The Missionary Institute of the Friends of Christ is the English translation of the French acronym IMAC which means "Institut Missionaire des Amis du Christe". IMAC congregation was founded by Archbishop Emery Kabongo Kanundowi on the 5th November, 1991. In November 5th, 1995, a constitution was presented to the friends of Christ as a rule of Life. Consequently, on the 5th of October, 2000, the co
nstitution was approved (ad experimentum) by the congregation for the evangelization of people in Rome. The presence of IMAC congregation in Nigeria was achievable on the arrival of Archbishop Emery Kabongo Kanundowi on the 29th December, 2007 for the Thanksgiving Mass of the first Nigerian priest of IMAC, Revd Fr Raphael C. This outstanding opportunity availed the Archbishop with the opportunity of finalizing the formal inauguration and decisive processes of the congregation in Nigeria. After the inauguration, a vocation board was constituted which included Revd Fr Dr Anthony Onyeocha, Fr Albert Nzeh who was then the vocations coordinator and Revd Fr Raphael C. Ofoegbu, IMAC as the leader of the vocations board. In 2007, the application of some candidates intending to join the congregation was processed and after series of conferences and scrutiny five candidates were admitted as friends of Christ. At the conclusion of their postulancy and novitiate, four out of five pioneer candidates on formation were approved for temporal profession. With hearts full of joy, the father founder, His Grace Archbishop Emery Kabongo Kanundowi received the vows of our brothers at Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy (SMMM) Novitiate on 8th September, 2009. This also marked the second visit of the father founder to Nigerian mission. The congregation has assumed a place in Catholic diocese of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State which serves as the congregation's secretariat. The congregation's stay in Port-Harcourt was made possible with the permission and approval of Most Revd Alexius Makozi the Bishop of Port-Harcourt, now bishop emeritus. It is glad to note that, the temporal profession of the second group of novices took place at the secretariat on the 12th September, 2010. The presence of the secretariat has also made it possible and easy for Catholic worshippers around Azudu Nwogu Street, off Ada George, Rumueme and indeed mile 4 area of Port-Harcourt, to participate actively in the Eucharistic sacrifices on Sundays and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament daily.
