Young Life Democratic Republic of Congo

Reaching the young people of DRC

Young Life began in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2008 and the Lord has worked in powerful ways. Despite political and economic hardship, Young Life in DRC has grown rapidly! We have 247 ministries with almost 2,100 volunteer leaders!

In 2023, leaders knew 323,912 teens by name in DRC.

DRC summary

The Democratic Republic of the Congo was established as a Belgian colony in 1908 and gained its independence in 1960. It became the official “Democratic Republic of the Congo” in 1997 and is still full of significant political tension and strife. From 1994 to 2003, more than five million people died as a result of civil war, and many eastern areas are still plagued by violence as various rebel groups continue to operate there. DRC is the poorest country in the world and is still experiencing the effects of constant militant-led conflicts, widespread rape, exploitation and corrupt government. DRC is made up of almost 90 million people and over 200 African ethnic groups. 48% of the population is under 18 years of age. The main language is French, yet Lingala is a commonly used trade language as well. Nearly 80-90% of the population is Christian--split up between Catholicism, Protestantism and other Christian denominations.

Since 2008, we’ve developed the ministries of Young Life, WyldLife, Capernaum, Young Life University and YoungLives. We have reached an amazing number of kids with the help of a strong team of volunteer leaders. The strength of our leadership is sacrifice; a team ready to sacrifice their own lives to seek and bring kids to Jesus Christ. The security situation in the DRC does not always allow us to openly practice our faith within Young Life so we desperately need prayer.

Stories from DRC

Shots from the field

The craziness of YL

DRC's amazing YL leaders

Who's ready for camp?!

You can't experience YL club without laughter

Work crew working hard

Club in action

Our impact

	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	Growth (2022)
Kids known by name		50,576	64,948	55,942	323,912	479%
Avg. Kids at Clubs	12,082	11,801	10,715	12,514	13,909	11%
Avg. Kids in Campaigners	5,972	4,579	4,854	7,534	7,702	2%
Number of Ministries	175	174	203	218	247	13%
National Staff	14	14	14	14	22	57%
DGL	14	10	8	7
Kids & Leaders to Camp	45	0	6,047	7,713	11,632	50%

Our ministries

Since 2008, we’ve developed the ministries of Young Life, WyldLife, Capernaum, Young Life University and YoungLives. We have reached so many kids with the help of an amazing team of volunteer leaders. The strength of our leadership is sacrifice, a team ready to sacrifice their own lives to seek and bring kids to Jesus Christ. The security situation in the DRC does not allow us at times to openly practice our faith within Young Life so we desperately need prayer.