In May 2026, an Ebola virus strain—called Bundibugyo—spread rapidly through the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. In three months, this easily transmittable disease surpassed 7,000 infections and claimed more than 3,500 lives. It has no known treatment or vaccine. Recently, it arrived in the Ubangi Provinces of Congo—home of the Evangelical Free Church of Congo (CECU). The EFCA ReachGlobal Africa Division is working with CECU leaders to stop the spread of Ebola through preventative training, resources, and sanitation tools and supplies.
Due to insufficient infrastructure, word of mouth is the primary form of communication. Local churches and leaders are well-positioned to offer preventative training and speak truth into traditions and cultural realities that could cause damage to an orchestrated response.
“CECU church leadership has established a team of 10 people who meet daily for updates and to prepare to equip the Church to be a voice in this darkness. But reaching the 500-plus churches in this portion of the Ubangi with materials, hand-washing stations and precautionary supplies will require much. We do not want the virus to spread, but it will if people do not understand it. Government entities play a role in circumstances like this, but success in conquering an epidemic will only happen if the public joins the battle against it.” – Jim Snyder, international leader of ReachGlobal Africa
For more than 100 years, the EFCA and CECU have been ministry partners—sharing the gospel, planting churches and establishing gospel ministries like GlobalFingerprints, which has its largest ministry presence in the Congo with more than 2,700 children. In addition, CECU ministries—like The Promise Home, Elikya and Tandala Hospital, with over 50 health centers—are all part of our shared history and have made a lasting impact on the region.
- To learn more about the longstanding partnership between the EFCA and CECU, read "Decades of Partnership, A Century of Ministry" by Tom Cairns.
We’re calling on EFCA churches to provide prayer and resources to prevent the further spread of Ebola in the Ubangi.
Pray
- For protection and containment. Pray that the spread of Ebola would be stopped and that communities across the Ubangi would be protected.
- For medical workers and church leaders. Pray for wisdom, strength and adequate resources as leaders respond to the outbreak, especially in remote areas where communication and healthcare are limited.
- For truth to overcome fear and misinformation. Pray that accurate information about Ebola would reach even the most isolated communities and that people would be receptive.
- For those already affected. Pray for healing and for God’s comfort and presence with families who have lost loved ones.
- For the Church to be a light. Pray that God would use His Church to share truth, provide compassionate care and point people to the hope of Christ during this crisis.
Give
We are asking for $250,000 to enable CECU leaders to train and equip local churches and provide necessary resources for the Church to effectively combat the spread of Ebola.
