Key points
- The Rev. Mbayo Mwepu Maxime, Bible translator and director of evangelism, died on Jan. 3 at the age of 70.
- He was one of the pillars of the translation of the Bible into Kiluba (Dibuku Dijila), a work that took more than five years.
- Bishop Mande Muyombo hailed him as a “passionate and dedicated evangelist.”
The Rev. Mbayo Mwepu Maxime, an iconic figure in the North Katanga Conference and one of the few scholars to have translated the Holy Scriptures into the native language of his region, passed away Jan. 3. He was 70 years old.
The memorial service was held at the Centenaire Memorial in Lubumbashi, in the episcopal region of South Congo. In unity, pastors from South Congo and North Katanga officiated the funeral service before friends and acquaintances who filled the church and its surroundings.
A father of nine and grandfather of 20, Mbayo is described by his peers as a humble, loyal servant deeply committed to the holistic mission of The United Methodist Church.
“The Rev. Maxime Mbayo was a passionate and dedicated evangelist,” said Bishop Mande Muyombo, who oversees the North Katanga Episcopal Area, which encompasses parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as Tanzania. “He initiated the Bible and Bike program with the Rev. Lindsey Kilpatrick of the Texas Conference. At the request of (now retired) Bishop Pierre Nkulu Ntanda Ntambo, he joined an ecumenical group that worked on translating the Bible into Kiluba for more than five years.”
The Rev. Mulongo Ndala, deputy legal representative in the Upemba Conference, expressed the conference’s grief by comparing the loss to “a tooth pulled out by force.”
Born March 28, 1955, in Songa Mission, 50 miles from Kamina in the province of Haut-Lomami, Mbayo rose through the academic ranks to earn a master’s degree in leadership and Old Testament theology. His language skills in Hebrew, Greek, French and English made him an ideal candidate for translation studies.
The Rev. Betty Kazadi Musau, communications director for the North Katanga Episcopal Area, said that although this work was translated in Kamina, it has an impact more than 600 kilometers away.
“The Bible in Kiluba (Dibuku Dijila) is used throughout the Baluba region of Katanga,” she said. “It is sold in Lubumbashi for families who want to read it at home.”
This impact extends beyond The United Methodist Church, as Pentecostal, Adventist and Brethren (Garengaze) churches all use Mbayo’s translation for their liturgy.
His longtime colleague, the Rev. Kasongo Mutombo Mukonkele, recalls their collaboration: “Pastor Mbayo left us with memories that cannot be erased: empathy, a sense of sharing and, above all, the Bible in Kiluba (Dibuku Dijila). It is a legacy that is difficult to erase.”
This Bible, now sold for $20, has become an indispensable spiritual tool in all Kiluba-speaking regions, anchoring the United Methodist faith in the local culture.
As director of evangelism, Mbayo was not afraid of the difficulties in the field. The Rev. Nyembo Kinkundulu, a longtime friend, recalls that regardless of the mode of transportation, his goal remained the same: to spread the Gospel.
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“When he was appointed director of evangelism, he walked, rode a motorcycle, drove a vehicle, and flew a plane to do God’s work,” Kinkundulu said.
The Rev. Irung Dib Emmanuel, coordinator of special projects, attests to this resilience: “He was humble, willing to go out into the field with minimal resources.”
This strength of character was particularly evident during the denomination’s recent transition to regionalization. Pastor Mbayo remained steadfast, traveling through villages on his motorcycle to train the faithful, accompanied by Kinkundulu.
He taught tirelessly on the Social Principles, particularly on the issues of gender and inclusion. He advocated for an inclusive character where “everyone is useful,” insisting that children and people with disabilities must have their place in worship.
Ntambo praised Mbayo’s unwavering loyalty: “He was loyal to his church and to The United Methodist Church authorities, especially when needed. He was ready to serve.”
The retired bishop added that Mbayo was nicknamed “the Chaplain of the North in Lubumbashi” for his constant dedication during visits to the sick and funerals.
Kinkundulu said he was “very friendly, sociable and a friend to children. Pastor Mbayo Mwepu liked to buy musical instruments, which he used as a tool for evangelism among children and adults.”
Mbayo had a passionate love for music. To honor him, his former singing companions from Kamina, now living in Lubumbashi, formed a special choir for the memorial service, filling the sanctuary with melodies.
The Rev. Kyungu wa Ngoy Bertin concluded the memorial by comparing Mbayo’s life to that of the Apostle Paul.
“Like the Apostle Paul, Pastor Mbayo experienced physical and spiritual trials. Despite difficulties and criticism on social media, particularly during the transition to regionalization of the Church, he stood firm, traveling from village to village on his motorcycle to serve God,” he said. “Death for Pastor Mbayo is a bridge of deep union with Jesus Christ.”
In a moving farewell message, his children and grandchildren recalled the values he passed on to them: unity, peace and a love of flowers.
Mbayo is survived by his wife, Ngoy Mwepu Mujinga Marie, and his nine children: Ginette, Packy, Michée, Benette, Isaac, Glody, Adin, Sam and Chris.
Yamba Kisonga is a communicator for the North Katanga Conference. The Rev. Dr. Betty Kazadi Musau, director of communications for the North Katanga Episcopal Area, contributed to this article.
News media contact: Julie Dwyer at newsdesk@umnews.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.
