On January 28, a well-known Eritrean pastor, Yemane Gebriel, fled Riyadh, Saudi Arabia after being threatened with death multiple times, according to a January 30 report from Compass Direct. Pastor Gebriel, who has lived and worked in Saudi Arabia as a private driver for 25 years, found a note on his van on January 10 that stated he would be killed if he did not leave the country. Three days later, Saudi officials forced him from his van and threatened to kill him if he did not flee. Gebriel was again accosted in his van two days later, this time by four masked men who threatened him with death. At last report, Gebriel was residing in an undisclosed city in Saudi Arabia.
Pastor Gebriel previously came under fire for his faith in 2005, when religious police arrested him along with 16 other foreign Christian leaders. Due to diplomatic pressure, all of the believers were released within weeks.
Pray that Pastor Gebriel will not be overcome by fear but remain triumphant in faithfulness (Revelation 2:10). Pray for safety and wisdom for him as he serves the Lord.
For more information on persecution in Saudi Arabia, visit the Saudi Arabia Country Report.
Population
