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 2025, the LDS Church reported 159,771 members in 431 congregations in the DRC, making it the second largest body of LDS Church members in Africa, behind Nigeria. The DRC ranks as having the highest LDS growth rate among countries with more than 25,000 members, as it more than tripled in membership between 2015 and 2025.Membership statistics (LDS Church)

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 and districts As of July 2026, the following stakes and districts were located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: StakeOrganized MissionBandundu District8 Jun 2025DRC Kinshasa SouthBoma District23 Nov 2025DRC Kinshasa WestBondoyi Stake9 Jun 2024DRC Mwene-DituDibindi Stake11 Dec 2022DRC Mbuji-MayiDiulu Stake28 Dec 2025DRC Mbuji-MayiFungurume Stake26 Jul 2026DRC KolweziKabusanga Stake5 Dec 2021DRC Mwene-DituKananga Lukonga Stake15 Jun 2025DRC KanangaKananga Ndesha Stake15 Jun 2025DRC KanangaKananga Nganza Stake15 Jun 2025DRC KanangaKananga Stake21 May 2011DRC KanangaKasapa Stake1 Dec 2024DRC LubumbashiKasumbalesa Stake9 Nov 2025DRC LubumbashiKatoka Stake13 Dec 2015DRC KanangaKatuba Stake15 Mar 2009DRC LubumbashiKikula Stake4 Jul 2021DRC KolweziKikwit District22 Jun 2025DRC Kinshasa SouthKimpese District30 Nov 2025DRC Kinshasa WestKinshasa Binza Stake25 Nov 2012DRC Kinshasa NorthKinshasa Binza UPN Stake 15 Sep 2024DRC Kinshasa WestKinshasa Fer Bois Stake9 Nov 2025DRC Kinshasa SouthKinshasa Kimbanseke Stake23 Aug 2009DRC Kinshasa SouthKinshasa Kimbwala Stake15 Jun 2025DRC Kinshasa WestKinshasa Limete Stake9 Feb 2025DRC Kinshasa EastKinshasa Lukunga Stake10 Feb 2019DRC Kinshasa WestKinshasa Mapela Stake29 Jun 2025DRC Kinshasa EastKinshasa Masina Stake2 May 1999DRC Kinshasa EastKinshasa Mikonga Stake1 Dec 2024DRC Kinshasa SouthKinshasa Mont Amba Stake9 May 2026DRC Kinshasa SouthKinshasa Mont Ngafula Stake13 Apr 2008DRC Kinshasa WestKinshasa Mpasa Stake24 Jun 2018DRC Kinshasa SouthKinshasa N'Djili Stake24 Jun 2018DRC Kinshasa SouthKinshasa Ngaba Stake29 May 2016DRC Kinshasa NorthKinshasa Ngaliema Stake9 Nov 2003DRC Kinshasa NorthKinshasa Siforco Stake16 Dec 2012DRC Kinshasa EastKinshasa Stake3 Nov 1996DRC Kinshasa NorthKintambo Stake8 Dec 2024DRC Kinshasa NorthKisanga Stake25 Aug 2013DRC LubumbashiKisangani District2 Apr 2023DRC Kinshasa EastKolwezi Joli Site Stake27 Jul 2025DRC KolweziKolwezi Stake22 Sep 2019DRC KolweziLikasi Stake26 Jun 2016DRC KolweziLubumbashi Bel-Air Stake8 Mar 2026DRC LubumbashiLubumbashi Stake7 Sep 1997DRC LubumbashiLubumbashi Upemba Stake30 Nov 2025DRC LubumbashiLubunga District11 May 2025DRC Kinshasa EastLuiza District9 Nov 2025DRC KanangaLukalaba District31 May 2026DRC Mbuji-MayiLuputa Katubi Stake23 Nov 2025DRC Mwene-DituLuputa Stake26 Jun 2011DRC Mwene-DituMalandji Stake8 Dec 2019DRC KanangaMaluku District5 Jun 2026DRC Kinshasa SouthMatadi Stake4 May 2025DRC Kinshasa WestMbandaka District8 Feb 2026DRC Kinshasa EastMbuji-Mayi Stake24 Apr 2016DRC Mbuji-MayiMuanda District16 Nov 2025DRC Kinshasa WestMwene-Ditu Stake3 Feb 2019DRC Mwene-DituNgandajika Kabanda Stake11 Jan 2026DRC Mbuji-MayiNgandajika Kalubanda Stake12 Mar 2023DRC Mbuji-MayiRuashi Stake22 Oct 2017DRC LubumbashiTshikapa District14 Dec 2025DRC KanangaTshitenge District15 Jun 2025DRC Mbuji-Mayi

Missions MissionOrganizedDemocratic Republic of the Congo Kananga1 Jul 2023Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa East28 Jun 2019Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa North1 Jul 2026Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa South1 Jul 2024Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa West1 Jul 1987Democratic Republic of the Congo Kolwezi1 Jul 2024Democratic Republic of the Congo Lubumbashi30 Jun 2010Democratic Republic of the Congo Mbuji-Mayi1 Jul 2016Democratic Republic of the Congo Mwene-Ditu1 Jul 2026

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.article on Kinshasa Temple dedication Since then three other temples have been announced.

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

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