In 2002, the government of Eritrea passed legislation that locked down religious freedom in the country, outlawing every religion except Sunni Islam, Eritrean Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism and Lutheranism. Since that time, hundreds of believers have been detained without charge and often held for many years without trial.
Before his arrest, Pastor Haile Naizgi* was the chair of the Full Gospel Church of Eritrea – a network comprised of approximately 150 house church groups. These church groups were forcibly closed by a governmental decree but given an application form for official registration. Although the mandated forms were completed and submitted, the representing church leaders received no further contact from the government – until Pastor Haile's arrest in May 2004. He has remained in prison under deplorable conditions ever since.
Another church leader, Dr. Kiflu Gebremeskel, served as the chair of the Eritrean Evangelical Alliance and a member of the executive committee of the Full Gospel Church when he was arrested during an early morning raid on May 23rd, 2004. For more details on the initial arrests of these two church leaders, go to this page.
This past weekend marked a heartbreaking milestone, as these two Christian men passed their 7,000th day in prison. Reflecting on this solemn anniversary, Todd Neddleton from VOM USA stated: "[That equates to] one thousand weeks away from their families. Children that were very young when their fathers were arrested are now college graduates and even parents themselves. How many family milestones have these two Christians missed over the past 7,000 days? As a father and a grandfather, I weep at the thought of all the significant moments they have sacrificed for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom."
Greg Musselman, host of the video podcast, Closer to the Fire, recently interviewed Dr. Berhane Asmelash from Release Eritrea about the difficult situation facing these Christian leaders, as well as the estimated 400 other believers who remain detained in Eritrea without trial or legal representation. To view this informative podcast, and thus learn more about persecution in Eritrea, go to VOMCanada.com/video/ReleaseEritrea1.
Prayerfully uphold Pastor Haile and Dr. Kiflu as they endure this lengthy time of captivity, asking that these faithful believers will receive greatly needed encouragement, strength and hope. Please also pray for God's sustaining grace over the lives their wives, children and grandchildren. May the governing political leaders of countries around the world take a stand against such human rights abuses, petitioning Eritrean governmental officials to allow freedom of conscience and religion, as well as the safe release of all who are presently being arbitrarily detained.
Note: Pastor Haile Naizgi's translated surname has also been spelled "Naizghi" or "Nayzgi" in previously published reports by various news sources. VOMC's contacts have recently confirmed with the pastor's family that the preferred English spelling of their surname is "Naizgi."
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