The City of Refuge Church (Mboka ya Ekimelo), founded and led by Prophet Mulindwa Jules, held a major religious gathering on January 4, 2026, in Kinshasa. The event took place at the Esplanade of the Palais du Peuple, where more than 135,000 worshippers attended a Holy Communion service combined with the celebration of the peace agreement recently signed in Washington.
According to the church, the attendance marked a significant increase compared to previous gatherings held at the same venue. Prophet Mulindwa Jules described the peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and the United States as a historic development that, in his view, did not occur by chance. He linked the agreement to a prophecy he had announced in August 2025 during a service at the Esplanade, which at the time brought together more than 120,000 people.
On January 6, 2026, Prophet Mulindwa Jules expressed his satisfaction with the January 4 event during an interview with journalist Kalonji Wa Mulumba. He recalled that this was the fourth church service organized by City of Refuge Church at the Palais du Peuple.
“The first service took place on January 5, 2025. On April 20, 2025, the number of attendees almost doubled. On August 10, 2025, we gathered more than 120,000 people, and on January 4, 2026, the crowd grew even larger,” he said. “This growth reflects what the Bible describes in the time of the apostles, when the Church was expanding day after day.”
For Prophet Mulindwa Jules, the continuous increase in attendance is a defining characteristic of what he considers a credible and dynamic church. He also expressed confidence that future gatherings would attract even larger numbers of believers.
Journalist Kalonji Wa Mulumba, who previously participated in one of the church’s marches and services, highlighted the level of discipline among City of Refuge members. “More than 120,000 people marched along the boulevard, and at the end of the event, there were no reports of deaths or injuries. Based on my experience, this was astonishing,” he said.
When asked about the secret behind such organization and discipline, Prophet Mulindwa Jules attributed it to spiritual influence rather than personal leadership. “I cannot boast about this. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. Wherever the Holy Spirit reigns, there is order and respect. After deliverance, people return to normal life, and disorder has no place among us,” he explained.
In recent months, the rapid growth of City of Refuge Church has sparked debate within Congolese society. Some critics have suggested that the church’s expansion is driven by allegations that its leadership helps followers to get jobs through personal networks.
The prophet rejected these claims, calling for a rational assessment of the situation. “Is it realistically possible to find jobs for such a large crowd?” he asked. “I do not give jobs to anyone. What you see at City of Refuge Church is what is written in John 6:2: a large crowd followed Christ because they saw the signs He performed by healing the sick,” he said.
Beyond spiritual matters, Prophet Mulindwa Jules positions his ministry as one that promotes civic responsibility and patriotism. He regularly encourages believers to respect national institutions and support state authority. Citing biblical teachings, he argues that opposition to legitimate authority contradicts divine order.
“Rebellion began in heaven when Lucifer opposed God, and he was expelled,” he stated. “When religious leaders turn against established authority, it is a sign that they are acting against both God and the nation.”
Since its inception, City of Refuge Church has publicly affirmed its commitment to supporting national authorities, referencing Romans 13:1, which teaches that all authority comes from God. Church leaders maintain that obedience to state institutions is an integral part of their doctrine.
In a recent initiative, the church organized a material donation to support the Congolese armed forces during the current period of insecurity. The gesture was widely praised by members of the public, with many calling on other religious organizations to follow the same example.
The Holy Communion service and the celebration of the Washington peace agreement remain a landmark event for City of Refuge Church, continuing to generate discussion within religious and civic circles across the country.
