Basilwango, Chanceline Oya

Chanceline Oya Basilwango is an international Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service.

The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world.

Chanceline is a lay member of Ibanda United Methodist Church, Bukavu, DRC, related to the Kivu Annual Conference. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in international relations.

At Ibanda UMC, she participated in the Kitumahini choir and served as youth group secretary, helping to organize activities, taking minutes, and fostering communication and growth.

“My spiritual growth,” Chanceline said, “ has been deeply influenced by the core principles of grace, love and justice. From a young age, I was taught that faith is not a solitary journey but must be expressed through service to others. The teachings of John Wesley, especially his emphasis on social holiness and the practical application of faith, have been instrumental in guiding me to put my faith into practice in ways that impact my personal life and the world. The United Methodist Church’s emphasis on social justice, servant leadership and peace aligns closely with the values ​​of my life as a follower of Christ.”

Recognizing that faith is most fully fulfilled when it is put into action drew Chanceline to missionary work. She realizes that an essential ingredient of missionary work is relationship building based on mutual growth, compassion and understanding. “This approach,” she noted, “fosters a deep connection with others in their struggles and provides a space for spiritual and emotional support.”

Chanceline’s background in international relations has enriched her understanding of complex global issues such as poverty, conflict and human rights abuses. “These challenges,” she explained, “have given me a strong sense of responsibility, which has motivated me to take action and work to find solutions. The call to mission seems to me to be a natural extension of my faith and academic pursuits.”

She expecially appreciates the global reach of The United Methodist Church. “Missionary work transcends borders, meeting the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world,” Chanceline said. “I feel called to participate in this work to demonstrate God’s love for all people, contributing to the healing and transformation of a broken world.”

For Chanceline, one appeal of Global Mission Fellows is the opportunity to be with the marginalized to learn with and from them. She is eager to immerse herself in another community and to live her faith by engaging in social issues such as poverty, human rights and inequality.

“In that way,” she said, “serving whether through community development, advocacy or direct service becomes putting into practice a realizable and meaningful faith thing. What truly excites me most is the fellowship’s focus on justice, as I strongly believe that we are called to stand with those who are oppressed and strive toward building an ever-just, fairer society.”

Chanceline believes the program will prepare her for her future career, helping her to develop the practical skills necessary to lead and advocate for change in a global context. She hopes to gain insight on how to work across cultural barriers, communicate effectively with diverse communities and collaborate with local leaders to address complex challenges.

“I will have firsthand experience of a deeper understanding of the systemic causes of injustices and learn to act with compassion and strategic action through that learning experience,” Chanceline said. “The fellowship would challenge me to grow not only as a servant leader but also as a global citizen with the tools and mindset to contribute meaningfully to any future roles I will pursue.

“Critical thinking, understanding of real-world global issues, and the knowledge of working through complex political and social systems have all been provided through my education. I plan to work with those skills to address whatever brings injustice, irrespective of whether it is human rights violations, poverty or systemic inequality.”

She wants to use her international relations knowledge and skills to help communities navigate the global systems that affect their lives. She strives to connect people to international organizations, legal frameworks and resources that support human rights, peace-building and sustainable development.

“My interest in cross-cultural communication and diplomacy,” Chanceline asserted, “would help me build strong relationships with local leaders, organizations and communities. I believe that trust and mutual understanding are prerequisites for effective sustainable solutions. Through this fellowship, I hope to keep developing such skills while learning from the communities I serve and adapting my approach to their unique needs.”