Kinshasa Hosts Historic Gathering by City of Refuge Church
A landmark event took place in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Sunday, 10 August 2025. It was organized by the Pentecostal Church Light of the World (Église Pentecôtiste Lumière du Monde), widely known as City of Refuge (Cité de Refuge), founded and led by Prophet MULINDWA Jules.
Originally planned for 29 June 2025, then rescheduled to 13 July, the gathering was finally held on 10 August. The occasion combined two major celebrations: the commemoration of DRC’s independence and the Lord’s Supper, an annual tradition for the church.
City of Refuge typically holds two major services each year: one on 1 January and the other on 30 June. This year, however, Kinshasa’s celebration was postponed due to the lack of a venue large enough to welcome the massive congregation. In other provinces and countries, the event went ahead as planned on 30 June, but not in the capital, which is also the Prophet’s main residence.
City of Refuge Church in Kinshasa has hosted many memorable gatherings in the past, all marked by success. Yet this year’s celebration surpassed them all, becoming a crowning moment, the peak, the one for the history books.
Having covered most of Prophet MULINDWA Jules’ past events, I can attest that each has been significant in the life of the church, even historical. But the 10 August gathering? It left me speechless.
In a world where luxury, entertainment, and distractions capture public attention — from secular music and comedy to political rallies, it is rare to see such massive crowds drawn to a gospel message. In the 21st century, interest in the gospel often wanes, due to a perceived gap between religious teachings and daily realities. This gap is precisely what Prophet MULINDWA Jules has been working to bridge, seeking to restore faith in God after many have faced repeated disappointments.
The success of this event is remarkable for two reasons. First, the Prophet managed to fill the Great Yard of the Parliament (Esplanade du Palais du Peuple) for a gospel service, something never before seen in the history of this iconic venue. Second, none of the other branches of City of Refuge Church, holding the same event on 29 June, recorded fewer than 10,000 attendees.
This gathering was more than a celebration. It was a powerful demonstration of the Prophet’s influence, the unity of the faithful, and the continuing impact of the church on the Congolese community.
A Double Flag for a Double Message
Celebration of the independence and support for the peace agreement signed in Washington.
Usually, City of Refuge Church in the DRC celebrates under the flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. But this Sunday, 10 August, Prophet MULINDWA Jules appeared with two flags: one of the DRC, the other of the United States of America.
A few days earlier, Prophet MULINDWA Jules was interviewed on Top Congo FM, where he revealed that, in addition to the Lord’s Supper and the celebration of Congo’s independence, this special gathering was also meant to support the peace deal initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Recently, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo signed a peace agreement in Washington aimed at ending decades of devastating conflict between the two neighbors, while also potentially granting the U.S. access to valuable mineral resources.
The deal calls for the “disengagement, disarmament, and conditional integration” of armed groups active in eastern DRC.
For more than three decades, the DRC has endured repeated waves of violence that have taken countless lives and caused widespread destruction. Previous U.S. presidents largely overlooked the crisis. Donald Trump, however, accepted the role of chief mediator to help end the conflict. That is why, during the event, both the public and the Prophet himself displayed the American flag alongside the Congolese one.
A large poster at the venue featured three figures: Prophet MULINDWA Jules, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, and U.S. President Donald Trump. Written on it were the words: “Tous derrière notre guide FATSHI BETON” (“All behind our guide FATSHI BETON”), followed by the Bible verse Romans 13:4.
How Prophet Mulindwa Jules Drew Over 120,000 Believers in Under Four Years
When Prophet Mulindwa Jules launched his ministry in Kinshasa in 2023, few could have predicted what was to come. Today, less than four years later, more than 120,000 believers call Cité de Refuge their spiritual home.
In just three years, Mulindwa has opened over 30 branches across the capital—a growth driven by demand rather than strategy. Many sought a place to worship after experiencing healing from a distance through his ministry.
The draw is not simply numbers; it’s transformation. “Our church is where people come when they’ve exhausted every other option,” Mulindwa said in an interview on Top Congo FM. Here, the testimonies speak louder than any sermon.
Disillusioned believers from other congregations have found in Cité de Refuge not only solutions to illness and hardship, but also peace, comfort, and a depth of teaching that keeps them coming back.
At the recent gathering in the Great Yard of the Parliament, over 120,000 people stood united—not for spectacle, but because each one has a personal story of change and a renewed faith in the perfect love of God.
“If It’s Not God, Then Nothing Else”
Political analyst Kalonji Wa-Mulumba traveled from the United States to Kinshasa to attend this event organized by Prophet Mulindwa Jules under the theme “Célébrons l’indépendance et la victoire de la RDC.”
Speaking as an independent journalist, Kalonji declared, “If it’s not God, then nothing else.” He was astonished by the massive turnout, over 120,000 people gathered without a single incident. “We marched with the prophet, his biological family, and all his spiritual children. It was unbelievable,” he said.
What impressed him even more was the order and discipline of the crowd. “I don’t understand how a man from Masisi, a remote village in North Kivu, has risen to this level organizing such a large event with absolute order, where no one was injured or killed. Mulindwa Jules has become the first to educate the nation and encourage a change in mindset. I have experience in public marches from UDPS, and I have never seen a gathering of this size with such order.”
Kalonji added that, regardless of what people may say about this man of God, one fact stands out: “He is the only religious leader who has publicly denounced the enemies of Congo, openly supported the Head of State, and prayed for the agreements aimed at ending the war.”
Raising a Generation to Lead Now, Not Later
Prophet Mulindwa Jules has been shaking the status quo, challenging the ways of the previous generation in remarkable fashion. His ministry is composed largely of young people most of them in their forties or younger, reflecting a deliberate choice that stands in sharp contrast to the popular saying that “the youth are the future of society.”
For Mulindwa Jules, the youth are not the future, they are the present. He believes that older leaders who have served for decades, regardless of their field, should gracefully retire and allow a new generation to take the reins.
He even extends this philosophy to the political sphere, urging leaders to make room for younger voices. As he pointedly asks:
“You say that the youth are the future of the society and nation, but why, when the country is under attack, do you call the young people to enroll in the army?”
Prophet Dr Mulindwa Jules
For the prophet, the contradiction is glaring, if young people are trusted to defend the nation in times of crisis, they should also be trusted to lead it in times of peace. He condemns the stubbornness of older leaders who have clung to power for over 40 years, even when they are no longer capable of performing their duties effectively.
“To deny young people access to administrative jobs and only need them to fight in war is selfishness,” he says unceasingly.
Mulindwa Jules also redefines the meaning of witchcraft. For him, it’s not limited to the mystical practices many imagine, it’s also found in harmful mentalities that hinder progress. One such “witchcraft mindset,” he says, is the unrealistic demand for five or more years of experience from fresh graduates.
“How do you expect a 23-year-old to have five years of experience? Where will they get that experience if you don’t hire them?”
Prophet Dr Mulindwa Jules.
In his view, society must learn to trust young people by giving them real responsibilities. This principle is evident in his own church, where 100% of the apostles in Cité de Refuge are young, healthy, and committed to serve God, living examples of 1 Timothy 4:12.
Since 2009, Prophet Mulindwa Jules has trained hundreds of thousands of young people and sent them across the world to preach the gospel. On the occasion of the Independence and Victory Celebration in Kinshasa, he called many of them for a historic mission: to baptize over 120,000 people who had received the good news in the capital city of DRC.
For Mulindwa Jules, empowering the youth is not just an idea, it is a movement already transforming lives and shaping the future of the nation.
Is Prophet Mulindwa Jules a Politician?
Some observers believe Prophet Mulindwa Jules leans too heavily into politics. They note his frequent references to political figures during sermons especially when discussing the relationship between rulers and citizens, and conclude that he is “a politician hiding behind the gospel.”
Mulindwa, however, has repeatedly denied any political ambitions. “There is no way I can covet to be a politician,” he once declared in Goma. “Terms have an end, but mine is endless, because the Lord who created the heavens and the earth has appointed me to be His minister, and that is enough.” Despite his statements, rumors resurface during each election cycle that he is running for president, parliament, or other offices.
The prophet insists that his political commentary is part of his spiritual duty to educate. He often speaks against public disobedience and the insulting of authorities, warning that rebellion against established order can bring divine consequences. He cites Romans 13:1-2, which calls believers to submit to governing authorities as institutions established by God. For Mulindwa, the goal is to save people from unseen spiritual punishment. Even in healing services, he begins by urging confession and repentance.
He also refers to 1 Timothy 2:1-2, which urges prayer for leaders so that society may live in peace and dignity. Mulindwa uses this passage to discourage discrimination and encourage unity across tribes, ethnicities, and nations. He emphasizes that believers should support leaders constructively, offering ideas for the nation’s progress rather than destabilizing its governance.
But what if leaders act unjustly toward the people?
Mulindwa addressed this question during the August 10, 2025 mega-event, criticizing the Episcopal Conference of the Democratic Republic of Congo (CENCO), a body of Catholic priests, for what he described as political interference. He pointed to 1 Timothy 3:1-2, which teaches that church leaders should be “the husband of one wife,” arguing that Catholic celibacy contradicts this principle.
In his view, priests who do not lead families have no standing to lecture the nation’s leadership, especially when, in his words, they “show up with the enemies of Congo” and publicly rebuke the president. Mulindwa believes that if leaders become harsh toward citizens, it can also be part of God’s plan to discipline a disobedient nation. Rather than blaming authorities, people should examine their own behavior and relationship with God.
“The king’s heart is like a steam of water directed by the Lord,” he says, “and He is the one guiding them.” Proverbs 21:1
For Mulindwa, correction of leaders must be done with wisdom, not through social media attacks or street protests. He points to the biblical example of the prophet Nathan confronting King David in 2 Samuel 12:1-14. Nathan, sent by God, addressed David’s sin with a parable, not public shaming—an approach Mulindwa believes modern critics should emulate.
A well-educated child would never correct his father in public. In the same way, the president is the father of the nation, and the value of your suggestion depends on how you present it.
Prothet Mulindwa Jules.
Lord’s Supper at Cité de Refuge, Kinshasa
On August 10, hundreds of thousands also gathered to share in the body and blood of Christ. But here, the Lord’s Supper is celebrated in a way that sets it apart from many other churches.
In numerous congregations, eligibility for Holy Communion depends on strict criteria such as baptism, permanent membership, or being deemed “irreproachable.” In some cases, alcohol is used as the “blood,” or bread is served without wine. Others insist on a fixed formula, using biscuits and juice, believing that is the only acceptable way to celebrate. Prophet Mulindwa Jules challenges these traditions.
“There is no way you can drink the blood of Christ and eat His flesh and remain miserable, sinful, and sick,” he declares.
For him, Christ did not die for a select few but for all humanity, and no one should be excluded from participating in the Holy Communion. He believes that many people remain in spiritual captivity simply because they have been denied the opportunity to partake. Mulindwa explains that some people; whether killers, fornicators, or drug addicts truly wish to change, but preaching alone may not be enough.
“All they need is to drink the blood of Christ to save them from those original sins passed down from generation to generation,” he says.
The results, he claims, speak for themselves. Rebels have surrendered their arms after attending the Lord’s Supper at Cité de Refuge. Prostitutes have become preachers. Couples once barren have testified to conceiving after years of waiting. Many have been healed from illnesses they carried for years.
At Cité de Refuge, the body of Christ is seen as a source of both physical and spiritual strength, breaking curses and sickness, while the blood cleanses all sin and establishes a new covenant with Christ, one that shatters ancestral bonds.
Regarding the elements used, Mulindwa emphasizes that bread is not mandatory. “It was an evening meal,” he explains, noting that culture and local availability play a role. The focus is not on the type of food but on the prayer spoken over it. In Kinshasa, the church often serves meat, various breads, and soft drinks, transforming the communion into a joyful feast rather than a symbolic sip and bite.
Prophet Mulindwa Jules and his spouse at Great Yard of the Parliament in Kinshasa.
“A man cannot properly lead a church full of beautiful ladies without being married. That is why the Bibles in 1 Timothy gives an immutable instruction for religious leaders to be married.”
Prophet Dr Mulindwa Jules.
Deliverance by Padlock
On Sunday, August 10, 2025, the celebration of Congo’s independence and victory also featured one of Cité de Refuge’s most talked-about practices: deliverance through padlocks. The ritual has attracted both curiosity and controversy, some dismiss it as superstition, others attack it because it threatens them spiritually, while many criticize it without understanding its meaning.
For members of Cité de Refuge, however, this is more than a symbol, it is a spiritual battle. “We are fighters who resist all evil plans,” says Prophet Mulindwa Jules, founder and spiritual leader of the church. Amid songs and fervent prayers, he led the crowd through the ritual of “unlocking” God’s people and “locking” their enemies.
Mulindwa reminded the congregation that, beyond its everyday use, the padlock carries a deep spiritual symbolism. In his teaching, the devil often imprisons people in invisible chains blocking their blessings, trapping their potential, and holding back their well-being.
Skeptics may see nothing in this act. Practitioners of witchcraft, he says, find it deeply threatening. But for the tens of thousands who have testified to miraculous breakthroughs after the ritual, it is a powerful tool of freedom.
Speaking at the Great Yard of the Parliament, the prophet explained that many Kuluna, notorious street gangs in Kinshasa, are in fact people born with “bright stars” and exceptional talents. According to him, these gifts were stolen and “locked away” by witchcraft, leading them into lives of crime. “They will be unlocked from where they have been bound,” he declared, “and soon they will become useful for the nation.”
The process, he explained, has two stages: first, unlocking the victims from where the witches have bound them; and second, locking those who were responsible for the captivity.
Who Is Prophet Mulindwa Jules?
From the remote village of Nyabiondo in Masisi Territory, North Kivu Province, emerged a man many now call one of the most influential spiritual leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Born into a devoted Christian family, Mulindwa Jules was the fourth child of Pastor Michel Mulindwa, serving in the Pentecostal community known then as CEPZA (Communauté des Églises Pentecôtistes au Zaïre, now CEPAC).
From a young age, he stood out for his gentle character and unusual insight. People recall his childhood predictions, sometimes delivered half in jest, that later came true. An elderly woman from his village still remembers: “He could tell a pregnant woman the gender of her baby and the day she would give birth, and it would happen exactly as he said.”
In 1997, tragedy struck. War claimed the lives of most of his siblings in a single day. Yet, this deep loss became part of his story of resilience. Some believe he is the “bright star” prophesied to rise from Eastern Congo with a message that would awaken hearts and reveal biblical truths long overlooked. According to them, the devil knew his calling early and sought to destroy him, but God preserved his life.
Beyond his public ministry, Mulindwa Jules is a devoted family man, a husband to Ima Mulindwa and father of three children. Those close to him often describe his home life as a reflection of his teachings: grounded in faith, love, and mutual respect.
Years later, as he traveled internationally, Mulindwa felt a divine call: to return to his homeland, where many had been misled by leaders who no longer feared God. In 2009, he began his ministry in Goma, facing fierce opposition but standing firm. From those humble beginnings, Cité de Refuge Church has expanded to every province of the DRC and beyond: Burundi, Uganda, Congo-Brazzaville, Angola, Tanzania, and even Canada.
Mulindwa’s preaching is unapologetically direct. Accused by some of criticizing other churches, he insists his mission is not to attack but to awaken, to unmask deception and restore the true gospel. He often quotes Hosea 4:6: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” His mission is to teach believers their identity and value in Christ, for “as long as a person does not know their worth, they will always be misused.”
Several core scriptures shape his ministry:
- Genesis 1:26 – Humanity was created to dominate, not be dominated.
- Luke 10:19 – Believers have the power to overcome the devil and all evil.
- Mark 16:17 – Those who receive Christ will perform miracles as He did.
- John 6:2 – Faith should be accompanied by tangible results, such as healing and transformation.
- Isaiah 1:19 – Obedience to God brings abundance, while rebellion leads to loss.
- Psalm 82:6 – “You are gods”—a call for believers to reject all forms of manipulation.
To his critics, Mulindwa is confrontational; to his followers, he is a fearless truth-teller sent to free people from spiritual captivity. Whether standing in front of tens of thousands at the Great Yard of the Parliament or speaking quietly to a single soul in need, he carries one conviction: the gospel must restore dignity, power, and freedom to God’s people.
