This phase is characterized by an immediate reaction to armed conflicts, with an effort to provide spiritual and moral refuge to displaced populations. Charismatic religious movements and deliverance prayer campaigns developed, while local churches, in partnership with international organizations, initiated re-evangelization programs focused on spiritual healing and community reconciliation.

Religious movements centered on charisma, deliverance prayer, and inner healing emerged, while mass evangelization campaigns were often organized in displaced persons’ camps and war-torn areas, bringing a message of hope and resilience to affected communities.

THE REFLECTION AND INCULTURATION PHASE (2001-2010).

During the 2000s, relative stability allowed churches to reassess their approach by increasingly integrating local cultural practices to adapt the Gospel to the region’s realities while avoiding syncretism. The Church sought to reposition itself as a force for social transformation, with training programs aimed at enhancing religious leaders’ capacity to preach a contextualized message.

This phase was marked by a desire to reposition the Church as a force for social transformation while valuing local traditions compatible with biblical teachings. Training programs for religious leaders were also established to strengthen their ability to preach a contextualized message.

THE SPIRITUAL RENEWAL AND EMERGENCE OF NEW STRATEGIES PHASE (2011-2024).

Globalization and new technologies have led the Church to adopt innovative strategies to reach the youth and respond to emerging ideologies. These efforts combine mass campaigns, online training, and community economic development initiatives.

Young people, encouraged to engage in Christian entrepreneurship and social action, actively participate in efforts toward social transformation. This period is also marked by the creation of new churches, influenced by the Pentecostal model, and an increased focus on social justice, peace, and reconciliation.

The younger generations, particularly targeted by these efforts, have been encouraged to adopt more dynamic forms of church participation, such as Christian entrepreneurship and social engagement. Churches have intensified their partnerships with local and international NGOs to strengthen their impact on the social and spiritual transformation of communities.

This period has also been marked by the proliferation of new churches, often influenced by Pentecostal or Charismatic models, and by a heightened effort to rebuild the social fabric through initiatives focused on social justice, peace, and reconciliation…

This text is an excerpt from the book “RE-EVANGELIZING THE EAST OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO” written by Dr. Valéry Kitwana Shibari.

We invite you to read the following article “TENSIONS BETWEEN CUSTOMARY POWERS AND NEW ELITES”.

THE CONFLICT RESPONSE. THE CONFLICT RESPONSE.