who didn’t usually attend started coming for prayer. Those who were more sporadic started attending more regularly.”
The bishop noted a rise in requests for baptism and confirmation, yet acknowledged the ongoing hardships in the region.
“Times are incredibly hard in Goma right now,” he said.
“The 2025 invasion adds one more layer of trauma to more than 30 years of conflict. And many still struggle to make ends meet. But amidst the suffering, we testify daily to God’s faithfulness, and we continue to put our trust in him, as the one who will ultimately bring about peace.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
