Persecution & Prayer Alert

In mid-February, Pastor Mamadou Karambiri attended a conference in France, along with his wife. Unfortunately, a number of delegates unknowingly became infected by the COVID-19 virus while there. After testing negative in France, they were allowed to return to their home country where they developed symptoms, becoming the first confirmed cases in Burkina Faso. At last report, the couple had been placed in quarantine.

Regrettably, this situation has resulted in an increase of persecution within a country that has faced significant violence in recent months. While militant Islamic groups threaten believers, some are now accusing Christians of bringing the virus to Burkina Faso. This small African nation has faced increased levels of violent attacks which are directly attributable to jihadist groups coming into the country from Mali. Many of these attacks have been directed against Christians, such as the church attack that took place on February 16th which left 24 believers dead (read more).

Please prayerfully uphold those in Burkina Faso and around the world who've been infected by the virus and are facing uncertainty over the outcome, including people who are in need of Christ and don't know where to turn. Pray that sound judgement and reason will prevail so that Christians will not have to endure added suffering because of unwarranted blame. More specifically, ask God to ensure the full recovery of Pastor Mamadou and his wife, so that their ministry can continue in this volatile area. Also lift up other believers throughout the country who are facing opposition, and even the threat of death, due to the hostility of militants.

On March 13th, a church in the town of Jeru in northern Ethiopia was burned to the ground. During the attack, believers were severely beaten and expelled from their homes by fellow villagers. Those responsible were members of the Ethiopian Orthodox church.

While it may seem unusual for Christians to face opposition from others who claim to follow Christ, this is not unusual in Ethiopia. The dominant religions of the nation are Islam in the south and the traditional Orthodox church in the north. Those who are not members of either group frequently face strong opposition from neighbours and family members who consider them apostates.

On the night of January 5th, Sadiya Amos had just finished a New Year's celebration when she was abducted. Two days later, her father was forced to attend a Sharia court where he was accused of preventing Sadiya from converting to Islam. A fake birth certificate was presented as evidence that she was 19 years old, rather than her true age of 17. Throughout the proceedings, the court refused to allow the teen's parents any access to her, nor let them know where she was located.