A letter from Pastor Thomas Ngendja (June 2026)
Ebola Emergency – A Call for Solidarity
I humbly appeal to your kindness to request emergency assistance—of any amount—to support our church and the pastoral families who have been hit hard by the Ebola epidemic. To date, our community has already lost two pastors and four congregants. This situation has plunged us into deep distress. Personally, I feel overwhelmed by the sheer scale of this crisis, which is affecting our families, our spiritual leaders, and our entire community.
The health measures imposed to curb the spread of the disease—particularly the ban on church gatherings—have made the situation even more difficult. As you know, most of our pastors rely on the daily offerings and support of their congregants to sustain themselves. Today, several pastoral families find themselves without sufficient resources to meet their basic needs.
For this reason, I ask that you kindly share this appeal with your friends, your own church community, and anyone of good will who might be able to come to our aid. The needs are immense, particularly regarding assistance for affected families and the procurement of supplies necessary for our health response efforts.
We sincerely thank you for your prayers, your solidarity, and any contribution that the Lord places upon your heart.
May God bless you abundantly.
August 2022 update
Tribal violence exacerbated by outside international interference continues in the Eastern DRC. In Bunia, Pastor Thomas Ngendja is among those working for peace and reconciliation. In July 2021, he interviewed church workers who have fled the violence in Djugu Territory where thousands have been killed since 2017.
December 2021 update:
COVID-19 is having a huge impact on the DR Congo, particularly by constraining economic activities. The vaccination rate as of December 2021 is less than one percent (0.1 %) according to the WHO COVID-19 Africa dashboard. Only 20% of the 1.4 million doses received by the DRC have been administered partly due to lack of health infrastructure but also because of distrust of the government and significant resistance to vaccination. In July, our team made videos in seven local languages encouraging people to wear masks and to get vaccinated.
April 2020 update:
Ituri and North Kivu are experiencing renewed violence from militia groups, a recurrence of Ebola, isolation and economic impacts due to coronavirus, and food shortages.
Preaching in the Bunia Central Prison just prior to the coronavirus pandemic. Both small and large gifts are appreciated. Gifts less than $500 can buy rice and beans for distribution in the short term. Larger gifts can fund self-sustaining agricultural projects.
November 2019 update:
Pastor Thomas sent these photos of the health clinic in Ituri and people being screened for Ebola.
… and the agricultural project is underway with seed in the ground
From August 2019:
Responding to Ebola Virus Disease in Ituri and North Kivu provinces of the DR Congo
Pastor Thomas Ngendja, in the city of Bunia in Ituri Province in the DR Congo, is dealing with Ebola, tribal violence, and economic challenges.