Persecution & Prayer Alert

Multiple pastors in northern Togo have encountered persecution from militant Islamic groups crossing over from neighbouring countries. In April 2024, assailants attacked a village where Pastor Gbendja Félidja had been serving. While the pastor and several villagers were able to flee to safety, five people were killed during the violent raid. The Christian leader eventually returned to the village that summer and resumed his ministry activities in the community. On February 7th, however, armed militants invaded the village once again; this time, they forcefully entered Pastor Gbendja's home. During the invasion, the church leader was tragically shot and then stabbed to death, leaving behind seven adult children.

On March 17th, Pakistani federal agents took 24-year-old Arsalan Gill into custody on accusations of blasphemy. The charges allege that the Christian believer was responsible for sharing blasphemous content in Facebook groups. His arrest takes place amid a rising number of cases involving entrapment, whereby organized militant groups specifically target members of the country's religious minorities.

On November 9th, 2023, a follower of Jesus named Farhan Ul Qamar was killed in his family's home by a man who is well-known in the community for his hatred towards Christians and Jews. It is believed that the violence may have been instigated by a minor disagreement that took place the day before the attack. (For more details on the incident, see this report.)