Mission guide

Democratic Republic of the Congo Mbuji-Mayi Mission

A mission centered in Mbuji-Mayi, a historic diamond-mining city in the heart of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

French
Lingala

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Democratic Republic of the Congo Mbuji-Mayi Mission shirts & apparel

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Democratic Republic of the Congo Mbuji-Mayi Mission T-Shirt

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Democratic Republic of the Congo Mbuji-Mayi Mission Heart Map Shirt

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Democratic Republic of the Congo Mbuji-Mayi 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

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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 Mbuji-Mayi Mission is headquartered in Mbuji-Mayi in central DRC. The mission was created from parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa and Lubumbashi missions.

French and Lingala are spoken in the mission area. French is widely used in education, government and church settings, while Lingala is one of the country’s major regional languages.

At a glance

Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Main city: Mbuji-Mayi (2,892,000 urban population, 2023)
Languages: French and Lingala
Time zone: Central Africa Time (UTC+2)
Climate: Tropical wet and dry, with a rainy season and a notably dry July
Church in Africa: 1,046,270 members, 3,220 congregations, 54 missions, 8 temples

A short history of the area

Mbuji-Mayi began as a cluster of villages on land owned by the Bakwanga clan. Diamonds were discovered in the area in 1907, and their value was recognized in 1913. The Société minière de Bakwanga then developed a mining camp for workers and company officials. The settlement was known as Bakwanga until the end of 1962.

The city grew quickly after Congolese independence as members of the Luba ethnic group moved there from other parts of the country. Mbuji-Mayi is named after a local river. The Tshiluba name means “Goat-Water,” referring to the large number of goats in the region.

The Church here

1986Missionaries arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
1997The Church organized its first branches in central DRC, including branches in Kananga, Mbuji-Mayi and Luputa.
2008The first official branches were organized in Mwene-Ditu and Gandajika.
2010A stake was organized in Mbuji-Mayi.
2010Church leaders transferred the jurisdiction of Mwene-Ditu and Gandajika to the newly organized Democratic Republic of the Congo Lubumbashi Mission.
2016The Democratic Republic of the Congo Mbuji-Mayi Mission was created, with Alfred Kyungu as its first mission president.
2023The Mbuji-Mayi Mission divided to create a separate mission in Kananga.

Temples nearby

Mbuji-Mayi Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple

Announced · Near Mbuji-Mayi

Kananga Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple

Announced · About 80 miles from Mbuji-Mayi

Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple

Dedicated April 14, 2019 · About 585 miles from Mbuji-Mayi

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 cassava or maize staple served with sauces)
Saka-saka (cassava leaves cooked with seasonings and often oil)
Moambe chicken (chicken served with a rich palm-nut sauce)
Makemba (cooked plantains, often served as a side dish)

Fun facts

Mbuji-Mayi is located on one of the world’s largest known industrial diamond deposits.
In 1963, MIBA was reported to produce 80 percent of the world’s industrial diamonds and 57 percent of all diamonds.
The city is divided into five communes: Bipemba, Dibindi, Diulu, Kanshi and Muya.

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