Church Attacks Result in Fatalities and Kidnappings

A group of Christians are praying together.
Photo: Wikimedia / Steve Evans (cc)

Members of the Eglise Message du Temps church are calling for "fervent prayer" after being struck by an attack on January 30th. The church is located within the community of Baeti in the northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The attackers have been identified as members of a militant group associated with ISIS.

According to the community's mayor, a total of eight people were killed in the attack – five of whom had gathered inside the church for worship when the invasion took place. At least 30 other congregation members were reportedly kidnapped, including the church's pastor and his wife. The couple's two children were included among those who were tragically killed.

Only two weeks prior to this incident, a bomb exploded inside a Pentecostal church in Kasindi, a town located along the border neighbouring Uganda. That attack occurred on January 14th during the believers' Sunday morning worship service. The militants claimed that 20 Christians were killed in the blast; however, at last report, the death toll stood at 14, with at least 63 people wounded. A Kenyan suspect has since been detained by the authorities.

Since 2021, a rebel group known as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) has launched attacks throughout the region, resulting in a "state of siege" for the residents. While the violence centres around the group's efforts to establish an Islamic state, Christians have frequently been targeted in the conflict. Unfortunately, the terrorism of this militant group, which started in Uganda, has now spread into neighbouring DR Congo. Recent reports indicate that the rebels are particularly active in the DR Congo's Kivu province. More information on the persecution of Christians in this war-torn nation is available here.

Please prayerfully uphold our African Christian brothers and sisters in the DR Congo as they mourn the loss of loved ones who were slain during these recent attacks. May the victims' family members and friends tangibly sense our Heavenly Father's love, peace and comforting presence with them. Also remember the survivors who were taken captive by the rebels, praying that they will be divinely protected and released unharmed. In the midst of the ongoing violence, may God mightily intervene in the hearts and minds of people throughout the country – including the militants of the attacks – so that lasting peace will reign in the region.

  • Country Information

    Population
    111,859,928 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    More than 200 ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu

    Religion (%)
    Christian (93.1), Kimbanguist (2.8), Muslim (1.3) other (1.2), none (1.3) (2014 est.)

    Leader
    President Felix Tshisekedi (2019)

    Government type
    Semi-presidential republic

    Legal system
    Civil law based on Belgian law along with customary and tribal law.

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for DRC

    Pray for protection for Christians in DRC facing violence in the midst of a war-torn nation. Remember the pastors and members of churches destroyed by militant Islamic groups. Remember all those who have been displaced due to violence.(Acts 20:24). Ask God to encourage them to keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in their faith, and not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 10:32-39; Hebrews 12:1-3).

DR Congo News

  • Multitudes Killed While Attending Funeral Wake
    An open grave with many deceased individuals is surrounded by a large group of people.
    Mourners gather for a mass burial.
    Photo: Open Doors US

    On the night of September 8th, Christians who had gathered at a funeral home in Ntoyo, a village in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), were brutally attacked by militants armed with guns and machetes. The assault resulted in the fatalities of numerous believers, the kidnapping of many surviving victims, and the burning of 16 homes.

  • Dozens Killed in Church Attack
    A church building is surrounded by palm trees.
    A church in the DR Congo
    Photo: Pixnio / Brian W.J. Mahy

    During the early hours of Sunday, July 27th, more than 40 Christians were killed when Islamic militants attacked a church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The worshippers had gathered for a late-night prayer meeting at their church in Komanda, a town located in the province of Ituri, when members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) suddenly entered the building and began to shoot those who were present. In addition to attacking the church, the militants set fire to several houses and shops in the community. Reports also indicate that at least 20 children were taken hostage during the raid.

  • Church Attacks Result in Fatalities and Kidnappings
    A group of Christians are praying together.
    Photo: Wikimedia / Steve Evans (cc)

    Members of the Eglise Message du Temps church are calling for "fervent prayer" after being struck by an attack on January 30th. The church is located within the community of Baeti in the northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The attackers have been identified as members of a militant group associated with ISIS.

  • Increasing Violence by IS Terrorists
    A large fire
    IS celebrated killing ''over 100 Christians'' in March.
    Photo: al-Naba

    According to an analysis conducted by BBC Monitoring, the self-declared terrorist group, Islamic State (IS), and its affiliated members have significantly escalated a campaign of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. During the first half of 2023, the terrorists claimed to have instigated 58 violent attacks in the DR Congo, targeting those whom they identify as Christians. These attacks are concentrated in the eastern provinces of North Kivu and Ituri.