Pastor Kidnapped and Killed

Bridge to Cabo Delgado - Photo: Wikipedia / F Mira
Photo: Wikipedia / F Mira (cc)

According to military sources, militants belonging to a group loosely linked to ISIS kidnapped a pastor and then decapitated him. The victim's remains were later given to his widow to deliver to the police. Although reports confirm that the attack took place on December 15th in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, the pastor's name has not been disclosed by the authorities.

This horrific act is the latest tragedy to take place amidst a four-year-long insurgency which has caused much devastation throughout the country. Even though members of this terrorist group refer to themselves as "al-Shabaab," they are not associated with the Somali group of the same name. In March, the perpetrators carried out a series of other attacks in the area, boasting that they had killed dozens of security personnel and Christians, including Westerners from what they termed the "crusader nations."

Please prayerfully uphold this grieving widow, asking God to comfort her anguishing heart and provide her needed healing from the trauma she was forced to endure. Additionally, pray that the transformative work of God's Spirit will move in the hearts of people throughout the country of Mozambique. In the process, may He also touch the hearts of those in darkness who are persecuting the church, leading them to the "Light of the World" as our Saviour is aptly referred to in the Gospel.

  • Country Information

    Population
    32,513,805 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    African - Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others (99), Mestizo (0.8), other (0.2) (2017 est.)

    Religion (%)
    Roman Catholic (27.2), Muslim (18.9), Zionist Christian (15.6), Evangelical/Pentecostal (15.3), Anglican (1.7), other (4.8), none (13.9), unspecified (2.5) (2017 est.)

    Leader
    President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi (January 2015)

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of Portuguese civil law and customary law

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Mozambique

    Pray that Christians who have lost everything for the sake of Christ will rest in the fact that knowing Him far surpasses earthly accomplishments and treasures (Philippians 3:8). Ask God to continue to build His Church, and that they will be victorious in Him. Pray that those ministering to displaced and traumatized Christians will be filled with compassion and wisdom.

Mozambique News

  • Pastor Kidnapped and Killed
    Bridge to Cabo Delgado - Photo: Wikipedia / F Mira
    Photo: Wikipedia / F Mira (cc)

    According to military sources, militants belonging to a group loosely linked to ISIS kidnapped a pastor and then decapitated him. The victim's remains were later given to his widow to deliver to the police. Although reports confirm that the attack took place on December 15th in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, the pastor's name has not been disclosed by the authorities.

  • Missionary Murdered After Denouncing Organ Trade

    A Brazilian missionary to Mozambique has been killed and four Catholic nuns threatened after publicizing evidence that children were being killed in order to sell their organs. On February 24, Duraci Edinger, a 53-year-old missionary with the Evangelical Lutheran Church was found dead in her home in Nampula, next to a blood-stained hammer. There was no sign of forced entry and no possessions missing.

    Edinger was among a group of missionaries who, in 2001, brought to light an alleged organ smuggling ring. She had reportedly received death threats since. On February 26, four Catholic nuns from the same town reported narrowly escaping an ambush after they presented evidence of the smuggling ring. Several missionaries and the Mozambican Human Rights League have accused the authorities of covering up the crime.

    Mozambique's Attorney General reported on March 2 that at least six people had been detained in connection with the murder.

    Pray for protection for missionaries as they work to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the people of Mozambique. Pray for family and co-workers of Duraci Edinger, as they mourn their loss.