It’s two years since Martin was ordained as Bishop of Goma. Below are some of the highlights from the second year to give you a flavour of the everyday reality of the mission and ministry of the church in Congo. Throughout all of the highs and lows of ministry, the reality of life in rebel-held territory and a worsening humanitarian situation we have been able to witness to the goodness and the faithfulness of God.

Even (perhaps moreso) in a time of conflict, the main focus of the diocese is to build and strengthen the church to fulfil its mission of proclaiming the love of God in word and in deed. Knowing that one day the war will end in eastern Congo and that the church will be needed more than ever to play a central role in the rebuilding of shattered lives and communities.

Overview
Parishes – 53
Clergy – 58 and evangelists – 45 
Of whom suspended – 5
Believers – 12,000
Schools – 109
Pupils – 26,000

Episcopal ministry
Confirmations – 350
Number of women becoming formal members of the Mother’s Union – 94
Ordinations of priests and deacons – 5
Goats received as gifts – 3

Evangelism and church planting
Open-air evangelism campaigns – 14
New believers – over 1,000
New theology students trained and ready to plant churches – 19
New worshipping communities planted – 12

Parish development
Plots of land bought – 16
Title deeds secured – 11
Church buildings completed – 10  (and 4 temporary structures)
Temporary stolen stolen by retired clergy – 1
700-metre stone walls built – 1

Conflict and insecurity
Number of people killed when Goma fell to the M23 rebels – 8,500
Parts of diocese under M23 control – all except Walikale
Anglican parishes unable to meet to worship – 15
Anglican schools closed due to the war – 51
Anglican schools damaged by the war – 20
Pupils out of school as a result of the war – 8,500

Other
Global petitions – 1
BBC Christmas Eve sermons – 1
Churches, schools, children named after the bishop – still none …