Original Research

The impact of charismatic phenomena in the establishment and growth of the Congo Evangelistic Mission in the Luba region

Mayuka G. Bondo, Dichk M. Kanonge, Johan Kommers
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi | Vol 54, No 1 | a2511 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v54i1.2511 | © 2020 Mayuka G. Bondo, Dichk M. Kanonge, Johan Kommers | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 25 June 2019 | Published: 15 April 2020

About the author(s)

Mayuka G. Bondo, Department of Missiology, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
Dichk M. Kanonge, Department of Ancient Languages, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
Johan Kommers, Department of Missiology, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa

Abstract

This article evaluates the impact of charismatic phenomena in the evangelisation of the Luba by the Congo Evangelistic Mission (CEM) between 1915 and 2015 (the centenary year of the CEM). The CEM is a Pentecostal faith-mission, founded in Mwanza, Katanga in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1915 by the British missionaries W.F.P. Burton and J. Salter. Several authors such as Burton, Hodgson, Whittaker and Womersley believe that the manifestation of charismatic phenomena was instrumental to the extraordinary growth experienced by the CEM throughout its history. They posit that the occurrence of charismatic phenomena such as healing, miracles and deliverances, to mention a few, has made the CEM’s proselytising more effective than any other missionary organisation in the region. In fact, as observed by Garrard, miraculous healings and divine judgements played a significant role in the acceptance of the CEM missionaries by the indigenous people of the Luba tribe in Katanga.

Keywords

charismatic; phenomena; Congo Evangelistic Mission; Luba region; miraculous healings; judgement.

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Crossref Citations

1. Charismatic experiences in the Congo Evangelistic Mission Churches: A review of some practices
Mayuka G. Bondo, Marius Nel
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi  vol: 56  issue: 1  year: 2022  
doi: 10.4102/ids.v56i1.2841