A Mennonite Brethren church made up primarily of Congolese congregants near Cincinnati has closed and reopened following allegations of sexual misconduct by the pastor.

Denominational magazine Christian Leader reported leaders from Eastern District Conference of the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches learned in December of allegations involving Jules Mukaba, then pastor of Restoration Church in West Chester, Ohio.

As more details came to light, the EDC Board of Faith and Life revoked Mukaba’s pastoral license and removed him from his role. He then left the United States, and attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful.

Christian Leader reported EDC leaders met resistance when they tried to engage and support Mukaba’s family. They learned later the pastor’s wife was arrested on related charges, including child endangerment.

Restoration Church formally closed at the end of 2025 and relaunched in February under the name Evangelical Mission Church Redeemer. Deacon Michael Tenga, who served as a deacon and elder in the Democratic Republic of Congo until relocating in 2015 to the U.S., has been appointed to serve as pastor.

The congregation has been in existence for about two decades. In 2024 it became the second USMB immigrant congregation to receive CORD funding (Connecting, Organizing, Retooling and Developing) with $55,500 over three years to connect such churches to USMB resources and develop leaders capable of shepherding healthy churches.