The U.S. embassy in Uganda warned that churches there may face "specific threats" from al-Shabaab, a Somalia-based militant group. The threats against the two East African countries are said to be due to each having peacekeeping troops in Somalia.
"All the churches have been informed. The anti-terrorist police and police board in Uganda are providing security to the churches. There are further efforts to inform the people on what the explosives may look like so they can identify them," a pastor shared.
Al-Shabaab has vowed to eradicate all Christians in Somalia, and they have especially targeted converts from Islam. In April, a young Christian woman was dragged outside her home and killed by a group of armed men. (For more information on this malicious attack, please visit our website at
www.persecution.net/so-2014-04-24.htm.)
As our brothers and sisters in Uganda and Kenya face these intimidating threats, pray that they will not lose heart. Instead, may they entrust themselves completely to our Lord, confident in the work of His Holy Spirit to guide and protect them. Ask God to grant wisdom to authorities and security personnel as they work to shield church buildings from attack in these countries. Please also keep in prayer the members of al-Shabaab, asking God to move in their hearts so that they will cease their violence and believe in Him.
To learn more about how al-Shabaab seeks to exterminate Christians, watch a short five-minute video on our multimedia site at
www.persecution.tv/somalia-safe-houses.
TANZANIA: Church Building Burned Down
Source: VOM USA
A church in the predominantly Muslim area of Mafia was burned down on May 9th just hours before a scheduled prayer meeting.
Militants had threatened the church and the pastor, Ombeni Omari, for the past two years. Pastor Ombeni, a Christian convert from Islam, escaped to Dar es Salaam with his wife and three children after learning of the attack. He had founded the almost 60-member church -- the only Christian church in the area -- which consists of mainly converts from Islam.
Although the church building was destroyed, Pastor Ombeni said he will return to the area because the work he was called to do is not yet finished.
Pray that, despite the destruction of their church building, this congregation will continue to meet together for worship (Hebrews 10:25). Ask God to be near Pastor Ombeni and his family, giving them much wisdom as they discern their next steps. Please also pray that those who perpetrated this attack will repent and come to faith in our Living God.
To post a prayer of support and encouragement for this pastor and congregation, please visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall at
www.persecution.net/prayerwall.
CAMEROON: Kidnapped Humanitarian Workers Released
Sources: CBC, National Post
Three Christians who were kidnapped by gunmen in April have been released unharmed. Gilberte Bussiere, a Canadian nun in her mid-70s, and two priests from Italy, Giampaolo Marta and Gianantonio Allegri, were seized at their parish in Tchéré by men suspected to belong to the Islamic militant group Boko Haram. (To learn more about the kidnapping, go to
www.persecution.net/cm-2014-05-01.htm.)
Gilberte, originally from Quebec, has been living in Cameroon since 1979. While serving overseas, she worked as a director of a school and, most recently, as an educational consultant. According to one of her friends, Gilberte was especially concerned over the need to provide education for girls. On the other hand, the humanitarian work of Giampaolo and Gianantonio included improving the country's water supplies and educating its citizens in an effort to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Thank the Lord that these believers have been released and returned to their loved ones! Pray that God will continue to grant them physical and emotional healing. May the seeds that were surely sown during their time of confinement take root in the hearts of the militants, ultimately leading many members of the Boko Haram to salvation in Jesus. Finally, pray that others who've been victimized and kidnapped by the same militant group will also soon be released, including the hundreds of girls abducted in Nigeria.
For a short video clip about the atrocities committed by Boko Haram, check out our multimedia site at
www.persecution.tv/nigeria-killing-field.
