James Byensi is currently an associate pastor of the Evangelical church of central Africa where he has served over 10 years as the Mission and Outreach director. Amidst the conflicts that have engulfed the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), James founded and directs The Rebuilders Ministry, a remarkable NGO situated in the city of Bunia, in the Ituri Province, Eastern DRC where millions of people have perished and millions more are today internally displaced by the untold ongoing violence.
A nation blessed with abundant natural resources, the DRC has experienced decades of strife, particularly in its eastern regions. The troubles are filled by a complex web of historical and international interests and tensions over minerals, power struggles, and resource exploitation. This intricate web has resulted in an overwhelming trail of devastation and loss throughout the country. Millions have perished, and other millions have been displaced from their homes and villages, suffering the devastating consequences of these conflicts which are almost unknown in the western world.
Pastor James and the Rebuilders team works every day to rebuild shattered lives and communities in the DRC. From preaching and training pastors, leading peacebuilding and advocacy meetings, promoting education, rebuilding churches and schools destroyed by the conflicts, aiding vulnerable women and children with foods and education funds, offering vocational training for over 2000 youths, establishing farms where Internally Displace People (IDPs) from different villages work together to ensure food security to all, starting a radio station broadcasting messages of peace into a region of constant conflict, starting a Christian school, James and his team are preaching through actions the message of hope amidst despair and violence.
James’ personal journey is deeply intertwined with the suffering of his people. Born into poverty and raised in a village devoid of basic amenities, he not only pursued education, including a master’s degree in leadership studies in Kenya, against all odds but also suffered personal losses during the conflict. The tragic killing of his 16 relatives in the tribal wars has become a driving force that ignited his passion for social justice, peace, peacebuilding, and community transformation. James’ commitment to rebuilding communities continues to expose him to danger on numerous occasions even in march this year he was forced to urgently evacuate Bunia with his entire family for 45 days because a local militia group threatened to harm them, and they are since forced to live under 24/7 armed police guard.
On the other hand, James’s dedication and consistent efforts have earned him both local and international recognition. Honors like The Congo President’s Medal of Merit and the Universal Peace Ambassador’s certificate. He has also been invited as a keynote speaker to conferences focusing on peace and reconciliation held in diverse locations such as Kenya, Thailand, South Africa, the Jimmy Carter Center in Atlanta, and the US State Department in Washington. These recognitions exemplify James’s dedication as he and his Rebuilders team dare to live to serve others and hope for change.
James is married to Riziki, and together they have three children. With their team at Rebuilders and their local church, they pursue a vision of transforming their community, ending violence, and bringing peace, one life at a time. They covet your prayers for the frontline work the Lord has called them to do.