On September 13, the installation service for the fifth head minister of Congo Brazzaville Church, Rev. Pierre Bazebibaka, was performed in the presence of Tenrikyo Director-in-Chief of Administrative Affairs Masahiko Iburi, Congo Brazzaville Church Counselor Naohisa Takai and Tenrikyo Overseas Department Head Yoshiaki Mihama. The church is located at Parcelle 59, Section A-2, Meteo, Bacongo, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.

Ever since 1966, when the church was founded, the path in the Congo has been rather difficult because of coups d'etat and civil wars. In January 1998, in particular, Mr. Alphonse Nsonga, the former head minister, had to go to France for medical treatment, leaving the church without a leader during times of intense problems; the church building was partially destroyed and the properties were plundered during armed strife that broke out nearby toward the end of that year. To respond to this difficult situation, Europe and Africa Section Chief Toshiyuki Takahashi and a number of staff members from the Overseas Department were sent to Brazzaville in turn and worked together with the local followers to rebuild the church.

After struggling through such difficult circumstances, the church finally reached the day of the installation service. On this memorable occasion, when the mission in the Congo made a fresh start, over 200 followers gathered and resolved to make great strides with their minds in unison toward the 120th Anniversary of Oyasama and the 40th anniversary of the church--both of which will be observed in 2006.