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The last 3rd was ‘International Day of Prayer’ to pray for the persecuted church.
Recently, persecution of Christians by Islamic extremists has been intensifying in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Korea Open Door Mission launched the ‘Arise Africa’ campaign and requested the interest and participation of Korean churches.
This is reporter Oh Joseph.
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Recently, Christian persecution has become more severe in sub-Saharan Africa.
Amid ruthless violence and persecution by Islamic extremists and armed groups, more than 16 million Christians lost their homes and became refugees.
Nigeria ranks 6th in WWL (World Watch List), where Christians are most severely persecuted, according to the Open Doors 2024 World Christian Persecution Index published annually.” class=”fr-fic fr-dib”/>A refugee camp where Nigerian refugees who lost their homes due to attacks by violent extremists live. Nigeria ranks 6th in WWL (World Watch List), where Christians suffer the most severe persecution, according to the Open Doors 2024 World Christian Persecution Index published every year.
Threats of murder, kidnapping, and torture have become commonplace, and nine out of 10 Christians around the world killed for their faith occur in sub-Saharan Africa.
After the killing of Bin Laden about 10 years ago, Islamic extremist terrorist groups began to flow into Africa, and persecution is becoming more severe as they expand their influence mainly in poorly managed border areas.
[김경복 사무총장 / 한국오픈도어선교회]
“Refugees are created, refugee camps are created in various regions, and the refugee situation has lasted for so long, about four or five years, that the church can be said to be on the verge of collapse. Hope for God “I was pushed into a situation where I gave up…”
“Even in refugee camps set up to help displaced people, Christians face systematic discrimination, deliberate neglect and exclusion,” Open Doors said. “Some survivors are forced to convert to Islam or deliberately hide their faith in order to receive help.” “I feel compelled,” he said.
Open Doors Mission launched a prayer campaign, ‘Arise Africa,’ to provide solidarity and support.
We plan to inform the international community of the reality of Christian persecution taking place in Africa and provide spiritual, emotional, and material support to 4 million Christians by 2027.
Last September, we started an online prayer signature campaign with the goal of reaching 1 million people and plan to deliver it to the African Union, United Nations, and governments in the future.
It calls for providing protection from violent attacks by armed groups, fair prosecution of perpetrators, and ensuring healing and recovery for affected communities.
Christians continuing to worship inside a refugee camp.
Open Doors Mission emphasized, “We confess that all churches are one body of Christ, but we lack so much interest and love for our persecuted brothers and sisters,” and added, “Korean churches must share their suffering.”
[김경복 사무총장 / 한국오픈도어선교회]
“Even though these situations have already passed for over 10 years, we still do not know what situation the (African) church is in. Our prayers and petitions deliver tremendous hope and hope to the churches in Africa. This is Because we reach out to them in response to their prayers…”
Meanwhile, Open Doors Mission said, “African churches have not collapsed despite intensifying persecution and violence, but on the contrary, they are writing amazing testimonies and confessions of faith,” and added, “We look forward to God’s amazing work of reversal and revival of African churches.” .
He continued, “In order to mourn together, we must immediately know the site of persecution and pray specifically,” and asked, “Please pray and act together so that violence can end and healing and recovery can occur.”
This is Joseph Oh from CBS News.
An online signature campaign conducted by Open Door Mission. You can participate through the Open Door website. Open Door Mission said, “Churches wishing to participate in the ARISE AFRICA campaign should contact the mission.”
[영상기자 이정우] [영상편집 김성령] [영상제공 한국오픈도어선교회]