How Long, O Lord?
More than 16 million Christians in Sub-Saharan Africa have been driven from their homes. Many are persecuted for their faith. It’s time to stop the violence and start the healing.
Makeshift tents sprawl in every direction, offering little relief from the ferocious heat. Hopelessness hangs in the air. There’s not enough food, no running water and too few toilets.
This refugee camp is home to Pastor Barnabas, his wife and five children. The floorspace of their tent is no bigger than a double mattress. Every day is a struggle to survive.
They’ve been here for four years.
“Each person you see here… we are all Christians,” says Pastor Barnabas. “We are here because of violence. Millions of Christians are displaced in Nigeria. But nobody talks about it. We are remaining in darkness. How would you feel to be forgotten?”
Pastor Barnabas is just one of an estimated 16.2 million Christians in Sub-Saharan Africa forced from their lands and homes. Like him, many are persecuted for their faith.
Across the region, Islamist terror groups such as Al-Qaeda, al-Shabab and Boko Haram want to establish an Islamic state. They’re targeting Christians with unprecedented violence – as Pastor Barnabas will tell you. He’ll never forget the deadly attack on his farm…
“Militants surrounded us, with guns, machetes and sticks,” remembers Pastor Barnabas. “My brother was shot dead, and his wife was killed. I kept running and was attacked with a stick. My hand was broken.”
He added, “I lost everything… My home was burned. Now I cannot take care of my family. I cannot feed them. My children no longer go to school.”
Pastor Barnabas pauses, overwhelmed with emotion. “As a pastor, I am supposed to take care of my sheep. But I don’t have anything to give them. People are losing hope.”
"How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?"
Violent persecution is putting the future of the church at risk, and creating a displacement crisis, an education crisis and a healthcare crisis. Now Pastor Barnabas and Christian leaders across Sub-Saharan Africa are calling on the global Church to act.
Join the Arise Africa campaign, by giving, praying and acting, and help to stop the violence and start the healing.
Pastor Barnabas preaches in his Internally Displaced Persons Camp.
The Arise Africa campaign is a four year endeavour to see the church in Sub-Saharan Africa strengthened in the face of rising persecution.
Already, Open Doors’ local partners are providing Pastor Barnabas with emergency food and medical help. Skills training and trauma healing are coming soon. With your ongoing support, our persecuted brothers and sisters will not give up…
“Our eyes and our hope are on God,” said Pastor Barnabas. “If God will fight this battle, a day shall come when we will live a good life.”
