Ministry in Congo: Prieb Family Legacy
Garry Prieb first traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with his missionary parents, Arnold and Rose Prieb, as a one-year-old. His firsthand experience and his parents’ 30-year legacy of ministry led Garry to become the advisor for an endowment named in his parents’ honor.
The Arnold and Rose Prieb Endowment was established by a donor with the same passion for missions and evangelism in the DRC held by the Priebs. This connection grew as the donor, during the last years of his life, began contributing financial support through MB Foundation for scholarships to train Mennonite Brethren pastors and evangelists in their home environment in DRC. The financial support helped train 30 to 40 students per year.
Desiring training opportunities for future generations in DRC, the donor set up an endowment from his estate plan to continue the support even after his death. He asked Garry to be the advisor for the distribution of funds under the management of MB Foundation.
The donor’s heart for evangelism and expanding the number in church leadership in DRC live on, past his earthly life. In 2020 endowment funds provided scholarships for 137 students attending Bible school and 20 more who studied in higher-level education. It helped Congolese Mennonite Brethren plant 44 new MB churches.
MB Foundation distributes a payout of approximately $65,000 a year from the Arnold and Rose Prieb Endowment for ministry in DRC. Garry is actively involved with church leadership in Congo to direct the funds where needed most. His connections and passion for leadership training keep him engaged with the opportunities for evangelism and growth within the MB churches. One such need was funding sent to provide Bibles for members of two child militia groups, encouraging them to exchange their guns for Bibles.
Prieb is enthusiastic about the work God is doing in DRC. “The endowment payouts, under the management of MB Foundation, increased yearly. This relates directly to the number of available scholarships for leadership training, funds for church planting, and the distribution of Bibles,” said Garry Prieb. “What is happening today will affect the future of DRC.”
With the Arnold and Rose Prieb Endowment in place, funds will be available to teach the next generation about Jesus for years to come.
Pictured above: Garry Prieb (right) with Jacques Pilipili, the coordinator of the Mennonite Brethren Church in North and South Kivu in eastern Congo.
For more details about the Mennonite Brethren work in DRC read Trading Bullets for Bibles published by Christian Leader, January 2022.