Prevention is key but panic and fear are irrational feelings that only lead to impulse-driven decisions.
Africa has become “an easy prey, because of its vulnerability and the abiding Western interest in the region”, says the Secretary General of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA).
The Christian Association of Nigeria organised a march to end a three-day fast. In January alone, 100 people died due to terrorism and clashes between Muslims and Christians.
Religious freedom in Western Africa was addressed in Davos through an event organised by the World and the Swiss Evangelical Alliances.
Rev. Lawan Andimi had stated in a video that he trusted in God should he lose his life to Islamic terrorists.
The spread of violent Islamic militancy across Sub-Saharan Africa and South-east Asia, and the rise of Christians targeted by organized crime in Latin America, are some of the trends of the 2020 Open Doors WWL.
A leader of the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria pleaded for help on a video released on Sunday. “I have never been discouraged, because all conditions that one finds himself are in the hands of God”.
Around 1,000 people joined silent protests on the same evening. “The fate of those persecuted for their faith should not leave us cold”.
“Through their prayers, God brought us help. God used a former governor of Kaduna state to assist us”.
This year International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is on November 10th. One out of every nine professing Christians face persecution, isolation and violence worldwide.
Armed herdsmen stormed the community and shot indiscriminately into houses, forcing residents to flee into bushes surrounding the village.
The kidnappers have contacted school officials with their demands for ransom.
It is not clear from the video, temporarily posted on YouTube, when the two men were executed. Their identities were confirmed by a Church of Christ in Nations pastor.
Boko Haram has killed an estimated 35,000 civilians. The insurgency that began in Maiduguri, Borno state increasingly struck Christian educational institutions, health facilities and worship sites.
At least 12 people have died and 600 have been arrested because of xenophobic attacks. “Churches have started to accompany innocent victims of this madness”, evangelicals say.
A study shows that evangelical churches give migrants “the opportunity to integrate into the community and establish relationships”. It calls the political authorities to use these opportunities better.
The Nigerian football player, Odion Ighalo, shares his faith publicly very often.“Everything I have achieved today is because of the grace of God”, he says.
Systemic persecution and its implications.
The Greek forward thanked God after receiving the NBA Most Valuable Player award. “My motto is ‘Walk by faith, not by sight’”, he says.
Suspected Fulani herdsmen killed several Christians, kidnapped 19 and burned at least 12 houses throughout Nigeria in May.
Analysts have detected ties between Muslim Fulani herdsmen and Islamic extremist groups.
Christian leaders file suit alleging 1,000 people killed in the past three years. “The affected Christian communities have been completely overwhelmed and are now desolate and devastated”.
According to Amnesty International, Boko Haram attacked the northeastern Nigeria border town of Rann, almost destroying it. Christian leaders are calling for urgent prayers for peace in this troubled region.
The presidential vote has been postponed one week, to February 23. Analysts say the Nigerian political future belongs to the ethnic group of the Fulani Muslims.
After one year in captivity, “the least we can do is to stand with her, to protest and to pray until we see her released”, says Mervyn Thomas of Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
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