CBCA Equips Faith Leaders to Confront Ebola with Knowledge, Compassion and Hope
With support from CCIH donors, Communauté Baptiste au Centre de l’Afrique (CBCA) equipped pastors and other church leaders in Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), to help their communities prevent Ebola, counter fear and stigma, and care for people affected by the disease.
Through its Bunia-Ville Parish, CBCA organized two training sessions for church and community leaders and broadcast Ebola-prevention messages through local media. The activities combined practical public-health guidance with pastoral and psychosocial support, recognizing that communities confronting Ebola need both accurate information and compassionate accompaniment.
Preparing Church Leaders to Support Their Communities
CBCA’s first training on July 21 brought together more than 115 pastors, elders, and leaders of men’s, women’s, youth, children’s, and intercessory ministries.
Rev. Johnny Mugenyi, Superintendent Pastor of the CBCA Bunia Ecclesiastical District, led a session on overcoming fear through faith and hope. Elder Muhindo Misonia Gautier addressed effective communication during an Ebola outbreak and the protective measures people can take to reduce transmission.
Participants also learned how to support Ebola survivors, grieving families, and others experiencing fear or trauma. According to CBCA, the training helped participants gain psychosocial support tools they can use in their churches and communities.
Extending the Training Across Bunia’s Churches
On August 6, CBCA expanded the initiative through the Council of Pastors of Bunia, part of the Église du Christ au Congo (ECC). Fifteen church leaders representing different Protestant denominations attended the session at the Methodist Church in Bunia.
Dr. John Ngendo, Medical Director of Salama Hospital in Bunia, spoke about communicating during an Ebola outbreak, supporting patients and bereaved families, and ensuring that burials are conducted safely and with dignity. (Top photo shows Dr. John Ngendo during the training on August 6.)
Rev. Mugenyi encouraged pastors to help their congregations face the outbreak with faith while following appropriate health guidance. Together, the sessions strengthened connections among medical professionals, pastors, and other church leaders who can carry trusted information into their congregations.
Taking Prevention Messages Beyond the Training Room
CBCA also worked through local media to reach the wider Bunia community. Ebola-prevention messages were broadcast on local radio for five days, addressing protective practices while helping counter misinformation, stigma, and fear.
Faith leaders can play an especially important role during disease outbreaks. They are trusted voices who can reinforce public-health guidance, encourage people to seek care, and ensure that survivors and grieving families are met with compassion.
Pastors in Bunia Ville learning about how to prevent transmission of Ebola and support survivors.
Continuing the Response
The situation remains grave. Communities face not only the risk of infection, but also grief, trauma, stigma, and continuing needs among survivors, orphans, and vulnerable families. Churches and other public gathering places need additional prevention supplies, while pastors and church volunteers require appropriate protection when supporting families and participating in burials.
Long-term psychosocial care will also be essential. The effects of an Ebola outbreak do not end when transmission declines: recovered patients and bereaved or traumatized families may need accompaniment and support for months or years.
Even amid these challenges, CBCA’s work offers reason for hope. Pastors and church leaders are better prepared to share accurate information, promote preventive practices, and walk alongside people affected by Ebola. CBCA Bunia-Ville Parish has affirmed its readiness to continue providing holistic support to people who are ill, those who have recovered, and families experiencing grief and trauma.
CCIH is grateful to its donors for making this locally led response possible and to CBCA and Bunia’s faith and health leaders for serving their communities with courage, knowledge, and compassion.
See a brief video about CBCA’s involvement in the Ebola response, training pastors about how to communicate with clarity and precision and setting up handwashing stations outside of churches.
One Comment
Dr Isaac Muyonga
on August 11, 2026 at 4:40 am
Although the CCIH office is far away in the USA, the CBCA in Bunia has served as a helping hand to minister to the afflicted, a foot that travels to meet them, and a voice that speaks to and listens to them. Long live the CBCA-CCIH partnership.