DR CONGO: Church Attacks Result in Fatalities and Kidnappings

Source: VOMC
Sources: Open Doors, Barrons, Al-Mayadeen, Voice of America

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.