Bishop Emeritus Jason Bya’Ene Akulu Ilangyi went to be with his Lord June 19, 2009, at the age of 79 years after an extended period of deteriorating health. He is survived by his wife, Mauwa Bettina, and their three children. 

He provided visionary leadership to the Free Methodist Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) from its beginning in 1964 until 2003. During those years the Free Methodist Church in the DRC grew to be the largest body of Free Methodists in the world. Under his leadership the church opened Bible institutes, many primary and secondary schools, a hospital, a nursing school, and health centers, providing important services to tens of thousands of churched and unchurched people.