Thousands in Africa displaced for following Jesus

Written by: Open Doors SA
Article Source: JOY! Magazine

The violent persecution of Christians in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is at an all-time high. By the end of 2022, a staggering 16,2 million Christians across sub-Saharan Africa had been forcibly displaced from their homes by persecution.

Violent persecution
Every year, thousands of Christians in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa are murdered for their faith. Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List research shows that about 95% of believers killed last year for their faith were in sub-Saharan Africa. More Christians were killed for their faith in Nigeria than the rest of the world combined. And that doesn’t include the huge numbers of people who are injured, abducted, face sexual violence, or lose their homes and livelihoods.

Losing everything…
Among them is Pastor Barnabas, who sustained terrible injuries in a violent attack by Fulani militants in Nigeria. He was working on the farm with his brother, Everen, and Everen’s wife, Friday, when their community was attacked. “We suddenly heard gunshots, but we didn’t know what was happening.” A man attacked Pastor Barnabas and broke his hand. Tragically, Everen and Friday couldn’t escape their persecutors and were killed. “I have lost everything that I had. Everything in my home and village was burnt; I was left with nothing and suddenly had no income,” says Pastor Barnabas. “I cannot take care of my family and children. I cannot feed them. And my children are no longer in the school.”

Pastor Barnabas teaches some of the children in the Christian refugee camp.

Life is not easy
It’s been almost five years since the attack, but the physical and emotional pain is still raw for Pastor Barnabas. The attack has caused long-term damage to his hand, which he cannot use properly. What’s more, Pastor Barnabas and his family have lived in the camp for internally displaced people since the attack. Their small makeshift tent is far too small for a family with five children – it’s smaller than a double mattress. “Because my tent is too tiny, only three of my children stay with me and my wife. The rest of them sleep in my neighbour’s tent. It is not easy to live in an IDP camp. We don’t have good hygiene, water, toilets, or good sanitation. We stay here because we don’t have any other choice – because of the horrendous persecution that has displaced us,” he says.

Grateful to God
Despite all of this, Pastor Barnabas is grateful to God that his life was saved. “If not for God’s intervention and love, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he says. “I hand everything over to God; let His will be done in my life. I know I can be sure of God’s faithfulness. He has been helping me and sustaining me. Therefore, I strongly hold on to Him.”

Emergency support
Thanks to the support of local partners, Open Doors provided emergency food packages to IDPs in Pastor Barnabas’ camp and paid some medical bills. They are also planning to provide skills training and trauma care to support long-term resilience and self-sufficiency and will be paying for Pastor Barnabas’ operation on his hand. Visit opendoors.org.za to help strengthen the persecuted Church in sub-Saharan Africa, showing them that they are not alone.

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Date published: 09/08/2024
Feature image: Pastor Barnabas and his wife in their tiny tent.

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