GEMENA, DR CONGO (March 28, 2012) – More than 5,200 people attended the installation of Jules Mboka as the new president of the Congo Covenant Church (CEUM), which took place as part of a nearly six-hour worship service on Sunday.

Mboka was elected to the four-year term during the denomination’s biennial meeting in January, succeeding President Mossai Sanguma, who was not eligible to seek another term.

Donn Engebretson, executive vice president of the Evangelical Covenant Church, preached from Matthew 3:16-17 and 1 Peter 1:3-11, exhorting the new leaders as well as the gathering “to follow Jesus into the broken places in our world.”

As part of the ceremony, Sanguma presented Mboka with the flag of the CEUM, an act symbolizing the transfer of leadership from the former to the new president. The vice-governor of the region offered words of congratulation.

Conference superintendents from throughout the region traveled great distances by motorcycle, bicycle, and on foot to attend the installation, which was held in the Bokonzo church. The service included several choirs.

“It is clear by the energy and joy of the installation celebration that God is doing great things in the life of our sister church,” Engebretson said following the gathering. “It was a great gift to be a part of this very important transition in the leadership of the CEUM.”