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2016-01-14

  • Christians Suffering at the Hands of Boko Haram


    Former Nigerian president,
    Goodluck Jonathan (in hat),
    stands with newly sworn-in
    President Buhari during
    the inauguration.
    Photo: Flickr
    U.S. Department of State

    Within recent weeks, hard-liners from the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram have murdered nearly 100 people in attacks ranging from Maiduguri and its surrounding towns in Borno State, to Madagali in Adamawa State of northeast Nigeria. During its six-year history of military offensives, Boko Haram has murdered more than 15,000 people, primarily targeting Christians who have faced slaughter, forced conversion, kidnapping and rape.

    In April of 2014, the terrorist group abducted 276 young girls from a government school in Chibok. Some have escaped, but most remain in captivity. Nigeria's president, Muhammadu Buhari, announced that he is prepared to negotiate with Boko Haram to secure the release of the approximate 200 remaining schoolgirls. Unfortunately, intelligence had no report on the girls' whereabouts or their health. A previous report on the abduction of the schoolgirls is available here.

    President Buhari took office in May of last year with a promise to defeat the group, giving the military a deadline to end the six-year insurgency by the end of 2015. Since his inauguration, Boko Haram has killed nearly 2,000 people. Although the terrorists have been successfully driven out from most of the areas in northeastern Nigeria that were formerly under their control, they have continued to carry out suicide bombings and raids into the neighbouring countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger. While the military has managed to free hundreds of Boko Haram captives in recent months, the groups released didn't include any of the Chibok schoolgirls. To learn more about the rescue of the hostages, click here.

    Please continue to pray for the surviving victims in Nigeria who have been targeted and attacked by Boko Haram, as well as the loved ones of those who were tragically killed. May these grieving believers not despair in their sufferings but, instead, look to the Lord for strength, comfort, healing and hope. Ask Him to make a way for negotiations to take place between President Buhari and Boko Haram, resulting in the safe release of the remaining captured Chibok students. In the meantime, intercede for the protection of these young girls -- physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually -- and that God's assurance will bring needed encouragement to their distraught families. Despite the dangers and threats faced by Christians in this country, may their faith remain strong and undaunted, serving as a vibrant testimony to others in need of the Lord's salvation, including the members of Boko Haram and their sympathizers.
  • Untimely Losses Distress Two Communities


    Relatives of Hajii Suleiman Sajjabi
    await word on poisoned Christians
    at Mbale Regional Hospital.
    Photo: Morning Star News

    Pastor Bongo Martin was brutally killed on December 23rd when he and other members of his church resisted the efforts of local militant Muslims to take over their land in the Namutumba district. The 32-year-old church leader was attacked with a sword after protesting about a fence that had been put up in an attempt to encroach on part of the church's land in Nansololo village. The opposing locals had previously complained several times, believing that the church was not far enough away from their mosque.

    Just days prior to this, five Christians in the Budaka district had died after eating food laced with pesticide following a Bible study meeting in Kachomo, a predominantly Muslim village. The study group leader and host, Hajii Suleiman Sajjabi, is presently in a coma. Four of those who died were his relatives, and the fifth was a pregnant woman. Prior to the poisoning, Hajii had been reprimanded by a local imam for distributing Bibles in the community.

    Thank you for upholding Pastor Bongo's wife and two children in prayer, as well as his congregation. May God sustain these believers in their time of shock and grief, appointing another spiritual leader to provide them needed ministry and reach out to their community with the proclamation of the Gospel. Also, pray for Hajii, who urgently needs God's intervention and healing touch after the poisoning incident, and for consolation to be provided to those affected by the untimely loss of the Bible study group members. May the militants responsible for both of these crimes come to repentance, recognizing their own need of God's mercy and salvation.
  • Pastor Released After Almost Five Years


    Praise God for Farshid’s release!
    Photo: Facebook / Free Farshid

    We are pleased to report the encouraging news that Iranian pastor Farshid Fathi has been released from prison. He was freed on December 21st, almost five years after his initial detainment. Farshid, who converted to Christianity as a teenager, was arrested in 2010 during a crackdown on Tehran house churches and held in solitary confinement for almost a year before receiving his sentence.

    In April of 2012, the young pastor was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, after being charged with "acting against national security through membership of a Christian organization, collection of funds, and propaganda against the Islamic Regime by helping spread Christianity in the country." An additional year was added to his sentence in April of 2014 after allegations were made by prison authorities that alcohol had been discovered in Evin Prison during a raid. In the violent raid, Farshid was physically assaulted by a guard and suffered a broken foot for trying to assist an injured prisoner. He was later transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj during August 2014. Previous reports on Farshid's case are available here.

    Prison authorities at Rajai Shahr Prison notified Farshid in writing that he was due for early release in December 2015, rather than the determined date of December 2017. We are thankful that his early release was indeed recognized, and that Farshid is able to experience freedom once again and the joy of being reunited with friends and family.

    God's Word admonishes: "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15). What a relief it is to now be able to rejoice with our Christian brother Farshid by lifting up prayers of thanksgiving over his recent release, praising God for working out His greater plans, and for preserving the life of this young pastor throughout his imprisonment. Please join us in praying that Farshid will have the opportunity to connect with the members his family, including those who have immigrated to another country since his initial incarceration. May the good news of his outcome serve as a reminder for us to intercede for the release of the estimated 90 Christians in Iran remaining behind bars. In the interim, while suffering for righteousness' sake, may they be emboldened in their faith and equipped by God's grace.