Congo Kid - Life Stories

This is the 7th episode in this 7 part series about the mission work of the Evangelical Free Church in the Belgian Congo. The work started in 1920 with Titus Johnson being the visionary and initial driver of establishing the work. The last 6 episodes has been a detailed journey of the founding of our mission, the long journey and process to establish mission stations in the Ubangi area, the physical and emotional losses of the early missionaries, including health issues and loss of life. 19 so far have died in the effort. 3 evacuations due to political and military turmoil disrupted the work. Governmental restrictions in the early 1970’s along with friction in handling the hand-off from the missionaries to the Congolese church was also part of the journey. One more saint dies, and you will hear that story. Yet, from 1998 through the present, the church has grown and flourished, and you will hear about that.  Thanks to Norma Colby for sharing about the passing of her husband, Dr. Bill Colby. Jim Snyder gives a recap of the 100 year celebration of the mission work held in 2022. Also Jim and Craig Wickstrom share about how the Congolese Free Church and Congolese Covenant church are continuing their work with the home missions boards only providing guidance, support and counsel. And appreciation is given to Nubako Selenga who gives the Congolese perspective of the work. He now is a missionary to his own people, the Congolese. Also thank those that provided voice-overs for this episode.  The lookback of the past 100 years of this journey is humbling and amazing. Trials, too many to count resulted in many triumphs. The faithfulness, sacrifice and perseverance of all the missionaries over the years to do their part in furthering the mission work and establishment of the church is evident.

**Rated in 2026 to the TOP 25 Best “Life Stories” Themed Podcasts Worldwide – https://blog.feedspot.com/life_stories_podcasts/

Clarice Hogberg
Friday Market – Limpoko
Dr. Titus Johnson – Sweden
Dr. Titus Johnson – Order of the Leopard Ceremony
Memory Bench – Elizabeth Hope Carlson
Village / Canoe – Limpoko
This is the 6th episode in this 7 part series about the mission work of the Evangelical Free Church in the Belgian Congo. The work started in 1920 with Titus Johnson being the visionary and initial driver of establishing the work. Episode 1-5 discussed the difficult journey to get to the Ubangi region in NW Congo and the long process to establish the first 3 stations. From there, every ten years or so, several more stations were expanded into. But the cost of the loss of life was significant, with many adults and children succumbing to sickness or disease, as medical care was minimal initially. Then in the early 1970’s, the government restricted the mission efforts, the local church wanted more control. In this episode, covering 1973 to 1997, we discuss continued governmental restrictions placed on the mission. A university level seminary was established, the Ngbaka Bible translation of the New Testament was completed, and Zongo was established as a mission station. Work then spread to the water people who lived in the swamps south of Tandala. Two evacuations occur during this time period. You will hear about the passing of Clarice Hogberg in 1973 and Dr. Titus Johnson, the founder of our mission dying in 1974.  Another infant dies and a career missionary also passes away. I extend special thanks to Dr. Maynard Hogberg for sharing about the loss of his sister, Clarice. Also Mary Ann Ahlgren who was at Clarice’s bedside during her last hours. Dan and Karen Carlson share about losing their daughter, Elizabeth Hope. Thanks too for Jim Aiken and Dave and Patsy Alfors for sharing details about Zongo and Limpoko, respectively. David Oldberg recites from his father’s Master’s thesis. Also thank those that provided voice-overs for this episode.



**Rated in 2026 to the TOP 25 Best “Life Stories” Themed Podcasts Worldwide – https://blog.feedspot.com/life_stories_podcasts/

Karawa station
Dr. Paul Carlson Funeral
Cessna 185 – 9Q-CMU

This is the 5th episode in this 7 part series about the mission work of the Evangelical Free Church in the Belgian Congo. The work started in 1920 with Titus Johnson being the visionary and initial driver of establishing the work. Episode 1 discussed the difficult journey to get to the Ubangi region in NW Congo and the long process to establish the first 3 stations. Episode 2 saw 3 more stations established. Yet these advancements included missionary adults and children succumbing to the harsh climate and disease. One person died at from a German submarine torpedo in the Atlantic. Episode 3 included 4 more stations established and an infant and 1 adult tragically passing away. The 4th episode entailed 3 more stations set up and 3 more people dying on the field. This episode covers 1963 – 1972, which included a rebellion, evacuation, a coup d’etat and considerable political turmoil.  Dr. Paul Carlson was martyred by the rebels, and that became international news. But from that, a medical foundation was established. Paul Noren shares about Loko and Doug Thorpe elaborates on Karawa.  Also, an airplane was secured, which eased traveling considerably.There was a 50 year celebration commemorating Dr. Titus Johnson’s initial efforts in establishing the mission work. But the transition from the missionary oversight of the church to the Congolese was fraught with disagreements and friction, as well as governmental intervention, nationalization and other changes. Thanks too for Craig and Marv Wickstrom’s insights regarding this difficult time period.   I extend special thanks to Lois Carlson Bridges for sharing about the loss of her husband. Also thanks to those that provided voice-overs for this episode.

**Rated in 2026 to the TOP 25 Best “Life Stories” Themed Podcasts Worldwide – https://blog.feedspot.com/life_stories_podcasts/

Goyongo Chapel
This is the 4th episode in this 7 part series about the mission work of the Evangelical Free Church in the Belgian Congo. The work started in 1920 with Titus Johnson being the visionary and initial driver of establishing the work. Episode 1 discussed the difficult journey to get to the Ubangi region in NW Congo and the long process to establish the first 3 stations. Episode 2 saw 3 more stations established. Yet these advancements included missionary adults and children succumbing to the harsh climate and disease. One person died at from a German submarine torpedo in the Atlantic. Episode 3 included 4 more stations established and an infant and 1 adult tragically passing away. This episode covers 1953 – 1962, which included Congo’s independence and the subsequent evacuation and political turmoil. More stations were procured, constructed and established during this time. Several were easily procured and several faced barriers to entry. You will hear about 4 mission stations: Ngwenje, Tandala, Goyongo, and Bumba, as described by Dr. Tim Wester, Thelma Landrud, John Lundquist, and Dan Noren. And 2 infants and 1 adult pass away in the time period. I extend special thanks to Aldy Almquist for sharing about the loss of his brother, and Dr. Gretchen Berggren for sharing about the loss of her son. And to David Lundblad for sharing about Clyde Carlson. Also thanks to Jeff Peterson, Rick Selin, the others that provided voice-overs for this episode.

**Rated in 2024 through 2026 to the TOP 25 Best “Life Stories” Themed Podcasts Worldwide – https://blog.feedspot.com/life_stories_podcasts/

Timothy Lambie Norton Grave – lived a day and a half
Evelyn Noren – Struck by lightning
This is the 3rd episode in this 7 part series about the mission work of the Evangelical Free Church in the Belgian Congo. The work started in 1920 with Titus Johnson being the visionary and initial driver of establishing the work. Episode 1 discussed the difficult journey to get to the Ubangi region in NW Congo and the long process to establish the first 3 stations. Episode 2 saw 3 more stations established. Yet these advancements included missionary adults and children succumbing to the harsh climate and disease. One person died from a German submarine torpedo in the Atlantic. This episode covers 1948 – 1952, which saw considerable growth in the mission footprint, the church, and advancements in spiritual maturity by the Congolese. Wasolo, Libenge, Badja, and Gemena stations were all procured, constructed and established during this time. Several were easily procured and several faced barriers to entry. You will hear about Timothy Norton’s tragic death in 1949 from his older brother, who was there.  And about Evelyn Noren’s instant death, as told by one of her students, back in 1952.  Thanks to Dean and Gretchen Samuelson, Bev Nyberg, Jay Dangers and Roger and Sally Eales for sharing about living at each of the new mission stations; Wasolo, Libenge, Badja, and Gemena. And special thanks to Dr. Will Norton Jr. for sharing his memories of his little brother Timothy’s 2 days on this earth and the impact on his family. And David Lundblad recounts discovering his school teacher, Evelyn Noren, deceased in their classroom, followed by the funeral and time of loss. I also thank those that provided voice-overs, including Juliana and Ellie Shay, Tim Snow and Jeff Peterson for this episode.

**Rated in 2026 to the TOP 25 Best “Life Stories” Themed Podcasts Worldwide – https://blog.feedspot.com/life_stories_podcasts/