Last Sunday a new stake was created in Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic (DR) of the Congo.
The Kisanga DR Congo Stake was organized from the Katuba DR Congo Stake and includes the following seven wards and two branches: The Gecamines 1st, Gecamines 2nd, Katuba 3rd, Kisanga 1st, Kisanga 2nd, Mampala, and Plateau Wards and the Kasambalesa and Kipushi Branches. The new stake becomes the Church's third stake in the Lubumbashi area. The Church organized the first two stakes (Lubumbashi and Katuba) in 1997 and 2009, respectively, and the Church realigned these two stakes as a result of the creation of the new Kisanga stake. All three stakes currently have seven to eight wards. I estimate that approximately 0.41% of the city population of 1.73 million is LDS.
Prospects appear highly favorable for the organization of additional wards following the creation of a third stake. However, inadequate numbers of current meetinghouses - which are often too small to meet the current size of wards in the city - pose a significant barrier to greater growth. The Church recently instituted a new meetinghouse construction program which has potential to ameliorate this need.
There are now 12 stakes and three districts in the DR Congo. Missionaries report that the Kananga DR Congo Stake will divide in the near future to create a second stake in that city. The first stake in Kananga was organized only two years ago.
5 comments:
The Kananga Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake has the following 11 wards:
Kamayi Ward
Kananga 1st Ward
Kananga 2nd Ward
Katoka 1st Ward
Katoka 2nd Ward
Katoka 3rd Ward
Malandji Ward
Ndesha 1st Ward
Ndesha 2nd Ward
Nganza Ward
Oasis Ward
The Democratic Republic of the Congo Lubumbashi Mission now covers five stakes. Other stakes include:
The Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake has 8 wards:
Bel-Air Ward
Bongonga Ward
Kasapa Ward
Luano Ward
Lubumbashi 1st Ward
Lubumbashi 2nd Ward
Ruashi 2nd Ward
Ruashi 1st Ward
The Katuba Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake has 7 wards:
Katuba 1st Ward
Katuba 2nd Ward
Munama Ward
Mwimbila Ward
Nyashi 1st Ward
Nyashi 2nd Ward
Upemba Ward
The Luputa Democratic Republic of Congo Stake has 5 wards and 6 branches:
Contoniere Ward
Kabusanga Ward
Katshisungu Ward
Luputa 1st Ward
Tshibiayi Ward
Bondoyi Branch
Luputa 2nd Branch
Mukukuyi Branch
Mwene-Ditu Branch
Ngandajika Branch
Tshioji Branch
The mission also has 3 districts and 4 independent branches:
The Mbuji-Mayi Democratic Republic of the Congo District 8 branches:
Bipemba Branch
Dibindi Branch
Diulu Branch
Misesa Branch
Muya 1st Branch
Muya 2nd Branch
Tshikama Branch
Tshitenge Branch
The Kolwezi Democratic Republic of the Congo District has 4 branches:
Dilala Branch
Kolwezi Branch
Manika Branch
Mutoshi Branch
The Likasi Democratic Republic of the Congo District has 9 branches:
Kakanda Branch
Kakontwe Branch
Kikula 1st Branch
Kikula 2nd Branch
Likasi 1st Branch
Likasi 2nd Branch
Makayabo Branch
Panda Branch
Shituru Branch
4 independent branches:
Bujumbura 1st Branch
Bujumbura 2nd Branch
Democratic Republic of the Congo Lubumbashi Mission Branch
Uvira Branch
This is wonderful news. I look forward to the day when there is a temple in Lumbumbashi, but I expect temples in Zimbabwe and either Kenya or Uganda a while before that.
It is important that different nations get temples before one country has multiple ones.
Sorry, the first comment was a test because I have had a problem posting the last few weeks.
Newly back at my home computer. Finally got it to work.
Despite the DR Congo (former Zaire) being so large and ultimately requiring many temples to help its members access the regular blessings of attendance there, other African nations like Kenya, Uganda, and possibly even Sierra Leone or Mozambique or others, would be likelier candidates for the buildings.
It is politically important for the LDS church to establish its relationships in all these different lands, and the problems of crossing borders and acquiring visas often are the bigger hurdles than the actual distances.
Like South Africa, Congo represents a lot of people for tremendous growth, albeit more in French. And even more land.
Great to see this progress.
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