Eritrea (MNN) ― In yet another show of force, Eritrea is launching another assault against the church.
Voice of the Martyrs Canada's Bernie Daniel says a sharp rise in harassment began right around Eritrea's Independence Day at the end of May. Since then, "25 Christians were put in prison in the town of Adi-Kuala. And then we heard these unconfirmed reports that some of the key leaders of the evangelical church movement in Eritrea may be accused of treason. That is a serious concern, of course. "
It has been difficult to get confirmation on the future of Full Gospel Church leaders Dr. Kifle Gebremeskel and Haile Naizghi and Pastor Tesfatsion Hagos of the Rema Evangelical Church. They've been imprisoned and isolated since May 2004. The government has already gone after churches and religious groups on "grounds that they allegedly encouraged insurrection and supported networks of deserters".
Eritrean police also arrested 34 evangelical Christians in Keren, according to a recent Compass Direct report. The Christians, members of the Light of Life Church, were meeting in a private home for prayer and fellowship. The women prisoners have since been transferred to the Adi-Abeyto Military Confinement facility outside of Asmara.
Daniel says believers in Eritrea ask for one thing--solidarity from the body of Christ. "I think the thing we can do most is to pray for them.
The advance of Christianity has never been easy. It is always through persecution and opposition that the Gospel has advanced forward. I don't think in any way this will slow down the advance of the Gospel in Eritrea."
Pray for the release of Eritrean Christians who are imprisoned for the sake of Christ. Ask God to strengthen and comfort their families.
