“I will bring the Democratic Republic of the Congo back to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for My Name!”
but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’(Nehemiah 1:9,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Africa
Population | 108.04 million
Area | 2,344,858㎢, The third largest country in Central Africa.
Capital City | Kinshasa (13.16 million people)
People Groups | Total 230 groups, Bantu people groups 80% (Bakongo 12.2%, Luba-Lulua 11.4%), Sudanic 10%, Adamawa-Ubangi 4%, Nilotic 1.5%, Pygmies 1.5%
Unreached People Groups | 0
Official Language(s) | French (official), Lingala, Swahili
Total Languages | 225
Bible Translations | Completed 44, New Testament 35, Partial 46
Religion | Christianity 91.6% (Protestant 22%, Catholic 39%), Ethnic religions 5.5%, Islam 1.6%, Evangelicals 19.2%(20.74 million people)
》 About Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has a long, painful history of slavery, colonization, and war. From the 14th to the 19th centuries, the Kingdom of Congo ruled the Congo River area. In 1878, Belgium’s King Leopold II claimed the land as personal property, exploiting it for 30 years and causing over 10 million deaths. Belgium officially took control in 1908, and the country gained independence in 1960. In 1965, Mobutu seized power and renamed the country Zaire, ruling with extreme corruption for 32 years. In 1997, Laurent Kabila took power and renamed the country DRC. A brutal civil war began in 1998, with support from neighboring countries. Even after a peace agreement in 1999, violence continued, and Kabila was assassinated in 2001. His son Joseph Kabila ruled until 2018. The current president, Félix Tshisekedi, was elected in 2018. Despite efforts for peace, over 100 armed groups are still active, and the UN has run MONUSCO(United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC), one of the world’s largest peacekeeping missions, since 1999.
Although DRC is rich in natural resources like minerals, water, and farmland, it remains one of the poorest countries in the world due to corruption, weak infrastructure, and ongoing conflict. About 63% of the population lives below the poverty line. Most people depend on farming, but there is not enough usable land. Copper is the main export, but its price has dropped since 2015, reducing government income. Inflation nearly hit 50% in 2017, and over 5 million people have been displaced due to violence.
DRC’s GDP per capita is approximately $686.
》 Scripture Focus
| Nehemiah 1:3-5, 8-10(NIV) 3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” 4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5 Then I said: “LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 8 “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’ 10 “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.” |
》 Prayer Points
1. In 1900, only 1.4% of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo were Christians. Today, it’s over 91%. Evangelicals have grown tenfold since 1960. Even through dictatorships, civil war, and chaos, many believers stayed faithful—even to death. Many churches and mission centers were destroyed, but Christians stepped in to care for people when the government could not. Today, Christians run most hospitals, clinics, and schools, playing a major role in society. The Congolese Christian Church (ECC) brings together 65 denominations. But many Christians still don’t understand salvation by faith and grace. False teachings like prosperity gospel, magic, and spiritual mixing have spread. Some churches grew quickly by promising wealth and misusing authority. Let us pray for the church to return to the truth of the Bible, grow in real faith, and rebuild the nation like Nehemiah.
2. Congo has a deep spiritual heritage, built on the sacrifice of missionaries. WEC’s original mission, The Heart of Africa, began here. Though civil war and poor conditions have reduced the number of missionaries, many groups still work with local churches. There’s still great need for church planting, discipleship, Bible translation, media, and medical work. Groups like MAF, AIM, UFM, AoG, and others are active, and many hospitals are run by churches. Let us pray for every unreached group to hear the gospel and for more Bible translators in every language.
3. Women and children suffered the most in the war. It’s estimated that 400,000 women were raped, and thousands of children were forced into armed groups. Some returned, but many are still missing. With 65% of the population under 24, education is a huge challenge. Poverty, lack of teachers, and poor resources make it hard. Still, churches and missions continue to provide learning. Over 5 million children are not receiving education in schools. Many live in refugee camps or on the streets, at risk of abuse and trafficking. Let us pray for Youth to rise up from this suffering—strong in faith and love. May all rebel groups be disbanded, and may many come to know Christ and live changed lives.
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