Ethiopia (MNN) — Evangelicals in
Ethiopia, who may account for as much as twenty percent of the population, face
severe persecution. Attacks against believers have risen in some
Muslim-dominated areas as militants began purging believers.
Voice of the Martyrs' Todd
Nettleton notes the latest incident follows this pattern. The attack occurred March in
the town of Nensabo, about 325 km southeast of the capital Addis Ababa.
Although it's not clear what
events led up to the attack 11 days ago, Nettleton says, "A group of radical Muslims
determined to rid their area of the 'shame of Christianity' came against these
believers as they were gathered for worship. At least two Christians were
killed, and literally dozens were wounded."
Eight of the wounded were taken
to Awassa for hospitalization, while others with serious injuries were taken to
Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa.
However, he urges prayer in the
days ahead. "I think one of the things we can pray for–for believers in
Ethiopia, and really, believers in all of the places where Christians are
persecuted–is that they will be encouraged and that they will continue to be a witness for Christ, in spite of the risks they face."
Pray for safety for evangelicals in
Ethiopia, that the authorities will be willing to oppose those who use violence
in the name of religion. Pray, too, for Christians facing various
hardships as a result of this opposition.
