| Country rank | 37 | |
| Last year’s rank | 40 | |
| Region | Africa | |
| Population | 95 241 000 | |
| Christians | 90 570 000 | |
| Main Religion | Christianity |
37Democratic Republic of the Congo
The eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a dangerous place for Christians right now. Rebel groups are fighting for control of the area, including an Islamic extremist group, known as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which openly and brutally targets Christian homes and churches.
Christians in this area live with the threat of kidnapping, and terrible violence is commonplace. The ADF kidnaps women, rapes them and forces them to marry their soldiers, with Christian women sometimes being kept as a kind of ‘trophy’.
There is little chance of justice through the legal system in DRC. Many Christians have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in friendlier villages. Open Doors partners are providing emergency aid for displaced people through local churches.
People who have become Christians from Muslim or indigenous backgrounds face pressure to still participate in traditional religious activities. At the most extreme end of the scale, women who have converted to Christianity may be forcibly married, impregnated or divorced.
Throughout DRC, Christian leaders who speak out against corruption experience harassment and interference from the government.
Meet Joie
“I say thank you for the work that your organisation has done through the local church.”
Joie, displaced by ADF persecution, receiving aid in Komanda village.
Please pray
- For stability and justice to return to eastern DRC.
- That God gives church leaders great wisdom and strength as they look after their members.
- For more opportunities to help churches providing trauma counselling and emergency aid.
How does Open Doors support our family in Democratic Republic of Congo?
Open Doors works through local partners to support Christians in DRC through persecution survival training, economic empowerment projects and trauma care.
