Page 14 - Voice of the Persecuted Christians - Oct-Dec 2022 - 120

Release International-funded training has revitalised hope for pastoral ministry despite the intense persecution
Q: February sees another presidential election in Nigeria. How is that likely to impact Christians?
Q: You are personally involved in Christian ministry and also in encouraging and equipping other ministers. So how are
you personally coping with the on-going violence perpetrated against Christians and Christian communities?
and against advice – we went by
a different route (deemed more dangerous). The next day, after
our meeting with pastors, we were stopped by people blocking the road. We could see smoke rising from a burning village. We were relieved
The elections will be decided, not on issues of national development nor on the capability and integrity of the candidates, but on religious divides. Currently social media and local news reports are agog with the rejection
I always have every reason to thank God for His mercies and protection.
I can recount a number of times
the Lord has saved me from being kidnapped or killed by Fulani Islamist militia groups or Boko Haram as I
to discover that the men were a combined force of soldiers and civilian task force, returning from engaging Boko Haram the previous evening. It turned out that had we taken the recommended route we would have met Boko Haram! Our testimonies of what the Lord has done are many.
of two Muslims as presidential and vice-presidential candidates. Many popular Islamic clerics see the protest by Christians against ‘an Islamic agenda’ as an attack on Islam and are calling on Muslims to do everything necessary to ensure the dominance of Muslims in the forthcoming elections. This tension is likely to lead to political violence and the loss of lives. With well-armed and well-funded radical Islamic militia groups in control of large regions of the country, it is certain that the violence against Christians will escalate.
go from one community to the other to meet with church ministers and community leaders. For example, on one occasion we were on our way to Chibok (where the schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram in April 2014). Due to persistent attacks by Boko Haram in the area, we were advised to take a particular road later in the evening. But because
It is a traumatic experience constantly meeting people whose family members have been killed, praying at countless mass graves almost every week, and meeting and praying with victims who have lost limbs or have life-changing wounds from a senseless attack. It is difficult all the time. I always pray
of a ‘feeling’ I can’t really explain –
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