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Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Hostile

Overview:

While the DRC is one of Africa’s largest countries geographically with a Christian-majority population, Islamist groups severely persecute Christians along the DRC’s eastern border. One of the principal persecutors is the Islamist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). The ADF is active in the Rwenzori Mountain area and seeks to establish Islamic law throughout the region. When rebels capture groups of people, they often release Muslims while killing Christians who refuse to convert.

Major Religion:

90 percent are Christians, and 5 percent follow ethnic religions.

Persecutor:

Islamic extremists located in the east are the main persecutors.

What It Means To Follow Christ In DRC:

The church is under immense pressure in the eastern DRC. In areas controlled by the ADF, Christian villages have been raided, churches destroyed and hundreds of believers brutally killed. Dozens of local Christians have been abducted by the ADF and told to recant their faith in Christ and convert to Islam. Those abducted have witnessed horrific acts of violence against fellow Christians. Prior to the outbreak of violence, one church denomination had 25 churches in the Beni area; today they have eight. Another denomination had 54 churches and now has 11. Other denominations report similar patterns.

Access To Bibles:

Bibles are available in cities but not in rural areas. Children’s Bibles and Bibles in Swahili are highly desired. Give Bibles

VOM Work:

VOM supports the children of two local missionaries who were martyred as well as nearly 2,000 internally displaced believers who fled widespread Islamist attacks. Give to VOM’s Global Ministry

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for Grace, who was abducted and watched her family members murdered by Islamists.
  • Pray for pastors whose church buildings have been destroyed by Islamists.
  • Pray for the children of two local missionaries who were martyred.
  • Pray for the nearly 2,000 internally displaced believers who fled widespread Islamist attacks.
  • Pray for Matendo, who suffered a head injury while fleeing from Islamists.