Update on Church Closures in Algeria

02 April 2008 0 minutes read

Last week, Algerian authorities ordered more churches to cease activity, according to a March 28 report from Compass Direct. Three churches, registered under the Protestant Church of Algeria, and two independent congregations were ordered to close their doors. Congregations in Ait Amar, Ait Djemaa, Bachloul, Boughni, Ouargla, Tiaret and Tizi Ouzou are among the churches closed. A total of 19 churches have been closed in the nation since November.

Please continue to pray for the Body of Christ in Algeria as it faces ongoing opposition for His Name. More details on the closure of churches in Algeria are available in Algeria's Country Report.

Algeria

Algeria Information

Current Ministry Projects
The Voice of the Martyrs Canada is equipping persecuted Christians in Algeria with biblical and theological training through the support of a seminary that provides contextually biblical and relevant training.

Project Funds: Underground Church, Equipping the Saints, Legal Defence
Country Information
Population
44,758,398 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Aran-Berber (99), European (<1)

Religions (%)
Muslim (99), Other, Christian and Jewish (<1)

Leader
Abdelmadjid Tebboune (Dec. 2019)

Government type
Presidential republic

Legal system
mix of French civil law and Islamic law

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Algeria
Pray that God will use the current restrictions to draw many more Algerians into a relationship with Christ. Pray for conversions to Jesus among the country’s powerful Islamist leaders.

Pray Algerian believers will respond to pressure with faith and perseverance.

Pray for the nation's young people, who make up a large percentage of the population in general, as well as the majority of Christians. May they not be frustrated or disillusioned but rather strengthened and encouraged in Christ Jesus.

Algeria News

Sentence Upheld for Pastor Youssef Ourahmane

Pastor Youssef Ourahmane
Photo: Middle East Concern

Pastor Youssef Ourahmane is a senior pastor and vice president of the Église Protestante d'Algérie (EPA). In March 2023, he was charged with organizing an unauthorized religious assembly and sentenced to two years in prison, along with a fine of 100,000 dinars (approximately $1,000 CAD). Following an appeal of the verdict, the pastor's conviction was upheld, but his sentence was reduced to one year in prison.

Read more...
Appeal Scheduled for Pastor Youssef Ourahmane

Pastor Youssef Ourahmane
Photo: Middle East Concern

Pastor Youssef Ourahmane serves as the vice president of the Église Protestante d'Algérie (EPA). Following a three-day gathering with a few Christian families in March 2023, he was charged with organizing an unauthorized religious assembly. In September, the pastor was sentenced to two years in prison, along with a fine. During an appeal hearing in November, the court ruled to uphold the verdict, but reduced the Christian leader's sentence to one year.

Read more...
Church Leader Loses Appeal

Pastor Youssef Ourahmane
Photo: Middle East Concern

Pastor Youssef Ourahmane is a senior pastor who oversees a number of churches and Bible schools in Algeria, in addition to serving as the vice president of the Église Protestante d'Algérie (EPA) – an association composed of more than 45 Protestant churches.

Read more...
Church Leader Convicted in Absentia

Pastor Youssef Ourahmane
Photo: Middle East Concern

Pastor Youssef Ourahmane is the vice president of the Église Protestante d'Algérie (EPA), an association consisting of more than 45 Protestant churches. Along with this leadership role, he also serves as a senior pastor who oversees a number of churches and Bible schools.

Read more...