The Congo Mission Network (CMN) Steering Committee has announced a change in plans for its 2026 conference. The previously scheduled in-person gatherings in Montreat, N.C, and at the Presbyterian Guest House in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on August 27–29 have been postponed.
In place of these events, CMN will begin hosting monthly Zoom gatherings. These virtual meetings will create space for network members to engage in focused conversations around shared mission priorities. Dates and details will be announced soon.
These discussions come as partners adapt to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s restructuring of global mission work. Through these online gatherings, CMN aims to strengthen collaboration and develop practical tools for ongoing partnership. Key goals include:
- Building deeper relationships between Congolese and American partners
- Providing space for Congolese partners to share their needs and vision for support
- Strengthening connections among U.S. presbyteries, congregations, and individuals with partner institutions such as the Presbyterian Community of Congo (CPC), the Presbyterian Community of Kinshasa (CPK), the Christian Medical Institute of Kasai (IMCK), Church of Christ in the Congo (ECC), and the Université Presbyterienne du Congo (UPRECO)
- Learning from other mission partnership groups, especially those in Africa
- Encouraging U.S. partners to share updates and insights from their Congo-related work
- Collaboratively addressing mission procedures now left to presbyteries and congregations
- Engaging and welcoming younger members into the network
CMN plans to resume in-person gatherings in both the United States and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the future. In the meantime, CMN members may join an informal gathering in Montreat on August 29–30, held in conjunction with the annual Congo Connections meeting.
For more information, please contact Bill Reinhold at billreinhold1970@icloud.com.
