Evangelical Church of Congo facts for kids

The Evangelical Church of Congo (EEC) is a large Christian church in the Republic of Congo. It is the second biggest Christian group in the country, right after the Catholic Church. About 150,000 people are members of the EEC, and their churches are found all over the country. The EEC is also part of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, which connects many similar churches around the world.

How the Church Started and Grew

The Evangelical Church of Congo began its journey in 1909. Missionaries from the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden first started their work in what was then called the Belgian Congo. Later, missionaries from Norway and Finland also joined them. This group worked together for many years.

In 1961, the church became fully independent. This meant it could make its own decisions and manage its own affairs without help from the original missionary groups. It was at this time that it officially became known as the Evangelical Church of Congo.

What the Church Believes and Practices

The Evangelical Church of Congo does not have a set list of beliefs called "creeds" that members must follow. Instead, it focuses on the teachings of the Bible. One important practice in the church is adult baptism. This means that only people who are old enough to understand and choose their faith are baptized.

The church also helps train its future leaders and pastors. It has special schools, called seminaries, in places like Ngouedi and Mansimou. These seminaries teach students about the Bible, theology, and how to lead a church community.

How the Church is Organized

The Evangelical Church of Congo has a clear way of organizing itself. It has different groups that help run the church and make decisions. These groups include:

• The Synod: This is the highest decision-making body of the church.
• The Synod Council: This group helps carry out the decisions made by the Synod.
• The Synod Office: This office manages the daily operations of the church.

The person who leads the Synod Office is also the President of the entire Evangelical Church of Congo. This person helps guide the church and its members. The church also has many local groups, including congregations (local churches), presbyteries (groups of churches in an area), and mission field workers who help spread the church's message.

Church Numbers and Reach

The Evangelical Church of Congo has grown quite a bit since it started. Here are some numbers that show its size and reach:

• Presbyteries: 26 (These are like districts, each with several churches.)
• Parishes: 120 (These are individual church communities.)
• House fellowships: 980 (These are smaller groups that meet in homes.)
• Evangelists: 287 (These are people who share the church's message.)
• Active pastors: 155 (These are the main leaders of the church communities.)