Kimbangu lived in Africa's heart: Congo

Born into what was then the Belgian Congo, Kimbangu was converted by the Baptist missionary society in 1915. He worked as a catechist, preparing people for baptism. He received a vision which inspired him to become a preacher and healer. At first he avoided this call, but in 1921 carried out a six-month preaching mission. This became a revival, and then a mass movement with several dimensions: spiritual--Kimbangu was known both for preaching and performing miraculous cures;. moral--among his followers he outlawed polygamy and sorcery other traditional practices; national--the movement was also anti-European and strongly nationalist. Fearing a revolt, the Belgians imprisoned Kimbangu for 30 years. Kimbangu died in prison but his movement continued to grow. The Church of Jesus Christ on Earth, also called Kimbanguism, became one of the largest African Independent Churches.