# The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Democratic Republic of the Congo refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). As of 2021, the LDS Church reported 102,862 members in 269 congregations in the DRC, making it the third largest body of LDS Church members in Africa, behind Nigeria and Ghana. Currently, the DRC ranks as having the 16th highest LDS growth rate among countries of the world, with an annual growth rate of 13 percent.

## History

The LDS Church was first recognized in Zaire in 1986. That year the first missionaries began preaching in Kinshasa. The establishment of the church was aided by the Banza family, who had joined the church while studying at a university in Geneva, Switzerland. The third petitioner to establish the church that year was Nkitabungi Mbuyi, who had joined while studying in Belgium and subsequently served as a missionary for the church in England before his return to Zaire. The church has grown quickly since then, with the first stake being organised in 1996.
Since establishing itself in the country, the LDS Church has played a large role in providing humanitarian aid services in the nation. This has involved installing clean water distribution systems in areas where sanitation and water are low.
In 2011, it was reported that the church had reached a total of 100 congregations in the DRC.
By late 2019, the church had 22 stakes and one district as well as several branches directly under missions in the DRC.

## Stakes

| Stake | Organized | Mission |
| Bondoyi DRC Stake | 9 Jun 2024 | DRC Mbuji-Mayi |
| Dibindi DRC Stake | 11 Dec 2022 | DRC Mbuji-Mayi |
| Kabusanga DRC Stake | 5 Dec 2021 | DRC Mbuji-Mayi |
| Kananga DRC Stake | 21 Apr 2003 | DRC Kananga |
| Kasapa DRC Stake | 1 Dec 2024 | DRC Lubumbashi |
| Kasumbalesa DRC District | 19 Jan 2020 | DRC Lubumbashi |
| Katoka DRC Stake | 13 Dec 2015 | DRC Kananga |
| Katuba DRC Stake | 15 Mar 2009 | DRC Lubumbashi |
| Kikula DRC Stake | 4 Jul 2021 | DRC Lubumbashi |
| Kinshasa DRC Stake | 3 Nov 1996 | DRC Kinshasa West |
| Kinshasa DRC Binza Stake | 25 Nov 2012 | DRC Kinshasa West |
| Kinshasa DRC Binza UPN Stake | 15 Sep 2024 | DRC Kinshasa West |
| Kinshasa DRC Kimbanseke Stake | 23 Aug 2009 | DRC Kinshasa East |
| Kinshasa DRC Lukunga Stake | 10 Feb 2019 | DRC Kinshasa West |
| Kinshasa DRC Masina Stake | 2 May 1999 | DRC Kinshasa East |
| Kinshasa DRC Mikonga Stake | 1 Dec 2024 | DRC Kinshasa East |
| Kinshasa DRC Mokali Stake | 16 Dec 2012 | DRC Kinshasa East |
| Kinshasa DRC Mont Ngafula Stake | 13 Apr 2008 | DRC Kinshasa West |
| Kinshasa DRC Mpasa Stake | 24 Jun 2018 | DRC Kinshasa East |
| Kinshasa DRC N'Djili Stake | 24 Jun 2018 | DRC Kinshasa East |
| Kinshasa DRC Ngaba Stake | 29 May 2016 | DRC Kinshasa West |
| Kinshasa DRC Ngaliema Stake | 9 Nov 2003 | DRC Kinshasa West |
| Kintambo DRC Stake | 8 Dec 2024 | DRC Kinshasa West |
| Kisanga DRC Stake | 25 Aug 2013 | DRC Lubumbashi |
| Kisangani DRC District | 2 Apr 2023 | DRC Kinshasa East |
| Kolwezi DRC Stake | 3 Oct 1991 | DRC Lubumbashi |
| Likasi DRC Stake | 27 Aug 2002 | DRC Lubumbashi |
| Lubumbashi DRC Stake | 7 Sep 1997 | DRC Lubumbashi |
| Luputa DRC Stake | 26 Jun 2006 | DRC Mbuji-Mayi |
| Malandji DRC Stake | 8 Dec 2019 | DRC Kananga |
| Matadi DRC District | 10 Jan 2021 | DRC Kinshasa West |
| Mbuji-Mayi DRC Stake | 28 Nov 2010 | DRC Mbuji-Mayi |
| Mwene-Ditu DRC Stake | 18 May 2014 | DRC Mbuji-Mayi |
| Ngandajika DRC Stake | 6 Nov 2016 | DRC Mbuji-Mayi |
| Ruashi DRC Stake | 22 Oct 2017 | DRC Lubumbashi |

## Missions

| Mission | Organized |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo Kananga | 1 Jul 2023 |
| Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa East | 28 Jun 2019 |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa West | 1 Jul 1987 |
| Democratic Republic of Congo Lubumbashi | 30 Jun 2010 |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo Mbuji-Mayi | 1 Jul 2016 |

## Temples

On October 1, 2011 the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple was announced by church president Thomas S. Monson. On February 12, 2016 ground was broken for the temple in a ceremony conducted by Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The temple was dedicated by Dale G. Renlund on April 14, 2019. Since then three other temples have been announced.
| 163. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple Official website News & images | 163. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple Official website News & images | |
| Location: Announced: Groundbreaking: Dedicated: Size: | Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1 October 2011 by Thomas S. Monson 12 February 2016 by Neil L. Andersen 14 April 2019 by Dale G. Renlund 12,000 sq ft (1,100 m$^2$) on a 5-acre (2.0 ha) site | Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1 October 2011 by Thomas S. Monson 12 February 2016 by Neil L. Andersen 14 April 2019 by Dale G. Renlund 12,000 sq ft (1,100 m$^2$) on a 5-acre (2.0 ha) site |
| 225. Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple (Under construction) Official website News & images | 225. Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple (Under construction) Official website News & images | |
| Location: Announced: Groundbreaking: Size: | Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo 5 April 2020 by Russell M. Nelson 20 August 2022 by Matthew L. Carpenter 19,300 sq ft (1,790 m$^2$) on a 2.57-acre (1.04 ha) site | Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo 5 April 2020 by Russell M. Nelson 20 August 2022 by Matthew L. Carpenter 19,300 sq ft (1,790 m$^2$) on a 2.57-acre (1.04 ha) site |
| 274. Kananga Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple (Site announced) Official website News & images | 274. Kananga Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple (Site announced) Official website News & images | |
| Location: Announced: Size: | Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo 3 October 2021 by Russell M. Nelson 11,000 sq ft (1,000 m$^2$) on a 1.6-acre (0.65 ha) site | Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo 3 October 2021 by Russell M. Nelson 11,000 sq ft (1,000 m$^2$) on a 1.6-acre (0.65 ha) site |
| 326. Mbuji-Mayi Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple (Announced) Official website News & images | 326. Mbuji-Mayi Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple (Announced) Official website News & images | |
| Location: Announced: | Mbuji-Mayi, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1 October 2023 by Russell M. Nelson | Mbuji-Mayi, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1 October 2023 by Russell M. Nelson |