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Democratic Republic Of The Congo (DRC)Hostile
Christian Persecution in Democratic Republic Of The Congo (DRC)
Overview:
While the DRC is one of Africa’s largest countries geographically with a Christian-majority population, Islamist terrorists severely persecute Christians along the DRC’s eastern border. One of the principal persecutors is the Islamist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an affiliate of the Islamic State in the Central African Province (ISCAP). 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 to Islam.
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 The DRC
Christians in the DRC are under immense pressure in areas of the eastern DRC controlled by the ADF. 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 in the northeast. Give Bibles
VOM Work
VOM supports widows and children of pastors and evangelists who were martyred as well as thousands of internally displaced believers who fled widespread Islamist attacks. Give to VOM’s Global Ministry
Prayer Requests:
- Pray that Islamist groups like the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) will stop persecuting Christians.
- Pray for Luce Ibara, a Christian woman whose two daughters were abducted by Islamists.
- Thousands of Congolese Christians have been displaced by Islamists. Pray for their provision and comfort.
- Using Psalm 23 as a guide, pray that Congolese Christians will experience the care and comfort of the Good Shepherd.
- Many churches have been destroyed by Islamists. Pray that the congregations will still have opportunities to fellowship.