2021 has been a deadly year for Christians in Nigeria from reports submitted by Nigeria International Christian Concern – The International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (a nonprofit organization based in Nigeria). Between January to July 2021, over 3,462 Christians have been killed by Fulani militants and Boko Haram combined throughout the country of Nigeria. In addition to those killed, over 3000 Christians have been abducted, kidnapped, physically abused, while over 300 church buildings have been physically attacked, destroyed, burnt down, or decimated. Persecution of Christians happens daily.
I presented the story about the persecutions Christians are currently going through in Nigeria to show what people who profess Jesus Christ are going through daily in some regions of the world and how these travails strengthened their faith in God. On my trip to Nigeria in July of 2021, l met many Christians who are going through tough times facing fiercely daily persecution. I was stunned by the joy on their faces as they reported about what they go through daily in an attempt to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. These men and women did not ask for help; they all requested prayers. I felt encouraged, strengthened, and took time to question my faith in God (someone who had not gone through anything close in any speck from what these people were telling me). I came out from every conversation l had with these brothers and sisters, learning that there is something good about knowing Jesus Christ personally with deep conviction.
In participation at the gospel lectureship organized by Nigerian Christian Bible College(NCBC) in Ukpom Abak (South-South of Nigeria), I spoke to students who graduated with different degrees in theology to go and preach the gospel in this hostile environment. What would make so many young men and women go into preaching carrier when many preachers and ministers are targets of persecution by the Fulani Herdsmen and Boko Haram in Nigeria? Why such a choice without thinking about the impending dangers and even death? There is something about Jesus Christ that many of us still have to learn. Last month l told a story of a woman who was so very excited to see her son graduate to become a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This month l want to post a photo of a man who was so excited to see his son graduate to become a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Immediately, the Registrar called his son’s name at the graduation ceremony; this great father ignored all protocols, jumped out of the crowd in excitement to the front to hug his son. I learned so much about family dynamics in that part of the world, the supports family (parents and other siblings) give to each other, and the pride they all have that their children will become a preacher, a minister, disciple-maker for Jesus Christ. All these graduates are willing to collaborate with World Christian Broadcasting to introduce the short-wave radio programs and the websites to people they will contact. Let the word of God continue to spread, Amen.
Just as l was about to turn this report in, news came in that bandits invaded a Baptist church during worship on Sunday, October 31, 2021, in Kakau Daji located at Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State in Nigeria, killing two and abducting scores of the members. Please pray for the families of these worshippers.
