Mission guide

Democratic Republic of the Congo Kananga Mission

The Democratic Republic of the Congo Kananga Mission serves the Kasai region from a historic city beside the Lulua River.

French
Lingala

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Democratic Republic of the Congo Kananga Mission shirts & apparel

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Democratic Republic of the Congo Kananga Mission T-Shirt

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Democratic Republic of the Congo Kananga Mission Heart Map Shirt

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Democratic Republic of the Congo Kananga Mission Flag Map Shirt

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I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission and English

2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.

I Glory in My Jesus shirt in French on Heather Grey: “Je mets ma gloire en mon Jésus”, 2 Néphi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – French

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in French, white ink on Midnight Navy: “Je mets ma gloire en mon Jésus”, 2 Néphi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink) – French

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I Glory in My Jesus shirt in Lingala on Heather Grey: “Nakembelaka na Yesu na ngai”, 2 Nefi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – Lingala

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in Lingala, white ink on Midnight Navy: “Nakembelaka na Yesu na ngai”, 2 Nefi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink) – Lingala

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I Glory in My Jesus Shirt

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in English, white ink on Maroon: “I glory in my Jesus”, 2 Nephi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink)

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Weak Things Become Strong, in the languages of this mission and English

"I make weak things become strong" (Ether 12:27) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.

Weak Things Become Strong shirt in French on Heather Cool Blue: “Je rends les choses faibles fortes”, Éther 12:27

Weak Things Become Strong Shirt – French

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Weak Things Become Strong shirt in Lingala on Heather Cool Blue: “Nakosala ete makambo ya bolembu makoma makasi”, Etele 12:27

Weak Things Become Strong Shirt – Lingala

$29.00

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Weak Things Become Strong shirt in English on Dark Heather Grey: “I make weak things become strong”, Ether 12:27

Weak Things Become Strong Shirt – English

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About the mission

The Democratic Republic of the Congo Kananga Mission serves rural areas across the Kasai region. The mission is headquartered in Kananga, a major city in central Democratic Republic of the Congo.

French and Lingala are mission languages. Tshiluba is also associated with Kananga and the surrounding Kasai area.

At a glance

Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Main city: Kananga, about 1,524,000 people in 2021
Time zone: Central Africa Time (UTC+2)
Climate: Tropical savanna, with a dry season beginning in June and July and a wet season from September to May
Languages: French and Lingala
City founded: 1884

A short history of the area

In 1884, German explorer Hermann Wissmann established a station near the Lulua River. He named it Malandji after a suggestion from carriers who came from Malanje, Angola. After a railway station was built across the river, the town became known as Luluabourg.

Luluabourg became the capital of Kasai-Occidental Province in 1962. The city was renamed Kananga in 1966 during an Africanization campaign. Today, Kananga is the capital of Lulua Province and is near the Ilebo to Lubumbashi railway.

The Church here

1986Missionary work began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
1997The Church organized its first branches in central Democratic Republic of the Congo, including branches in Kananga, Mbuji-Mayi, and Luputa.
2010Church activity in Mwene-Ditu and Gandajika was transferred to the newly organized Democratic Republic of the Congo Lubumbashi Mission.
2011The Kananga Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake was organized, with Christophe Kawaya as president.
2021President Russell M. Nelson announced the Kananga Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple during the October general conference.
July 2023The Church opened a mission headquartered in Kananga.
2023-2024Mission leaders visited Latter-day Saints in Tshikapa and assigned full-time missionaries to the town.

Temples nearby

Kananga Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple

Announced · Near Kananga

Mbuji-Mayi Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple

Announced · About 80 miles from Kananga

Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple

Dedicated April 14, 2019 · About 500 miles from Kananga

The Book of Mormon here

Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.

French Read it free → Lingala Read it free →

Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Before you go

Phrases to learn

BonjourHello or good morning
Comment allez-vous ?How are you?
MerciThank you
S'il vous plaîtPlease

Foods to try

Fufu (a soft staple made from cassava or other starchy flour)
Moambe chicken (chicken served with a rich palm-nut sauce)
Saka-saka (cassava leaves cooked as a savory dish)
Mikate (small sweet fried dough balls)

Fun facts

Kananga’s name comes from the Tshiluba word kanangayi, meaning “a place for peace or love.”
The large high-voltage cables crossing the skies of Kananga are connected with the Inga-Shaba project.
Kananga is described as the fourth most populous urban area in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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