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The Congo Initiative, centered in Beni, north of Goma, aims to "empower indigenous Christian leaders to transform their communities and their nation." The Kasalis envision several areas of ministry. They want to train church leaders. "They are overwhelmed and are crying for help," says David. They also want to start a Christian university to produce people "who will serve God in society." In addition, they want to encourage creative works in the form of music, theater, print, and electronic communications. "We want to worship as Congolese," he says.

How can American evangelicals support ministries such as the Congo Initiative or HEAL Africa?

"It is not about money," says Kasali, who spoke with CT from Milwaukee. Finances are needed, to be sure. HEAL Africa has international financial partners, and the Congo Initiative is nurturing even more partnerships. But, says Kasali, "We need relationships that are not limited to material things."

A growing number of American Christian leaders understand that the solution must come through Congolese hands. "The best we can do is come alongside the indigenous churches," says Robinson. "They need to figure out how to believe in themselves, take charge of their destiny, and not let the rest of the world take advantage of them."

Robinson's Elmbrook church supports the Congo Initiative, but Robinson knows it's an uphill battle. Responding to an invitation from Congolese churches, Robinson facilitated a week of training for pastors, stressing self-reliance and the need to be weaned from missionary dependence. At the end, an older pastor said, "We appreciate what you have said, but we are still waiting for the missionaries to return."

This is not what Robinson wanted to hear. "It negated all we tried to communicate."

He does not blame the pastor. "It is not entirely their fault. Missions can be very paternalistic," he says. "We taught them that we have the answers." This teaching breeds the "worst kind of poverty of the spirit, which waits for somebody else to come and provide the answers."

Haber agrees. People must address the roots of their problems and come up with solutions. "It is not about bringing material goods from the United States," he says. "It is teaching people to do it themselves."

Dan Fountain of the Global Health Training Program at King College, Bristol, Tennessee, says this empowerment must be grounded in God's Word. "As people begin to study God's Word, honesty increases, hard work increases." God takes priority. Desperate, homeless refugees in North Kivu demanded a church be built first. We need a house for God before we get houses for ourselves, they said.

The morning CT visited Lusi, he was neither dodging bullets nor escaping mortar shells. He was walking ward-to-ward, patient-to-patient, with unbelievable vigor. "We can only do this with the help of the Holy Spirit," he says.

Isaac Phiri is a journalist based in Zambia. Additional reporting by Grace Mugabe in Bukavu, DRC, and by CT senior news writer Deann Alford. For more information, visit www.congoinitiative.org; www.healafrica.org; www.monuc.org; and www.worldvision.org.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Cover Story
Born Again and Again | 'Jesus gives us strength,' says a Congolese pastor.

Sidebar
From Rape to Rebuilding | Women persevere in the Congo despite daunting obstacles.

Sidebar
Gospel Work in Time of War | Who says evangelism has to stop during conflict?

Inside CT
Glimpses of God in Africa | Reporting from the heart of darkness.

Previous Christianity Today coverage of the Congo includes:

Uncivil War | Missionary tells of horrors in strife-torn Congo. (July 25, 2005)

Roadblocks to Mercy | Congolese Christians won't allow a civil war to curtail outreach, church-planting. (Dec. 22, 2000)

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July 2006, Vol. 50, No. 7