80% of the world’s evangelical Christians live in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Over the last 50 years, God’s church has grown exponentially in these areas.

These regions have tremendous mission sending potential to help bring the gospel to unreached peoples, but they currently send only 20% of the world’s cross-cultural missionaries!

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This infographic provides a visual score for seven data points ranked on a 0 to 100 scale. Faded icons show scores for other countries on the mobilization index. See below for actual scores and country-specific insights.

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A Spiritual Crossroads in Central Africa

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is witnessing a critical spiritual shift. Since the late 20th century, Central Africa has become a focal point for Islamic outreach, with economic hardship and unemployment making vulnerable populations susceptible to conversion. In Kinshasa alone, the number of mosques has surged from 6 in 1995 to nearly 500 today. Muslims often use strategies like small-scale commerce, intermarriage, and financial assistance to engage young Christians, many of whom face profound poverty.

Equipping Leaders for Gospel Impact

To counter this trend, the New Life Training Center, under the leadership of Pastor Roger Ibengi, hosted a vital training session from November 28&ndash;29. Supported by <a href="http://www.vianations.org" rel="follow">Via</a>, the <a href="https://encounteringmuslims.org/pages/vision-5-9?_pos=1&amp;_psq=vision&amp;_ss=e&amp;_v=1.0" rel="follow">Vision 5:9 Network</a>, and <a href="https://encounteringmuslims.org" rel="follow">Encountering Muslims</a>, the event brought together 56 church leaders to equip them for effective gospel outreach among Muslims. Participants were introduced to tools like the&nbsp;<a href="/resources/gods-heart-for-muslims" rel="follow">God&rsquo;s Heart for Muslims</a> study, which highlights commonalities between the Bible and the Quran, helping to foster relational and Christ-centered dialogue.
&ldquo;This training is a call to action,&rdquo; Roger Ibengi shared. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not just about understanding; it&rsquo;s about empowering leaders to become ambassadors for Christ in their communities. We are equipping them with tools and confidence to transform lives with the gospel.&rdquo;
Church leaders left the training inspired and equipped to engage with their Muslim neighbors. As Roger Ibengi emphasized, &ldquo;The gospel is our most powerful tool. Through Christ&rsquo;s love, we can bridge divides and bring hope to those who need it most.&rdquo;

A poignant example of the power of this ministry is the testimony of &ldquo;Innocent Balibi,&rdquo; (not real name). Born into a Muslim family in Bandundu Province, Innocent Balibi was groomed to become an Islamic leader. His father, a prominent Muslim representative, arranged for him to study at the Islamic University of Sudan. However, during a Christian evangelistic campaign in 2017, Innocent Balibi encountered the message of John 3:16 and surrendered his life to Christ. Facing threats from his father, Innocent Balibi fled to Kinshasa, where he was baptized in 2018 at the New Life Church. Today, he is enrolled at New Life University, preparing to bring the gospel to his former Muslim peers.

The rapid growth of mosques in Kinshasa reflects broader Islamic outreach efforts. Many mosques serve as centers for Koranic schools, outreach campaigns, and financial aid programs, often offering financial incentives to new converts. Radical elements within these activities sometimes breed hostility toward Christianity. In areas like Nsele, Koranic schools focus exclusively on Islamic doctrines, producing fervent followers with limited general education. Scholarships funded by Wahhabi organizations in Saudi Arabia and Qatar create a growing radicalized Muslim elite. All of these things emphasize the need for gospel-centered engagement.

Collaborative Efforts for Kingdom Growth

Amid these challenges, the collaborative efforts of <a href="http://www.vianations.org" rel="follow">Via</a>, <a href="https://encounteringmuslims.org/pages/vision-5-9?_pos=1&amp;_psq=vision&amp;_ss=e&amp;_v=1.0" rel="follow">Vision 5:9</a>, and <a href="https://encounteringmuslims.org" rel="follow">Encountering Muslims</a> have been instrumental in providing Biblical tools to help motivate local Christians to action. Their support enables leaders like Roger Ibengi and his team to mobilize the church for effective outreach. By building relationships with young converts and promoting dialogue rooted in Christ&rsquo;s love, these efforts aim to transform communities and counteract radical influences.
Your prayers and support are vital as this ministry expands across the DRC. Stories like Innocence Balibi&rsquo;s remind us of God&rsquo;s faithfulness and the transformative power of his Word. Together, we press on to see lives changed and his kingdom grow.

Mobilizing for the Gospel in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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