June 2023 Persecution Magazine

What led you to become a pastor,
knowing the path would be difficult?
Of course, since it is God’s call, I have no
regrets. Some people even advised me not
to be a pastor, but I went in fully and am
glad. I enjoy doing it, despite the suffering.
You and many of your worshipers have
lost everything and endured much. What
keeps you going?
What gives you hope? The Scriptures
tell us about this. We know that we are
living in the last days, and we cannot stop
worshiping God. That is why we have come
back and continued our work because it
is our land. Secondly, we know our God.
Thirdly, even if we die in the Lord, we have
no regret.
Your community was attacked over the
Easter weekends in 2021 and 2022. What
was your worship service like this year?
Many have come back, but there are still
more people that have not returned yet
… but many have returned fully. We have
returned because we know our God,
and we wish to reunite and continue our
worship, despite any suffering.
How did you see the Lord move in your
Church?
Attendance in Church service has reduced
due to the attacks because many are
still living far away from the area. We
have reduced in number but spiritually
and character-wise, we are stronger
as evidenced by our togetherness and
worship. We worship within the area of the
Church building, but due to the challenge
of heat, we have to schedule our Church
activities in the early hours of the day
before the heat of the sun becomes too
much … there is no roof, everything was
burnt, and not even a single chair was left.
How did you see the Lord move in your
church?
God is doing his work. The situation has
resulted in some people becoming more
committed. Those who were not born
again have drawn closer and committed
themselves to the Lord in repentance
and some people rededicated their lives.
People in the community who were not
attending Church have begun to come
to church. Even in the aspect of church
offerings, members are doing their best …
they are lacking food, but they are giving
offerings. So, I would say they are trying
harder than before the crisis.
How does fear affect those in your
congregation and community?
Due to fear, some people have relocated
from the community. However, most
people have returned, and we expect
those who relocated to return. Surely,
we all became afraid and fled, but we
have rekindled hope and returned to our
community fully. That is why the people
attend the Church.
Tell us about some of the local people
who inspire you.
There are many people that encourage me
so much here. Considering the unfortunate
situations that we have found ourselves in
here, they would say that I haven’t come at
a good time to enjoy their support as their
pastor … He who called me will see me
through to the end. They encourage me
so much, and I am thankful to them. But
there are also some of our people that are
not committed, they also are many.
What specific prayer needs do you and
your Church/community have?
Some members do not even have food,
because we couldn’t cultivate our lands
last year due to the Fulani attacks. Some
people have not been able to rebuild
their houses. See the Church building.
The main building of the pastor’s house
is still in ruins. Secondly, we need prayers
for this issue of Fulani attacks. Until now,
Satan is still controlling them. Presently
they are not attacking us here, but they
are attacking other places including some
neighboring communities. Our hope is that
these attacks will end. They should pray
for the lives of our members who have not
accepted Christ yet to come to the saving
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
How difficult is it for you and your Church
to forgive the Fulani militants?
We have already forgiven them since we
are still together with Fulanis day and
night. Some of them are even saying it is
not their desire to see things happening
this way, but some of their relatives want
it that way. But as for us we have already
forgiven them.
You have forgiven them, and they have
returned to destroying farms again?
(Laughs) Well, there is nothing we can
do. Last night there were cows scattered
around the houses in this village around
3.00 am, but there was no problem.
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Persecution | JUNE 2023