Mission guide
Democratic Republic of the Congo Kolwezi Mission
The Democratic Republic of the Congo Kolwezi Mission serves in a mining city shaped by faith, history, and the copperbelt.
- French
- Lingala
Democratic Republic of the Congo Kolwezi Mission shirts & apparel
Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.
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Democratic Republic of the Congo Kolwezi Mission T-Shirt
$29.00
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Democratic Republic of the Congo Kolwezi Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Democratic Republic of the Congo Kolwezi Mission Flag Map Shirt
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Choose size & color →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 – French
$29.00
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I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink) – French
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I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – Lingala
$29.00
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I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink) – Lingala
$29.00
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I Glory in My Jesus Shirt
$29.00
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I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink)
$29.00
Choose size & color →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.
More shirts in the language of this mission
Press Forward, in the languages of this mission and English
"Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ" (2 Nephi 31:20) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
About the mission
French and Lingala are spoken in the mission. French is widely used for education, government, and communication, while Lingala is a major regional language.
At a glance
- Country
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Main city
- Kolwezi, about 573,000 people
- Languages
- French and Lingala
- Time zone
- Central Africa Time (UTC+2)
- Climate
- Tropical savanna, with warm rainy summers and warm, dry winters
- Church in Africa
- 1,046,270 members, 3,220 congregations, 54 missions, 665 FamilySearch centers, 8 temples
A short history of the area
Kolwezi became the capital of Lualaba Province after administrative changes in 2015. The area has also experienced important regional events, including the 1978 fighting that brought foreign military forces to the city. Today, mining, railways, and nearby hydroelectric facilities remain important parts of local life.
The Church here
- 1960sPeople living in present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo began corresponding with Church headquarters and organizing unofficial congregations.
- 1979Church representatives began working to establish an official presence in the country.
- 1986The first Latter-day Saint missionaries arrived in Zaire, the country's name at that time.
- February 1986The country's president promised on state television to grant the Church legal recognition.
- Late 1980sThe Church established branches in Lubumbashi and other parts of Katanga Province.
- 1991Branches were organized in Kolwezi and Likasi.
Temples nearby
Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple
Under construction · About 150 miles from Kolwezi
Harare Zimbabwe Temple
Dedicated March 1, 2026 · About 615 miles from Kolwezi
The Book of Mormon here
Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to 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
- Moambe chicken (chicken served with a rich palm-nut sauce)
- Fufu (a soft, filling dough made from cassava or other starches)
- Pondu (cassava leaves cooked into a savory dish)
- Chikwanga (cassava bread wrapped and cooked in leaves)
Fun facts
- Kolwezi stands at an elevation of about 1,448 meters, or 4,751 feet.
- Large open-pit cobalt mines are located west and north of the city center.
- The University of Kolwezi launched the first digital library in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.
Hoodies & shorts for this mission
The same mission, made for cooler days and the court.
