Church Burned for the Fourth Time

04 May 2005

For the fourth time in five years, the Conquerors Chapel of the Word of Faith Ministries in Kaduna, Nigeria, was destroyed by fire on April 10. According to a May 2 report from Compass Direct, there have been no arrests on any of the arson attacks.

According to the church's pastor, Ndubuisi Chiazor, he had just left the chapel with the board of elders eight minutes earlier when he received a phone call that the church building had been set on fire by some Muslims. Rushing back, they found the building ablaze. Within forty minutes, everything was destroyed.

Pastor Chiazor says that the attacks began shortly after the introduction of sharia law in Kaduna State in 2000. Local Muslims began to demand that the church cease meeting. Soon afterwards, they built a mosque next to the church building and demanded that the church move their meetings. The church leadership has resolved to not move. However, many of the congregation have left, some leaving the city out of fear.

Pray for the continued ministry of the Church in Kaduna. Pray for wisdom for the leadership of the Word of Faith Ministries. Pray that local authorities will take seriously their God-given responsibility to provide equal protection to all of the residents of Kaduna.

For more information on the difficulties experienced by Christians in Nigeria, click here.

Nigeria

Current Ministry Projects
VOMC works with in-country partners to encourage and strengthen persecuted Christians through a variety of methods. Christians are equipped with audio bibles to distribute to their persecutors. Christian widows receive skills training and trauma counselling as a way to provide an income for their families and heal from the trauma they’ve faced in losing their husbands. Children who have lost parents and relatives due to attacks are provided with a safe place to grow and be nurtured. Medical fees are paid for Christians who have suffered injuries due to attacks by Boko Haram and Fulani. Discipleship and vocational training are given to Muslim Background Believers to help them start their new lives spiritually and practically. The Glenn Penner Scholarship Award is used to help equip persecuted Christians completing their Masters and have a heart to share the Gospel with the lost in their community.

Project Funds: Women’s Ministry, Bibles, Medical Fund, Families of Martyrs, Equipping the Saints, Relief & Development
Country Information
Population
230,842,743 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Hausa (30), Yoruba (15.5), Igbo (15.2), Fulani (6), Tiv (2.4), Kanuri/Beriberi (2.4), Ibibio (1.8), Izaw/Izon (1.8), Other (24.7)

Religion (%)
Islam (53.5), Christianity (45.9), Other (0.6)

Leader
President Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu (2023)

Government type
Federal presidential republic

Legal system
Mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states), and traditional law

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Nigeria
May God minister great comfort and healing to all who have been injured or bereaved as a result of the militants' brutal attacks. In addition, pray for the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls, that they will be assured of the Lord's abiding presence as they await release from captivity. Continue to uphold President Tinubu and other members of the Nigerian government as they make further attempts to rescue the remaining girls and provide protection for vulnerable citizens. As they persevere in their endeavours to overcome terrorism, may they be granted wisdom, courage, strength and help from on high.