Combating Diseases

Members of Sayuni United Methodist Church in Fizi, Congo, participate in Sunday worship. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, around 24,000 people would attend church services each Sunday in the Kivu Conference. Now, that number is about 10,000, according to the conference's statistician. Photo by Philippe Kituka Lolonga, UM News.

United Methodists promote COVID-19 vaccines in Congo

Downward trend continues in church attendance, finances and evangelism efforts as faithful opt to stay home rather than risk infection.

Mission and Ministry

The Rev. Clement Kingombe Lutala, Bukavu District superintendent, shares COVID-19 prevention information on Radio Iriba in Bukavu. With the help of the United Front Against Riverblindness, The United Methodist Church in East Congo has led awareness campaigns via community radio in 10 health zones in North and South Kivu. Photo By Philippe Kituka Lolonga, UM News.

Church grapples with resurgence of Ebola

As Ebola, COVID-19, malaria and other diseases threaten lives and livelihoods, church leaders in Congo offer assistance.

Mission and Ministry

Custodian James Jimmerson disinfects a microphone to prevent any possible spread of the coronavirus at Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, May 10, following online worship, which is recorded in the sanctuary. As churches considered returning to in-person worship, cleaning measures are one of many factors leaders considered. “I believe my job, my part in this, is to make sure people are safe in here,” Jimmerson said. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

COVID-19 is top church story of 2020

The church response to the COVID-19 pandemic was voted the top United Methodist news story of 2020 by conference communicators in the U.S., Africa, Europe and the Philippines and UM News staff.

Mission and Ministry

Veronika Mwale (right) pumps water from a borehole in Thako village in Mchinji, Malawai. The borehole, which supplies water for three villages, was built through a partnership between Ankeny United Methodist Church in Ankeny, Iowa, and the Malawi Provisional Conference. Photo by Francis Nkhoma, UM News.

Clean water efforts aid villagers during pandemic

Through water, sanitation and hygiene training and the drilling of boreholes, more people in remote communities in Malawi and Zimbabwe have access to clean water.

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