INERA BONGABO, DR CONGO (January 27, 2012) – It was a recurring dream that led the new president of the Congo Covenant Church (CEUM) to pursue ministry shortly after graduating from high school.

Jules Mboka and Vice President Jacque Vungbo Sambo were elected last week during the denomination’s national gathering. They will assume office March 1.

Mboka had completed high school in 1989 and twice dreamed that God was calling him to leave harvesting corn and go to “another field to harvest,” he says.

He married his wife, Charlotte Nguwala Mboka, in 1990. The couple has four girls.

Mboka started his theological studies at the Institute Superior Theologique Evangelique de l’Ubangi) at Goyongo. He graduated in 1994. He served several CEUM churches before becoming the chief of staff for the denomination’s president, Mossai Sanguma. He held that post from 2004-2008.

After returning to school to earn his master’s degree in systematic theology at the Bangui Evangelical School of Theology, he served as the CEUM head of the Department of Evangelism and Mission, a position he has held since 2010.

Vungbo also is a graduate of the Institute Superior Theologique Evangelique de l’Ubangi. In addition to serving the church in Pangoma, he served as the conference superintendent for the Gbado-Gboketsa region for four years.

He earned his master’s degree at the Bangui Evangelical School of Theology. He is married to Claudine Vungbo.

Click here to read a previous story on the election and national gathering.

Editor’s note: To see more photos of the event, visit Evangelical Covenant Church missionary Pete Ekstrand’s Facebook page.