Story number 1 for 6 Feb 2002

(Nigeria)–Topping the news, thousands continued to flee ethnic religious fighting in parts of Lagos, Nigeria as late as Tuesday. Sectarian violence erupted over the weekend as long-standing hostilities between Muslim and Christian tribes were triggered. Open Doors’ Terry Madison says the tensions have directed their current outreach in the area. “We have been running a series of Bible studies on how to prepare the body of Christ for possible persecution. That’s been very well received among the church in both North and South Nigeria because of the tensions they face with the Sharia law. The Christians very much feel that they’re on the frontlines, and want to be strong for the Lord.” Madison urges prayer for the church body in Nigeria. “Pray for safety, not only for our facilitators and our trainers, but for the pastors and the church leaders who are always the first to be sought out by those who would seek to do destruction or burn down the churches.”