VOM: Ethiopia

ETHIOPIA

Homes of Christians Burned, Christian Man Killed - VOM Sources

On January 8, the homes of three Christian families were burned by Muslims in the village of Begge. Even though the family belongings were burnt, no one was injured in the attack. At last report, the police had not yet investigated the incident or taken any action to bring the arsonists to justice. In the same area, 10 Christian youths have been living in a church building in Begge three months after fleeing from their homes. They were chased from their homes after their families threatened to execute them for converting from Islam. In a separate incident, a Christian man was killed by an unknown person in the town of Kofele. The father of five was hit on the head with a metal iron rod. His family believes he was killed by Muslims, since the Kofele area is dominated by Muslims. Pray God will comfort this brother's family in their grief. Ask God to encourage the Christian families who are homeless, so they can have deep assurance of God's love in the midst of tough times. Ephesians 3:14-19

Open Doors: Nigeria

Nigeria

More than 200 Islamists attacked Christians in Nasarawa state as they were attempting to rebuild a Reformed Church building that had been burned down by Muslim extremists two years ago. Following the incident, the Nasarawa state government banned any further attempt to reconstruct the facility, according to Compass Direct News. “I personally witnessed the attack on the workers at the reconstruction site of the church,” said the Rev. Jerry Modibo, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Nasarawa state chapter. “The Muslims were chanting, ‘Death to Christians, death to infidels. This town is for Muslims, we don’t want Christians here.’” According to Modibo, banning church-building is just one way the government is trying to stifle Christianity in the central Nigerian state. * Read More>>

Please Pray:

For the health and quick recovery of the Christians who were attacked and injured in this incident, and for the many other Nigerian Christians who face violence and persecution on a daily basis. 1 Peter 5:10

That Nigerian Christians will not cease to exhibit the grace and love of God towards those who persecute them; and specifically, that these 200 Islamists will come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Luke 6:27-28

That all government attempts to stifle the growth of Christianity in Nigeria will be thwarted, and that the Nigerian Church will be strengthened and sustained by God to carry out His commission to the people of Nigeria and beyond. Proverbs 19:21