Partner with Local Missionaries in
Democratic Republic of Congo

Population:

89 million

Evangelical population:

19%

People groups:

229

Unreached people groups:

4

Democratic Republic of Congo

Nearly one-fourth the size of the United States, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is located in central Africa and borders Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

The largest country in sub-Saharan Africa and second-largest country in Africa, the DRC straddles the equator and is home to dense tropical rainforest. An extraordinary amount of precipitation preserves the Congo Rainforest, the second-largest rain forest in the world after the Amazon. The Congo River basin, which flows through the entire country, is the deepest river in the world. The river and its tributaries underlie the country’s economics and transportation.

Despite its vast natural resources, the DRC’s economy performs poorly. Corruption, mismanagement, and ongoing conflict have left the country without basic infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Two million children are at risk of starvation and nearly 30 percent of children under age 5 are malnourished.

With over 200 people groups, the DRC’s population is highly diverse. It is the most populous Francophone country in the world. The Kongo and Luba are DRC’s largest people groups; evangelical believers comprise nearly 20 percent of these groups.

More than 100 armed groups are active in the DRC, particularly in the eastern portion of the country. Conflict between rebel groups and Congolese armed forces have displaced approximately 4.5 million people. Used as a weapon by most of the armed groups, sexual violence is rampant in DRC; the eastern part of the country has been called the “rape capital of the world.” The UN maintains over 16,500 peacekeepers in the country, its largest and most expensive peacekeeping mission in the world.

An indigenous ministry whose medical center has saved the lives of thousands of people who would have otherwise died from disease, illness, or infection requests assistance to continue its good work. They also ask for help to supplement their sewing program for girls and women who are victims of sexual violence. “In our African societies, to be raped is a taboo act which qualifies a girl or woman to be considered as a prostitute” the ministry leader said. Sewing will equip these victims to support themselves in a dignified manner. Along with the training, the ministry hopes to supply each student with her own sewing machine.

Other ministry needs include assistance to rebuild several churches that were burned in the conflict between armed groups and funding to care for destitute widows and to provide poor children with food, clothing, school fees, and medical care.

Sources: Joshua Project, CIA World Factbook, Wikipedia

Congolese man and two boys working on a brick building

How to Pray for the Democratic Republic of Congo

  • Pray that God’s peace would reign in this terribly divided county marked by war and violence.
  • Pray for a revival among the country’s vast population, that the gospel would rapidly spread and transform hearts and lives.
  • Pray for protection and provision for native believers working to bring God’s wholeness and healing to broken lives and communities.