Church Building Destroyed

In a region of ETHIOPIA governed by Muslims, a judge ordered the demolition of a church supposedly built without proper authorization. The church has been operating for over 60 years and was built with a permit. Police destroyed the church’s roof, and days later Muslim students and police officials burned down the structure, with shouts of “Allahu Akbar” and “jihad.”

Pray that the congregation will persevere. “O my God, in You I trust, let me not be put to shame.”

LEARN MORE: Persecuted but Not Forsaken

The destruction of a church to shouts of “Allahu Akbar” and “jihad” was initiated by regional authorities known for their anti-Christian bias. One Christian reportedly says, “All the government officials in the area are Muslims. The Islamic religion has become the state religion in our region. The non-Muslims in the area live and worship in fear.”

The church that was destroyed had been serving the community for more than 60 years. Pray for the believers, who have lost their meeting place and sense of security.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.”—2 Corinthians 4:7-10