Rachel Ngoy A-Banza is an international Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service. The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world. Rachel is a member of Lokole United Methodist Church in the Central Congo Annual Conference. Her father is a pastor. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in international relations at Africa University, Zimbabwe. She interned for a year in the State Protocol at Foreign Ministry (DRC). “Being a United Methodist pastor’s kid,” she said, “I was involved in the church such as singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school and participating in youth activities.” Although she attended church regularly, Rachel admits she did not have a personal relationship with God. “For years, I limited myself to recognizing Jesus as my Savior,” she said. “I did not respect his teachings, I did not imitate his example and I did not entrust him with my decisions and choices.” Perhaps the first lesson Rachel learned was the power of forgiveness. “When my family arrived in Kinshasa,” she said, “we were discriminated [against], and we did not receive help from others. I had a hard time forgiving them. After receiving Jesus in my life, I forgave myself and all those who had offended me. I confessed, and I repented.” Today, Rachel is a new creature in Christ. “The fruits of the Spirit are manifesting more in my life,” she said. “Jesus transformed me. My old sinful nature gave way to the new nature in Christ. My spirituality continues throughout my life and depends on my practicing the word of God.” She decided to cultivate five positive habits: have a day of personal retreat, do a prayer vigil once a week, read the Bible daily for 30 minutes, talk about Jesus and help someone, and spend two days a week without social networking. In the process, Rachel recalled, “I learned to believe in God. I put all my faith and trust in Jesus. I saw his miracles and received help through several people. I studied through a scholarship. They helped me finish my studies.” Rachel asked God to guide her to the area in which she could best serve. “I got the answer,” she said. “It’s in sharing and charity. Our lives are more meaningful when we are there for others, to have the Ubuntu – “I am because you are” – in my life. I should always care about the well-being of my neighbors. “This is one of the reasons I decided to apply to Global Mission Fellows. If people who volunteered for me were not there, I would not be what I am today, and I could not have the chance [to pay] my financial fees. As a Christian and as the Bible says, we should always help our neighbors. “As long as I am alive and as long as I can do something to put a smile on someone’s face, I should always do it.”

Rose Basilwango Ekoko is an international Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service. The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world. She earned Bachelor of Science and postgraduate degrees in medicine at Evangelical University in Africa, South Kivu, DRC. She is fluent in French, English and Swahili. A member of Nouvelle Jerusalem United Methodist Church in the East Congo Annual Conference, Ekoko has served as youth member and secretary, as well as choir director and president. Sharing her call to mission, she said, “I have experienced spiritual growth over the years. As a child, I was raised in a religious household and had a strong foundation in my faith. I began serving the Lord at the age of 7 as a cantor in the children’s choir up to 11 years old. At 12, I was baptized in The United Methodist Church [New Jerusalem]. I began to participate in youth meetings where we were given biblical subjects to explain. That helped me to develop my spirituality.” When Ekoko was 22, she began leading services and preaching in youth worship. “This increased my intellectual and spiritual knowledge,” she recalled. After she was injured in an accident, she had to recover at home, where she studied the Bible. “This spiritual growth,” she said, “led me to feel a deep sense of calling to mission work.” Ekoko is confident that she is ready for Global Mission Fellows. “My increased spirituality and understanding of my faith,” she explained, “have given me the wisdom and strength to face the difficulties that often accompany mission work, such as working in unfamiliar and sometimes challenging environments and interacting with people from different cultures and backgrounds, and has taught me to approach others with an open heart and mind, to listen and learn from their experiences, and to be a source of comfort and support in times of need. “I want to make a positive impact on the lives of others and share the love and teachings of my faith. Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the positive changes that I have experienced in my life, and I am dedicated to helping others find their own personal growth and spiritual fulfillment.” Ekoko recognizes that her medical expertise is an asset to mission service. She collaborated with Doctors Without Borders in Sud-Kivu, DRC. “As a doctor,” she said, “I am driven by a deep sense of purpose and a profound commitment to serving communities. My passion for medicine is rooted in a belief that every individual, regardless of their background or circumstances, deserves access to compassionate and high-quality health care. Throughout my career, I have witnessed the transformative power of health care in addressing the most pressing challenges facing communities globally. “I am steadfast in my dedication to not only treating illnesses, but also in preventing them and promoting overall wellness. My goal is to bring hope and healing to underserved people, working to overcome barriers to health care access and addressing systemic health disparities. I am committed to leveraging my medical expertise to empower individuals and communities, working collaboratively to develop sustainable solutions that address the complex health needs of diverse people. Ekoko added, “I am passionate about advocating for health equity and playing a role in improving health outcomes on a global scale. Additionally, my vision as a Global Mission Fellow is to foster meaningful connections, engage in culturally sensitive care and provide compassionate support to those in need. I am unwavering in my commitment to serving as a catalyst for positive change, and I am eager to embark on this journey of service.”