More than seven months after Muslim extremists burned its church building, a Presbyterian Church of the Sudan (PCOS) congregation is still afraid to meet for worship. The Rev. Maubark Hamad said his church in Wad Madani has not been able to rebuild since the January 15 devastation due to the congregation's meagre resources. Christian sources said they are increasingly fearful as Muslim extremists pose more threats against Christians in an attempt to rid what they call Dar al Islam, the "Land of Islam," of Christianity. The congregation's building was burned after a series of threats against its members by Muslims extremists. When church leaders reported the case to police, they were surprised to find officers reluctant to investigate.
Christians in Sudan are living beneath a blanket of fear since South Sudan seceded on July 9 (for more information, click here). Just one month after the south voted for independence from the predominantly Islamic north, pressures on churches and Christians have increased, with Muslim groups threatening to destroy churches, kill Christians and purge the country of Christianity.
Please pray the Lord will strengthen His Church in Sudan. May He protect believers from harm and grow the Church in faithfulness and in number. Ask Him to give them the grace to overcome their loss and their current fears. Pray they will have the desire to meet with one another for mutual encouragement and to act as witnesses for the gospel.
For more information on persecution in Sudan, please visit the Sudan Country Report.
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