Africa
Imprisoned Believers Released
UPDATE: Believers falsely held in prison in EGYPT were finally released, most pending further investigations. They were arrested after the Egyptian military fired on Christians and ran over them with armored vehicles during the protest of a church demolition. Believers are thankful for the release of the innocent, but disappointed at the lack of justice for the Christians’ deaths, which are being treated as accidents caused by “neglect.”
Christian’s Hearing Postponed
UPDATE: A Christian appealing a fine and 5-year prison sentence in ALGERIA has had his court hearing indefinitely postponed. He was convicted last year after a Muslim initiated a religious conversation with him and tried unsuccessfully to make him recite the Islamic creed. The Christian was also accused of giving a CD about Christianity to a Muslim.
Pray that his appeal will be heard and granted. “To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.”
Christians Attacked in the Night
On November 18 in a village in NIGERIA, armed Muslims surrounded the homes of sleeping Christians. One believer awoke and managed to raise the alarm, saving most of his neighbors, but his daughter, wife, and two nieces were killed. Six others, including a 2-month-old, were injured.
Pray for comfort and strength. “...looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Refugee Camps Bombed
The Islamic government of northern Sudan bombed two refugee camps in SOUTH SUDAN in November. Most of the refugees had fled from regions terrorized by the government of the north. A Christian ministry leader reports that one bomb fell in a schoolyard near hundreds of children, but failed to detonate.
Praise God for His protection! “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem…”
Arrested for the Name of Christ
Mina Talaat did not attend the protest in Maspero, Egypt, but he was arrested anyway because of his faith. His mother says, "Mina was stopped by a soldier, who called a group of 20 people to come quickly, as he had found a Christian. The group beat Mina with short leather batons until his jaw was broken and he had to hold it back with his hand. He also had wounds in the head requiring 12 stitches."
Why was this man arrested and beaten for his faith?
Life on Hold
Imagine your life is on hold: at any time, you could be summoned back to court and told to serve your five-year prison sentence. But you don’t know if or when you will be called back. That is the situation of Abdelkrim Siaghi, a convert from Islam who was accused of insulting Mohammed and of proselytism in Algeria.
Bible Translator Threatened
A Somali Christian refugee in KENYA has received threats from Muslims who learned that he did translation work with the Bible and a Christian film. His photo was recently posted in a mosque. He has been accused of being a threat to Islam.
Pray for courage in the challenges he faces. “...he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”
Leader Martyred, Church Members Homeless
Last fall Muslims killed a Christian leader, burned his home, and raided a village in NIGERIA. The local pastor reports that about five dozen of his church members were driven outside the village and are homeless.
Ask God for encouragement and provision. “By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice…. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.”
Spiritual Hunger in Chad
Our ministry partner in West Africa reports after a recent visit to CHAD that a cloud of physical and spiritual hunger looms over the nation.
Ask God to help him as he seeks to encourage and assist believers in Chad. Pray that Chadian Muslims will find the Bread of Life. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Islamists Rising to Power in Egypt
As Islamist groups rise to power in EGYPT, Christians are concerned about increasing persecution.
Ask God to give them wisdom and courage in knowing how the church should respond to mounting pressure. “He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.”
Hundreds Come to Christ in Egypt
Our ministry partner in EGYPT reports that over 400 people accepted Christ in the outreach event where they were recently working.
Praise God for His salvation! “Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”
Former Terrorist Turns to Christ
Praise God for a former Boko Haram terrorist who repented and turned to Christ in NIGERIA! As punishment for his disloyalty to Islam, however, Muslims murdered his two children.
Pray for comfort in his loss and continued growth in his new faith. “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”
Push for Sharia in Ethiopia
In ETHIOPIA, a group of Muslims distributed literature with their plans to make Ethiopia an Islamic country under the rule of Sharia law.
Pray for wisdom and courage for Christians in the region. “...she considered Him faithful who had promised.”
45 Martyred in a Week
In a region in NIGERIA, approximately 45 Christians were killed by Muslims during a week in November. Many believers have fled the area, and churches have been forced to close or meet with only a fraction of their members.
Ask God for comfort and perseverance. “I will put My laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”
Refugee Family Threatened
After being severely beaten and having his house burned, a Somali believer from a Muslim background fled to KENYA. There he and his family have continued to face threats and discrimination from terrorists and Somali Muslims.
Ask God to heal his injuries and provide for his family. “So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’”
34 Believers Arrested
UPDATE: Following military and Islamic violence against Christian protestors in EGYPT, 34 believers were arrested and continue to be detained. Some of them were not even present at the protest, but were rounded up simply for being Christians.
Ask God to sustain them. “But when Christ appeared...He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”
Churches Burned, Christians Displaced
On November 26 in a town in NIGERIA, members of the Islamist group Boko Haram and local Muslims burned five churches and destroyed Christian-owned businesses. Hundreds of believers have been displaced.
Pray that they will persevere. “...we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus…”
Ten Churches Attacked
Ten churches were attacked in NIGERIA in early November. The Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram perpetrated nine of the attacks, and an Islamic gang was behind the other.
Ask God to give hope to the sorrowful and courage to the fearful. “For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.”
Christians Pulled from Homes, Beaten
Our ministry partner in EGYPT reports that in October some Christians were pulled out of their homes and beaten by Muslims.
Pray that these believers will hold fast to the gospel. “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain…”
Student Murdered in School
A teacher in EGYPT nearly choked a Christian teenage student because he wore a cross. Muslim classmates joined in beating him to death.
Ask God to comfort the grieving family. “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power.”
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.
Refugee Severely Beaten
On October 27, a Christian Somali refugee living in KENYA was severely beaten and left for dead by Muslims who assumed he was an apostate. He says he was praying even as they beat him. His widowed mother, who is a Muslim background believer, says, “I will not return to Islam; I will stand with Christ.”
Ask God to heal his injuries and give the family courage. “So that...we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.”
Homes Burned, Believer Shot
In NIGERIA on October 20, Muslim students and other Muslims attacked Christians and burned their homes. Soldiers reportedly shot to death a Christian woman in her house.
Ask God to comfort her husband and five children. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers.”
Church Builders Attacked
Earlier this year Muslims attacked believers who were building a church in northern SUDAN. The congregation continues to meet for worship despite not having a roof to protect them from rain and dust.
Praise God for their perseverance! “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Churches Threatened with Demolition
Authorities threaten to demolish three church buildings in northern SUDAN. Officials have also called church leaders asking for information about their members and activities.
Pray that the congregations will remain firm in their faith. “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law…”
