People group profile · PG014620
The Lobala of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Lobala of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, numbering about 143,000 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are a people who historically governed the Ubangi River trade town of Dongo in Congo's Equateur Province, later losing economic and political influence to the neighboring Boba, a decline that fed into a violent 2009 conflict over fishing rights.
They are an indigenous people in the Bantu, Central-Congo people cluster of the Sub-Saharan African Peoples. Their primary religion is Ethnoreligion, and they primarily speak Lobala.
Fast facts
- Country
- Congo, Democratic Republic of the
- Population
- 143,000
- Affinity group
- Sub-Saharan African Peoples
- People cluster
- Bantu, Central-Congo
- Primary language
- Lobala (loq)
- Primary religion
- Ethnoreligion
- Strategic Progress Index
- Engaged yet Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Expanding Unreached People Group
- Region
- Middle Africa, Africa
Where they live
Gospel status
The Lobala are Engaged yet Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, but there are sustained efforts to establish self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Lobala
- Continue prayer and fasting for this group
- Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
- Begin training up local leaders to lead and develop strategies to reach their own people
Primary religion
Primary language
Lobala · Atlantic-Congo family
53% speak Lobala
Gospel resources in Lobala
- Bible available, published 2018
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
- JESUS (Lobala)
Bibles
- 2018 ACOTBA-SUBO · video, audio, text
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Lobala
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
Lobala in other countries
The same people (ROP3 105810) is reported in 1 other country.
Know something we don't? Submit updates to IMB Global Research.