DR Congo: rebuilding schools

In Goma, Ngangi Primary school is currently undergoing extensive work including the rebuilding of 12 new classrooms, an office and toilets. The 1,000 students have now returned to school and mission partner Martin Gordon asks for prayer for the school teachers as they start the school year in challenging conditions.

Please also pray for the 50 school chaplains – that they would have a clear vision for serving the schools and preaching the gospel. Finally, please pray for continued funds to rebuild and rehabilitate the schools in the Diocese of Goma.

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North Africa: persecuted Christians

Prayer is needed for Christians across three different countries in North Africa being persecuted for their Christian faith. One Christian has been sentenced to death in one of these countries and prayer is requested that they will be released at an upcoming hearing.

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DR Congo: tragedy amid ongoing conflict and Ebola epidemic

Please pray for friends and family of CMS-Africa partner Etsegeri Emmanuel, who tragically died this week following a road accident. Pray for God to comfort and strengthen his family, colleagues and others who are mourning his passing.

Please pray for peace and stability for people in areas of DR Congo affected by conflict and insecurity.

Pray for the population as a whole and for healthcare workers especially as the DR Congo continues to battle the deadliest Ebola outbreak in the country’s history. The disease continues to spread rapidly and the death toll is now close to 4,000.

Pray for the disease to be contained, for those affected to receive the care they need, and for healthcare workers to have the resources to respond effectively.

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Ethiopia: conflict in Tigray

Lift up people in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, where clashes broke out last week and at least 52 civilians lost their lives during three days of heavy fighting around the town of Alamata. It is believed that government troops have taken control of the town and are heading north towards the main city in the region. Pray for hearts on both sides of the conflict to be turned to peace, and for God’s comfort for all those who are mourning the loss of loved ones killed in the fighting.

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South Sudan: conflict

CMS-Africa ask for prayer for peace and reconciliation following recent clashes between Arab Misseriya and Ngok Dinka groups, which left 40 people dead and 76 injured.

Pray, too, for families who have been displaced due to conflict, many of whom are living in the open without food or shelter.

Pray for God to provide for their immediate needs and comfort those who have lost loved ones. 

Pray for churches, local authorities and humanitarian partners as they respond to the crisis, and for an end to the conflict.

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Ethiopia: training for displaced church leaders

CMS partners Chris and Suzy Wilson, supporting peacemaking among Christians in Ethiopia, have in recent years been supporting displaced church leaders by delivering theology training in refugee camps.

Simon, a former theology student of Chris’s, has been supporting Chris with translation into local languages and teaching alongside Chris, and is now preparing to complete the next block of training without Chris. Pray for Simon to remain healthy and for the training to be a success.

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Tanzania: work and residence permits granted

CMS partner Heather Johnstone writes that after six long months, her Tanzania work and residence permits have been granted. Give thanks for this long-awaited breakthrough, and for the people who supported Heather practically and through prayer along the way.

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DR Congo: Ebola outbreak continues

Please pray for the people of DR Congo, where the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record continues and over 7,000 cases have been recorded. Worst hit is the north-east corner of the country, where CMS partner Bisoke Balikenga leads a peace centre. Pray for Bisoke and others at the peace centre as they do their best to serve all those who come to the peace centre for help. Pray for people to take precautions to help stop the spread of the disease, and for the outbreak to come to an end quickly.

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Tanzania: Christians in the minority

In Zanzibar, Christians are in the minority and many struggle to know how to flourish in their faith in a majority-Muslim culture. CMS-Africa has established a team on the archipelago to support Christians to thrive and share faith with their neighbours. Pray for the team to work together in harmony for God’s glory, and make a real difference to local Christians.

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Africa: CMS-Africa recruitment and tenants

CMS-Africa ask for prayer as they recruit a new international director and an accountant. Pray for God to lead the right people to apply for these positions and for wisdom for everyone involved in the interview and selection process. Pray also for suitable tenants to be found for CMS-Africa’s vacant office spaces in Kenya.   

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South Sudan: working towards reconciliation

Praise God for recent peace rally meetings in Abyei and Twic communities, which have helped to calm tensions between the communities and encouraged people to actively pursue peace. Pray for these efforts to contribute to reconciliation and lasting peace.

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Video transcript

Hello and welcome to Hope from the Edges. I’m Andy Roberts, CEO of CMS.

In this episode, we’re sharing three remarkable stories of lives transformed at the edges, showing how God is bringing belonging, restoring dignity, and planting vibrant communities of faith in unexpected places.

First, we’ll head to Brazil, where a remarkable prison ministry has been given the go-ahead to plant a church behind bars.

Then we’ll go to Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where families living in conflict zones are finding sanctuary and hope as new local churches are planted there too.

And finally, we’ll visit a UK pioneer community where art and creativity are opening doors for people to experience church in a whole new shape.

We begin in Brazil, where hundreds of men in a local prison are experiencing life-changing transformation.

For years, CMS mission partners and local leaders have walked alongside these men, offering Bible studies, discipleship courses, and a chance to encounter the love of Jesus. The outcome has been profound. Men who felt completely written off are finding forgiveness in Jesus and choosing a brand new path. Andy Walsh, who works with CMS in the prison, reports that hundreds of men have come to faith. Yet for a long time they were not allowed to gather together for any kind of worship service.

Now, after persistent advocacy by Andy and local Christian leaders, prison authorities have officially granted approval for a church plant inside the prison. Every week a chapel time forms behind bars, giving inmates a supportive community and real hope for their future outside. Our hope is that this will become a model for other churches to be born in prisons across Brazil.

Next, let’s go to Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to see more churches growing on the edges.

For decades, the district of Kibumba has been deeply affected by armed conflict, forced displacement, and resulting trauma. Rev Innocent Kwitonda, vicar of St John’s Church in Buvira, was born in this area. And his life story reflects both the deep suffering and incredible resilience of the local people.

Where violent conflict has uprooted lives and shattered stability, Rev Innocent and St John’s Church have refused to let fear have the final word. During the most recent brutal conflict in Goma, St John’s welcomed war-displaced families, providing clean water, basic household items, and temporary shelter for over 2,000 households.

Now, at the direct request of this local community, they have also planted three new churches in the area. These churches continue to grow in size and impact. Women who suffered sexual violence and harassment are gradually rediscovering hope and dignity through biblical teaching, pastoral care and supportive fellowship. Children participate in trauma healing sessions, educational activities, and structured play times that help make their restoration possible.

Rev Innocent says, “We firmly believe that the Lord alone is the healer of broken souls, and that the Church remains his chosen instrument to bring healing, reconciliation, and lasting transformation to wounded communities.”

Finally, let’s return to the UK, to the London area, for a wonderful story from CMS pioneer training graduate, Hayley Humphreys. A story of creativity, community, and connection.

What has become known as Art for Wellbeing, or Art Church, began a few years ago with 10 people, a table, and some paint and brushes. Hayley says, “There was no grand strategy, no detailed blueprint, just a sense that creativity mattered, that people needed connection, and that God might be present in the simple act of making something together.”

People who are unlikely to feel comfortable in a traditional church setting arrive, often carrying loneliness, grief, anxiety or doubt. And they are finding a non-threatening space where everyone belongs, no matter their artistic ability or background. Each session opens with a simple spiritual reflection, followed by open time for conversations about life and faith.

The fruit has been beautiful. Participants have discovered hidden gifts. Seven new leaders have stepped up from within the group, and people have taken significant steps in faith, including baptism. This year the group was formally recognised as a fresh expression of church. It is a powerful reminder that church doesn’t always look traditional.

As Hayley puts it, “The Kingdom of God is appearing right there in brushstrokes, conversations, and cups of tea.”

What strikes me about all three of these stories is the power of belonging, whether in a prison cell, a conflict zone, or around an art table. God’s love meets people right where they are.

Thank you for your prayers and financial support that empower local leaders to bring this hope to the edges.

Please share this video with your church or small group to encourage others today.

Until next time, we are so grateful for your gifts and prayers as together we go:

With Jesus
With each other
To the edges

ENDS

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