Church Attack Forces Pastor and Wife into Hiding

Church Attack Forces Pastor and Wife into Hiding

The bare remains of a church building.
The remains of the church building.
Photo: VOMC Ministry Partner

The Voice of the Martyrs Canada has partnered with Steadfast Global to provide small loans to pastors and other Christian workers so they can establish sustainable businesses in support of their ministries. Among the recipients of this project is Pastor Paul, along with his wife Mary. (Their given names were changed for the purpose of this report due to security concerns.) This couple has been faithfully ministering within a Muslim-majority community in southern Ethiopia. As part of their ministry outreach, Pastor Paul and Mary leased space in a compound where they set up a shelter composed of poles and zinc sheets so they could hold worship services with local converts.

On July 29th, a mob suddenly stormed into the compound, forcibly dismantling the shelter before stealing its structural materials. Although police were present at the time of the attack, they did nothing to intervene. Instead, the authorities arrested Pastor Paul and physically assaulted him while in custody. The church leader was later released without charge. Thankfully, Mary was unharmed during the incident.

The Christian man who had leased the space to Pastor Paul was detained by police following the raid. Soon after the landowner's release, he terminated his rental agreement with the church. For their safety, Pastor Paul and Mary have gone into hiding as they recover from the attack and discern their next steps.

Prior to this incident, the pastor was asked if he had any concerns for his own safety, considering the history of violence against Christians in the area. His response was unwavering: "We are not afraid. We will live for Christ, and we will die for Christ." To review reports on previous incidents of persecution in Ethiopia, go to this country profile.

  • Ask the Lord to grant Pastor Paul and his wife Mary full healing and restoration following this recent attack, also praying that this ministering couple will receive His guidance and provision as they seek direction for the future.
  • Praise God for faithful servants across Ethiopia who are reaching out with the "Good News" of the Gospel, even in the face of opposition.
  • Pray for future opportunities to proclaim the message of God's forgiveness and salvation in communities where the hope of His shining light is needed most.
  • Also intercede for the spiritual growth and protection of the converts who had been meeting with Pastor Paul, praying that their faith would deepen and remain strong despite adversity.
  • Current Ministry Project

    VOMC has partnered with a ministry to strengthen the witness of the local church by equipping evangelists with the means to build sustainability through the development of a small business in a tentmaker project.

    Project Fund: Relief and Development

  • Country Information

    Population
    116,462,712 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Oromo (35.8), Amara (24.1), Somali (7.2), Tigray (5.7), Sidama (4.1), Guragie (2.6), Welaita (2.3), Afar (2.2), Silte (1.3), Kefficho (1,2), Other (13.5) (2022 est.)

    Religion (%)
    Ethiopian Orthodox (43.8), Muslim (31.3), Protestant (22.8), Catholic (0.7), traditional (0.6), other (0.8)

    Leader
    President Taye Atske Selassie (2024)

    Government type
    Federal parliamentary republic

    Legal system
    Civil law system

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Ethiopia

    Ask the Lord to direct Ethiopia's governmental leaders as they continue to work toward solutions to the ongoing religious tensions in the country. While this is taking place, pray that His people will not become weary in doing what is right. Rather, may they be further strengthened and encouraged to boldly proclaim the Gospel, overcoming hatred with the powerful love of Christ.

Ethiopia News

  • Attacked Church Seeks New Meeting Location
    The bare remains of a church building.
    The remains of the church building.
    Photo: VOMC Ministry Partner

    On July 29th, a small congregation in Ethiopia was attacked by hostile community members who were opposed to the church's presence in their village. During the incident, the attackers dismantled the simple shelter where the Christians had been meeting, and then they proceeded to steal its structural materials. (For more details about this incident, see this report.)

  • Church Attack Forces Pastor and Wife into Hiding
    The bare remains of a church building.
    The remains of the church building.
    Photo: VOMC Ministry Partner

    The Voice of the Martyrs Canada has partnered with Steadfast Global to provide small loans to pastors and other Christian workers so they can establish sustainable businesses in support of their ministries. Among the recipients of this project is Pastor Paul, along with his wife Mary. (Their given names were changed for the purpose of this report due to security concerns.) This couple has been faithfully ministering within a Muslim-majority community in southern Ethiopia. As part of their ministry outreach, Pastor Paul and Mary leased space in a compound where they set up a shelter composed of poles and zinc sheets so they could hold worship services with local converts.

  • Evangelist Martyred for Sharing the Gospel
    Ibrahim Mohammed's face is pixelated to obscure his identity. He is standing in front of his home.
    Ibrahim Mohammed
    Photo: Steadfast Global

    Ibrahim Mohammed became a follower of Jesus in 2021 and immediately began sharing the "Good News" of the Gospel with others in his predominantly Muslim community. Within the span of one year, he led 80 people to Christ in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. Since then, the passionate evangelist has devoted himself to discipling these new believers. As a result of his Christian witness, Ibrahim began receiving death threats from local Islamic militants.

  • Christians Targeted in Violent Outbreaks
    Property damage from a fire - Photo: Steadfast Global www.steadfastglobal.org
    Fire damage in Shashamene.
    Photo: Steadfast Global

    The Oromia region of Ethiopia is in the midst of turmoil as separatists spread dissent against the government. The murder of prominent singer Hachalu Hundessa on June 29th set off the civil unrest, leaving hundreds dead.

    During the third week of August, a violent outbreak took place in a predominantly Muslim village of Senbete Sinkile. In the attack, which was perpetrated by a youth wing of separatists known as the Qeerroo, it appears that Christians in particular were targeted. While there were no fatalities resulting from this attack, a number of people were injured and damages were done to a church and the homes of various Christians in the village. A number of victims were forced to flee, despite flood conditions, seeking refuge in the mainly Christian city of Awassa.