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ng eunice elisha wwm
Eunice Elisha, one of the workers martyred
Photo: World Watch Monitor

Two church workers in Nigeria have recently been killed by militants in separate incidents. Eunice Elisha was murdered in the early hours of July 9th near Nigeria's capital of Abuja. The 42-year-old mother of seven had gone out to preach as usual, her husband Pastor Olawale told local media.

Eunice is described by her surviving husband as a zealous Christian who "rarely missed a day in church." When asked how he felt about the attack, Olawale replied: "I see (Eunice) as a martyr who died for Christ. Whether the people are caught or not, they should be forgiven." Police have since arrested six suspects, and will be continuing with their investigation.

Eunice's case represents only one of several attacks targeting Christians in recent weeks. Reverend Joseph Kura, a pastor of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Obi town (located within Nigeria's central State of Nasarawa), was killed on June 30th by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen.

Rev. Joseph was accompanied by three other people when he went to his farm at about 7 p.m. to cut down trees for roofing wood. As the group arrived at the farm, two armed men suddenly appeared from behind them. Rev. Joseph's severely mutilated body was later recovered from the scene. He leaves behind a wife and seven children. Additional reports on persecution in Nigeria, along with informative video documentaries, are available here.

May the families and friends of these 'good and faithful servants' be greatly comforted with God's promises of everlasting life: 1) the assurance that their loved ones have gone on to receive their eternal rewards, and 2) the anticipated hope of one day being reunited with them in the presence of our Lord Himself. In the meantime, pray that their grieving hearts will be sustained by the loving and cherished memories they've shared over the years and, most important of all, through the empowerment, love and peace of God through a relationship with our Risen Saviour, Jesus Christ. Intercede for the perpetrators that they may also come to personally know Him and His saving grace.

Current Ministry Projects

Through a vast variety of projects, VOMC works with in-country partners to encourage and strengthen Nigerian Christians who have experienced extreme forms of persecution. Christian widows receive trauma counselling to help them heal from the aftermath of tragically losing their husbands due to persecution-related attacks. These widows are also provided skills training so they can have a practical means of income to support their families. Children who have lost their parents and other relatives during incidents of persecution are provided a safe place in which to grow and be nurtured. Medical fees are paid for Christians who have suffered serious injuries perpetrated by militants affiliated with Nigeria’s Boko Haram and Fulani groups. Discipleship and vocational training are being offered to Muslim-background believers to help them start their new lives spiritually and practically.

The ministry also gives persecuted Christians who are completing their master's degrees – and have a desire to share the Gospel in their communities – the opportunity to benefit as recipients of the Glenn Penner Scholarship Award. Another one of VOMC’s projects in Nigeria involves the distribution of food aid to persecuted Christians residing within Internal Displacement Persons' (IDP) camps. Through this distribution effort, displaced believers who have been forced to flee their homes and communities because of their faith not only receive daily sustenance but also the encouragement that’s needed to rebuild their lives.

Project Funds: Women’s Ministry, Bibles (Distribution), Medical, Families of Martyrs, Equipping the Saints, Relief & Development

Country Information

Population
219,463,862 (July 2021 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 Muhammadu Buhari (2015)

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 Buhari 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.

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