Mwema, Paul Nyembo (1927–2007)

By Ngili Muloko Mutombe

Ngili Muloko Mutombe, D.Min. (Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan), is the Mampala district leader and a professor of theology at Philip Lemon University in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He previously served as the first president of Philip Lemon University and president of West Katanga Field, North Katanga Mission, and Maniema Mission. He has authored L’Adventiste du Septième Jour: Histoire et Bataille d’Expansion de l’Evangélisation en RD Congo.

First Published: October 6, 2021

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Paul Nyembo Mwema was a pastor, evangelist and administrator in East-Central Africa.

Early Life

Paul Nyembo Mwema was born July 27, 1927, in Elisabethville (Lubumbashi). His father, Mwema Shinkala, was polygamous. After Paul’s birth, his father was converted to Adventism at Songa Mission which was built on land that he had donated to the church.

Paul Mwema married Nday Rozine, and from their marriage, eight children were born: Mwema Pauline, Mwema Paul, Mwema Rose, Kazembe Fred, Ilunga Celie, Kasongo Mwamana, Annie Mwema Abirery, and Mwema Gentine.

Carrier/Ministry

After his studies at Songa, he was employed as an evangelist who worked in different places. Nsaka Kabeya affirms that Paul Mwema led a school at Bashila Pyompyo. The church was organized in the classroom.¹ In 1951, Paul Mwema was replaced by Philippe Kijana in the surrounding area of Lulengele Station.² In 1959 he was ordained to pastoral ministry. While serving as Songa Station director, the record shows that in 1962 the Congo Union committee held at Ndola offered him a four-year bursary to Solusi with the understanding that provision would be made later to give him the necessary French training to fit him to become an able French speaking evangelist.³

His ministry involved serving as union Voice of Prophecy Director (1956-1960), North Kivu Field president (1970-1975), North Katanga Field president (1976-1980), and Zaire Union president (1980-1994).⁴ He published an article in the Southern Africa Division Outlook in 1959.⁵ In 1994, when the Zaire Union was about to be divided in two unions, new officers were elected for the two unions. Lubumbashi continued as the headquarters for the East Congo Union, and Baluku Mukole Marcel and Banona were the new officers. In 1998, he retired but remained a blessing to the church. He rested in the Lord on November 28, 2007, in Lubumbashi.

Contribution

During his leadership, the church grew in membership and infrastructure. With the Wilkins project, many churches all over the country received beautiful metal roofing to replace the straw roofs. More than 15 people were given bursaries for further studies at the Adventist University of Central Africa. The Zairian government honored him with a national medal.

Sources

Mwema, Paul. ¨More V.O.P. Conquests.” Southern African Division Outlook, August 15, 1959.

Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook. 1957-1994. https://www.adventistyearbook.org/.

The Congo Union Committee Minutes. East Congo Union Mission records, Lubumbashi, Ndola, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Notes

Nsaka Kabeya, telephone interview by the author, July 5, 2015.↩
Philippe Kijana, interview by the author, December 26, 2004.↩
The Congo Union Committee held at Ndola, May 18-21, 1962. Action number 893, 255.↩
Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook, 1957-1994.↩
Paul Mwema ¨More V.O.P. Conquests,” Southern African Division Outlook, August 15, 1959.↩