The heart of our mission is to
HEAL, EQUIP, EMPOWER.
Champions for Congo partners with Nundu Deaconess Hospital (NDH)
and the Free Methodist Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo
as it provides holistic, compassionate healthcare in Eastern Congo in the name of Jesus.
Our History
1970s–1980s Free Methodist missionaries established early medical outposts in Eastern Congo, laying the foundation for what would become Nundu’s healthcare ministry.
1980s Nundu Hospital Founded – The medical facility at Nundu grew into a referral hospital serving thousands in South Kivu, with a mission to provide holistic and compassionate care.
1980s–1990s Infrastructure Expansion – Under leaders Al Nelson and Randy Matthewson, the hospital expanded into a 100-bed facility.
1984 Dedication – On March 23–25, the hospital was formally dedicated as Nundu Deaconess Hospital (NDH), becoming a sister hospital of Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City, through the vision of Rev. R.E. Butterfield.
1980-1994 Capacity Building – U.S. missionary physicians, including Drs. Kratzer, Hadduck, Fries, and Ogden served faithfully at Nundu alongside Congolese colleagues, helping the hospital strengthen clinical capacity.
1994-2003 Years of War – During ten years of civil conflict, Nundu Hospital endured severe damage and loss, yet continued to provide care amid violence and displacement.
2000s Restoration Era– After the war, restoration of facilities and services began, bringing Nundu Hospital “into a new day” even as poverty and insecurity persisted.
2000s-2010s Nursing School Development – Nundu established a fully accredited School of Nursing adjacent to the hospital, which has since trained over 450 nurses serving across Eastern Congo.
2010s Healthcare Network Growth-The hospital became the anchor of a wider system of 21 health centers and a network of over 100 Community Health Workers, extending care to remote communities.
2010-2020 Champions for Congo Grows– U.S. advocates for Nundu organized Champions for Congo as a project of the Central Africa Healthcare Organization (CAHO) to raise awareness, funding, and volunteer support for Nundu Hospital, its nursing school, and related ministries.
2019 Jali Afya Founded– Local health workers and community members in South Kivu launched Jali Afya, a holistic initiative addressing not only medical needs but also nutrition, education, and economic empowerment.
2020s Collaboration-In this decade, Champions for Congo develops support for Nundu Deaconess Hospital, Jali Afya, the nursing and midwifery school, and the wider clinic network, helping coordinate prayer, funding, and partnerships to strengthen all ministries under a shared vision of holistic health for Eastern Congo.
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease. Matthew 9:35
Healthcare ministries came out of the heart of missionaries who believed that to preach and heal is the evangelistic model Jesus lived. Healthcare is more than a mission of mercy. The Good News is that in the sacrificial death of Jesus we experience hope and healing
There are many creative ways to give and get involved.
Contact us to find out how!
