Uganda
The government of Uganda allows freedom of religion, but Islamist activity endangers believers. Forty Muslim extremists armed with machetes and clubs raided a church. The attack left one believer severely injured and the church badly damaged. Another pastor, who has started over 400 churches and shepherds a congregation of 2,000 believers, has received numerous death threats and survived three assassination attempts leaving him with painful, chronic injuries. Once, when local newspapers mistakenly reported he had been killed, Muslims rejoiced. His response to all this? “Jesus save them, save them.”
Al-Shabaab, an Islamist terror group based in Somalia, has threatened to wipe out all Christians and has promised to seize control of Uganda. This threat, combined with the waves of Christian refugees pouring into the country from Sudan and Somalia, has made the situation in parts of Uganda precarious for Christians despite their national majority status and rapid church growth over the last 25 years.
Prayers for persecuted Christians in Uganda
Second Pastor Attacked
UPDATE: Doctors are struggling to save the eyesight of a pastor whom Muslims in UGANDA attacked with acid late last year. Meanwhile, in February his pastor friend narrowly escaped an ambush after an evangelistic outreach in a predominantly Muslim town.
Pray for boldness for these Christian leaders. “Do not forsake me, O LORD! O my God, be not far from me!”
Convert Falsely Accused, Exonerated
Praise God that a judge dropped the case against a Muslim background believer falsely accused by Muslims in UGANDA! Muslims failed in their attempts to close the Christian school that he opened last year. The believer says he has forgiven them.
Pray for their salvation. “In You, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in Your righteousness deliver me!”
Convert Threatened, Forced to Flee
A Muslim background believer was recently forced to flee UGANDA. His former terrorist colleagues threatened him. One of his four wives tried to poison him. (Islam permits four wives.) His father committed suicide, blamed him, and called on the family to curse the believer. When he sold belongings to help build a church, the threats became even more serious, forcing him to flee to Kenya. One of his wives, also a Christian, received death threats and fled to an undisclosed location.
Former Jihadist Turns to Christ
When Hassan Sharif Lubenga told his jihadist friends about the dream he had of Jesus, they threatened, “Do not make such a mistake again – we are ready to help you. If you continue with this move, then we will destroy you. You know that you are a sheikh.” Although he says it took years for him to make a full commitment to Christ, in the intervening time he faced persecution just for exploring Christianity.
Remarkable Recovery
Susan’s remarkable story begins two years ago, when she responded to the message of an evangelist at her school in Uganda. She says, “I heard the message of Christ’s great love[,] of Him dying for us to get everlasting peace, and there and then I decided to believe in Christ. After a month, news reached my father that I had converted to Christianity, and that was the beginning of my troubles with him. Our father warned us not to attend church or listen to the gospel message.
Girl Recovering from Imprisonment
UPDATE: A Muslim background believer who was imprisoned and mistreated for six months in her own home in UGANDA is now beginning to regain the use of her legs. Her father reportedly says that he will accept her back only if she returns to Islam. She says she has forgiven him.
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.
Pastor Attacked with Acid
In UGANDA Muslims threw acid on an a pastor who was on his way to a Christmas Eve celebration with his congregation and new converts to Christianity. Once an Islamic teacher himself, this outspoken evangelist has survived many attacks and threats on his life. Now his entire body is in continual pain from the acid.
Pray for his recovery and continued ministry. “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation.”
Girl Suffering Physically, Growing Spiritually
A Muslim background believer in UGANDA was starved and locked in a dark room for six months by her father because of her faith. Over a year after she was rescued, she is still using crutches and a wheelchair. Nevertheless, the 14-year-old is growing spiritually and loves to pray and sing hymns.
Sharia Court Endangers Christian Converts
Currently proposed legislation in UGANDA would give Sharia courts legal jurisdiction. Muslims have been evasive about how the proposed legislation would affect apostates (converts from Islam), who face the death penalty under Sharia law.
Ask God to encourage and protect Muslim background believers in Uganda. “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”