A Pastor in Uganda

Pastor Umar Mulinde was an Islamic teacher before he converted to Christianity. He is known for speaking out against plans to expand the reach of Sharia courts in Uganda. There had been concern over how the plans would affect apostates (converts from Islam), who face the death penalty under Sharia law. Umar says, “If Muslims who convert to Christianity are facing persecution from the Muslims now, then what will be their fate when the Kadhi [Sharia] courts are entrenched in the constitution?” After collecting 360,000 signatures, he was able to stop the move temporarily.

Umar himself has experienced persecution numerous times, starting with his conversion, when his family attacked him with clubs and machetes. He says, “I have been receiving several threats for a long time, and this last one is the worst of all. I have bor[n]e the marks of Jesus.”

After the latest attack he has acid burns on approximately 30% of his face and has lost vision in one eye. The doctors are trying to stop the acid from continuing to spread and from blinding his other eye. He is in constant pain: “I have to continue fighting this pain – it is too much. My entire body is in pain. Most of the night I miss sleep.” His medical expenses are already high, and he continues to need more medical treatment.

Please pray for Umar, for his ministry, and for continued recovery.

“But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly.” – 1 Peter 2:20b-23