Congo’s First Latter-Day Saint Returns as Mission President

Junior and Annie Banza returned to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, to lead the Kinshasa North Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Banza was the first person baptized in the country in 1986, and his wife followed six months later.

The couple’s return marks a full-circle moment for both of them and for the church’s presence in the DRC. When the church first began in the nation, it consisted of just three members.

Today, the church has grown to approximately 160,000 members across seven missions. The DRC also houses a missionary training center, one dedicated temple, and plans are underway for three additional temples. The Banzas are now working to support this growing community as mission leaders.