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Young African Theology Students Seek New Ministry Careers

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo — Careers in the church are the goal of Leya Muloba and Tatiana Ndjoko, two young Congolese Mennonite women studying theology. Neither plans to be a pastor.

"Now it is difficult [for women to be pastors], but maybe after another five years the church can change," Leya says. "Eventually it will happen."

Born and raised in Mennonite families in Kinshasa, Tatiana, 23, and Leya, 26, are students at the Centre Universitaire de Missiologie (University Missiological Centre or CUM). Both women switched from business courses to studying theology.

Tatiana, the oldest of six siblings and a member of the Congolese Mennonite Brethren church, dreamed of being an independent business woman. After several people in her church talked to her about studying to become a pastor, she prayed about her future, but she did not feel called to be a pastor. Instead, Tatiana felt drawn to mission work with a special interest in conflict resolution.

On visiting CUM, she learned she could study biblical and mission courses there for three years, then specialize elsewhere for two years in conflict resolution to complete the equivalent of a BA degree. Tatiana is now in her second year at CUM.

Leya, the second of eight children and a member of the Congo Mennonite Church, dropped out of business school because of lack of funds. Pastor Begela, who had been a Mennonite missionary in Eastern Congo, encouraged her to consider missions. At first she wasn't interested, but after talking with other people, including the president of her church, and with her father's blessing, Leya began the difficult process of raising funds for studies at CUM.

After two years at CUM, Leya again didn't have the funds to continue her studies, but a woman theologian in her local congregation gave her hope of scholarship support. Leya decided to continue and is now near the end of her third year at CUM. She hopes to receive her BA degree in two more years.

Leya feels a strong call to encourage girls and young women within the Mennonite church to build self esteem and to develop and use their gifts. She hopes her church will use her skills in such a role.

At CUM, both women have come to see church-related careers in a different light. Tatiana used to think that missionaries were white people. Now she sees being a missionary in another cultural setting is something she can do. Leya once thought the Gospel was spiritual, not social. Now she sees evangelism as very broad and that God uses many different gifts.

While CUM has no women professors and a minority of women students, male teachers have been encouraging and supportive. Among the students, debates continue on women's roles. According to Leya, men are afraid of women with clear, large visions. Tatiana adds that all have gifts and there should be no domination in the church. They advise other young women to have patience, listen to God, and to be self confident.

"Know that you can go as far as men...and farther," Tatiana counsels.

Leya and Tatiana are among five African Mennonite women recommended by the African Anabaptist Women Theologians committee for scholarship assistance.

— Mennonite World Conference release from a report by Tim Lind