Christians in Algeria are requesting prayer for another church, this time in the city of Bejaia, as authorities continue their campaign to forcibly close places of worship. The church, which consists of more than 300 members, is a long-standing affiliate of the Église Protestante d'Algérie, an officially recognized umbrella organization for Protestant churches. On April 6th, the church was informed of an order from the governor to cease worship immediately.
Since November 2017, when the government crackdown on Protestant churches began to intensify, a total of 17 churches affiliated with the EPA have been ordered to close or cease their worship activities. Several non-EPA churches were also ordered to close but have not made their identities known in order to prevent repercussions. To learn more about the persecution of Algeria's Christians, go to our country report.
Pray that Christians in Algeria will be able to continue meeting for worship and fellowship, despite the opposition they encounter. Specifically pray that the leaders of the church in Bejaia will be given direction and wisdom as they determine the best way to continue fulfilling their God-given mission. May the Lord draw His people together in unity so they will be a source of a great encouragement to one another and a bright beacon of light amid the unsaved members of their communities.