Our Mission

To catalyze the holistic growth of healthy families and communities in places of deep poverty. Working together with partners in Africa and elsewhere, we invest in local efforts in medical and economic development.

Our Mission

To catalyze the holistic growth of healthy families and communities in places of deep poverty. Working together with partners in Africa and elsewhere, we invest in local efforts in medical and economic development.

Our History

In 1964, Dr. Paul Carlson responded to a call to become a medical missionary to the Democratic Republic of Congo with the Evangelical Covenant Church. He and his family traded a then-lucrative $12,000 per year salary for $3,000 per year and a backyard jungle. In the town of Wasolo, he served a population of 100,000 through an 80-bed hospital and a leper colony.

When rebels grew in power and missionaries were forced to evacuate, Paul helped his family to safety. Knowing that he was the last doctor in the area, he returned across the river to continue serving his friends. Soon after, the rebels kidnapped Paul. Even in this difficult time of captivity, Paul was known to be kind and caring, treating the wounds of rebels and their hostages alike, ministering to those around him with both prayer and humor.

On November 24th, 1964, the Belgians and Americans launched a rescue mission for the 1,000 people trapped at Stanleyville. As the paratroopers approached, the rebels opened fire. Many people died that day, and photos of Paul Carlson appeared on the covers of Time and Life magazines to honor the life of the martyred missionary.

Shortly after, Paul Carlson Partnership (then known as “Paul Carlson Medical Program”) was created in his honor to continue his work. In the five decades since, Congo has experienced ongoing war and unrest. Exploitation and conflict have sadly become a way of life. Through it all, PCP has stayed the course with medical and economic development partnerships with the Covenant Church of Congo (CEUM).

Today

This 50+ year legacy in the Democratic Republic of Congo has changed over the years, but our focus on medical and economic development has remained rooted in partnership. We focus on improving medical care by working alongside medical directors and doctors who oversee the healthcare system in the northwest region of Congo. We multiply impact by training Congolese medical professionals through our Medical Ambassador volunteer program. Economic development remains a crucial area of partnership because of obstacles our partners face due to extreme poverty. Focusing on capacity building and sustainability, we contribute to the development of projects, individuals, and organizations committed to long-term growth. We aim work with, not for, people who are making a difference in their own communities.

pcpteam

THE PCP TEAM

Dr. Renée Hale Executive Director

renee.hale@paulcarlson.org

(773) 596-2401

Phil Ditto Director of International Medical and Health Programs

phil.ditto@paulcarlson.org

(773) 907-3309

Rebecca Dangel Director of Partner Communications

becky.dangel@paulcarlson.org

(773) 907-3302

Bob Anderson Partner Engagement Representative

bob.anderson@paulcarlson.org

(773) 907-3370

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ed Delgado, chair
Spring Valley, CA

Dr. Evelyn Loo, secretary
Fremont, CA

Rick Fisk
Mt. Prospect, IL

Sheldon Gilmer
Ontario, Canada

Safy Jacob, vice-chair
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Tammy Swanson-Draheim, ex-officio
President of the Evangelical Covenant Church
Park Ridge, IL

Audrey Mukwavi Matimelo
South Africa

Akaki Luhahi
Bolingbrook, IL

Dan Palmquist, treasurer
Arlington Heights, IL

Grace Shim, ex-officio
Executive Minister of Serve Globally, ECC
Chicago, IL

Larry Anderson
Naperville, IL

HONORARY AND ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

Lois Carlson Bridges
honorary, Spring Valley, CA

Wayne Carlson
honorary, Algonquin, IL

Rev. Theophile Duale Langba,
President of the Covenant Church of Congo (CEUM)

advisory, Gemena, DR-Congo

Glenn Palmberg
advisory, Vashon, WA