It happened recently in Ethiopia, where self-proclaimed prophets (many of them holding positions of leadership in evangelical churches) claimed God supported the Ethiopian government’s attacks on the Tigray region.

Eric Foley with The Voice of the Martyrs Korea says, “Pastor T and Tigray Christians are not asking us to advocate for one side or the other in the conflict. Anytime I hear Christians say, ‘Certainly God is on our side because anybody who would believe differently than we believe can’t really be a Christian,’ it reminds me that when I hear mature Christians talk, they don’t say things like that.”

Christian nationalism

This isn’t just a problem in Ethiopia. High-ranking Russian Orthodox leaders advocated for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. And in the U.S., many people who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, carried crosses or other Christian symbols.

Foley says Christians can learn from the example of their brothers and sisters who face persecution. “When I’ve had the chance to talk to Christians in places like Tigray, North Korea, or China, most of the time, they don’t tell me that they pray for things like regime change or various political things.”

“What they really pray for are the same things that we pray for on a daily basis, about their families and their faith.”

Pew study

A new study from the Pew Research Center says the number of Christians continues to decline in the U.S., And it’s not caused by declining birthrates or the influence of other religions. Younger people are leaving the faith to identify with no religion in particular.

Why is this happening? One leading theory says Christianity in the U.S. has become embroiled in politics. Foley says, “We need to pray most to differentiate between politics and faith, and to put our unity with the body of Christ first.”

Pray for unity in the Ethiopian church and Christians all around the world.

The header photo shows a grave dug during the civil war in Ethiopia. (Photo courtesy of Voice of America)

Abdoulaye Sangho of TWR says, “We are very excited to launch a new transmitter oriented to Nigeria. Radio is the only tool available to reach various people in the area. It’s difficult to travel in that area, difficult to build churches there. Radio can find the people where they are and radio can speak the language of the people.” Sangho has been in radio ministry for 36 years, and has been with TWR since 1996.

New opportunities

Photo courtesy of Trans World Radio

Sangho says the new transmitter will make it possible to air several programs, many designed for Muslim listeners. The Way of Righteousness is one such program, and focuses on the revelation of Jesus in the Old Testament. It has been translated into several Nigerian languages.

TWR also produces a program called The Prophets that discusses the lives of the prophets in the Bible. Muslims already know these writings, and Sangho points out that everyone can get something out of the lives and writings of these individuals.

“Also, we have a program called the Messiah, the Messiah is about the Gospel, about the life of Jesus, the sacrifice of Jesus, and about salvation,” Sangho says.

And the programs are not only for Muslims. Sangho says Christians in the country need access to solid biblical teaching and encouragement.

A poster for the Oasis project (Courtesy of Trans World Radio on Facebook)

“I would [want to] see a lot of impacts in Nigeria. But getting a sound biblical teaching is not easy. Prosperity gospel is around in the country. We need to bring the real Gospel and sound biblical doctrine so that people can be mature . . . in the Lord Jesus. That’s our objective. And we know that we have quality programs to make this happen, with the grace of God and the Holy Spirit.”

Challenges to face

But the journey hasn’t been easy. The transmitter, for instance, proved difficult to install, suffering strange mechanical problems. Many of the TWR workers were training on the job. The turbulent state of Nigeria didn’t help. Some voodoo curses were even used against station.

Sangho points out the need for prayer amid the difficulties of the region. The group Boko Haram continues to terrorize the countryside. “They are killing Muslims. They are killing Christians. So, your support by prayer is very important for us, because we know it’s a fight. It’s a challenge, but by the grace of God we will overcome.”

Pray also for Muslims who listen to the station, that they would receive the good news of Jesus Christ. To Help fund The Way of Righteousness, click here.

“I am personally convinced,” Sangho says, “that if we reach Nigeria with the Word of God, we will reach the rest of Africa more easily.”

More gospel-centered radio is coming to Nigeria (photo courtesy of AMG International)