(Photo courtesy Voice of the Martyrs Canada)

Nigeria (VCM/ODM) — The worldwide attention to Nigeria’s Boko Haram’s atrocities is new, though the violence is not.

On Friday, the United Nations finally agreed to levy sanctions on the terror group. However, it seems that frozen assets, travel bans, and an arms embargo won’t do much, considering the group has been operating with impunity for five years.

In 2009 the Islamic extremist group, an al-Qaeda ally, vowed to rid the north of all non-Muslim influence, including Christians.

Since then, the attacks have been a constant barrage, escalating quickly this year, forcing the government of Nigeria to extend the state of emergency it declared in May 2013 for Yobe, Borno, and Adamawa states.

The measure was meant to assist the battle against the insurgents. Under the state of emergency, Boko Haram violence has continued and periodically intensified in certain areas, like Borno state.

Observers have been expressing doubt over the government’s ability to bring an end to the violence. The instability is causing Christians to fear for their safety during national elections set in February 2015.

The violence has been disruptive to outreach, sometimes personally so. Voice of the Martyrs Canada noted the late April murder of a VOM volunteer in Gwoza, Borno state. His death highlights the pressure on Christians in Gwoza, about five miles from the Cameroon border, not far from where the militants kidnapped 200+ schoolgirls.

At the time of his death, the volunteer was delivering hundreds of VOM-Nigeria newsletters. He also blessed the ministry by using his own vehicle to transport victims of attack to hospitals. In addition, he served as a contact person between VOM staff and others in the community such as widows, injured victims, Christian leaders, and local pastors. His killers reportedly stole 500 copies of the VOM newsletter from his car, and pastors in the area are now praying that the newsletters will minister to the militants.

This is an area that’s experienced repeated attacks from Boko Haram insurgents. Earlier VOM reports noted the displacement of 618 families. Boko Haram burned and destroyed 55+ churches and 541 homes of Christians, and the slaughter is in the hundreds in Gwoza–an area roughly the same size as Delaware.

VOM continues to work in Nigeria with a children’s home, schools, a prosthetic clinic, literature ministry, and family assistance. It’s done to help these faithful believers in Nigeria continue to advance the gospel in a hostile land. Yet, despite the extreme anxiety, believers haven’t given up. They’re asking you to pray for the strength of their faith, their boldness, and opportunity.

As we intercede on behalf of the Gwoza community, let us begin by expressing thanksgiving to the Lord for the dedication and ministry service of this faithful VOM volunteer. While we can rejoice that he is now experiencing life to the fullest, may we remember to pray for his family, friends, and all those he kindly assisted in the community who are mourning his tragic death. Please also join the pastors of this area in praying that the stolen newsletters will greatly impact the lives of many militants, serving as a means of drawing them into relationship with the one true God. Finally, bring the entire country of Nigeria before Him in prayer, asking that He use His people to extend peace and grace amid the violence.

The Associated Press reports Islamic militants attacked the church in Yobe state just before dawn yesterday; the incident went unnoticed by nearly all major media outlets.

Dr. David Curry, President and CEO of Open Doors USA, points to the attack as the latest in a rising tide of persecution sweeping the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

"We've had situations in the last three weeks in Iraq, in Syria, in Pakistan, and now last night in northern Nigeria, where people are targeting believers," says Curry. "My greatest concern is that there won't be any pressure to follow-up on this attack.

"Attack after attack on Christians seems to go by the wayside."

Thousands have fallen in Nigeria alone at the hands of the Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram. Their name means "Western education is sinful," and their four-year-old terror campaign seeks to rid northeast Nigeria of all who follow Christ.

Yobe is one of three northeastern states currently under emergency rule, as Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan tries to quell Boko Haram insurgents.

"The threat of terrorism in a few states in the northeastern part of our country has proven to be a challenge to national stability," Jonathan told UN leaders earlier this week. "We will spare no effort in addressing this menace."

Terror goes by a different name in the nearby Central African Republic: Seleka. This band of Islamic terrorists rose to national power in March following the ouster of former President Francois Bozize.

Their primary target soon became the Church.

"The various atrocities that preceded, accompanied, and followed Seleka's rise to power have been specifically aimed at the Christian population," states a letter from the CAR Evangelical Alliance to Seleka Islamist leader and CAR President Michel Djotodia.

"Churches and Christian institutions have been desecrated and plundered, priests and pastors have been assaulted, and nuns raped."

In CAR, 50% of the population is Christian and 15% are Muslim. Despite outnumbering the followers of Islam, Christian communities in CAR claim their Muslim neighbors are joining Seleka’s violent campaigns.

"It’s not like Christianity is a minority religion, but ever since the coup in March, the Muslims have increased their persecution of Christians," said Open Doors spokesman Jerry Dykstra in a July 5 article.

To the north, a similar situation unfolds as violence against Christians in Egypt reaches historic levels. Members of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) were quick to blame Coptic Christians for the July removal of MB proponent and former President Mohamed Morsi from office.

It was a summer of rage for many believers as they endured beatings, their homes and businesses were looted and destroyed, and churches were set aflame. In August, one church was forced to close its doors for the first time in 1,600 years.

And yet, most believers and secular media alike remain unaware of the deadly trend.

"Open Doors has been trying to raise this awareness among Western believers and the media in general," says Curry. "We believe it's worthwhile asking the question: 'Are these attacks coordinated?' Certainly they seem to be intentional and directed at believers.

"Over the last decades…the population of Christians in the Middle East has gone from 20% to 4%. Why is that? It is because there is a concerted effort to force Christians to convert. There is a concerted effort to persecute Christians, to drive them from their home."

As the plight of believers in the MENA continues on, largely unnoticed, you can take action.

"There are so many ways we can support the Persecuted Church," Curry states, "but you won't know how until you get this International Day of Prayer packet, an IDOP packet."

The International Day of the Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) gathers believers worldwide in continuous prayer for those who are persecuted. This year, IDOP falls on November 3.

"What we're asking is that every believer in the Western world that worships in freedom takes part on November 3rd in praying and supporting the Persecuted Church," explains Curry.

"We're not a political organization, but what we can do is rally believers to defend and to pray and support their brothers and sisters in the Persecuted Church."

Click here to request a free IDOP prayer kit, and Open Doors will mail it to you. Or, you can download the resources to your computer by clicking here.

Want to pray right now?

"Pray for safety of people who want to worship Jesus, who want to simply call themselves followers of Christ," Curry suggests.

"This is a hinge of history. If we don't stand up and have our voice heard on this issue, it may well get much worse."

(Image courtesy Wikipedia) Flag of jihad, carried by Boko Haram

Today, it seems their campaign to instill Sharia law throughout the country has broadened. Their new targets are ‘soft’ targets: farmers, aid workers, schoolchildren and teachers. Open Doors USA spokesman Jerry Dykstra explains, “I think the government is increasing pressure the result, I believe, is that the Boko Haram is fighting back.”

Their latest attack can only be described in one word: horrifying. In the dawn hours of July 8, Dykstra says, “Suspected Boko Haram extremists came to the school and set fire to the school and many of the students were burned alive. Others were shot in the back when they tried to flee.”

The boarding school was in Mamudo, Yobe. The United Nations’ children’s agency said 48 students and seven teachers died in that attack. Survivors said gunmen rounded up students and staff at the school and placed them in a dormitory before throwing explosives inside and opening fire. What’s more, this isn’t the first time, says Dykstra. “This is about the third or fourth school they’ve targeted in the last month or so. They believe that the students should be getting radical Islamic instruction.”

The European Union condemned the “horrific murder by terrorists”, and the act prompted Britain to put Boko Haram on its terrorist list. Yobe, is one of the three states where the Nigerian government imposed a state of emergency in May. Immediately after the attack, the governor closed all secondary schools.

Boko Haram means “Western education is a sin” in Hausa. Since they began their effort to Islamize Nigeria in 2001, over 9,000 have died. As a result, Nigeria launched a major offensive against Boko Haram on May 15.

(Image courtesy Wikipedia) Northern Nigeria, Boko Haram activity

Last year, the focus was churches and Christians. This year, it seems to be the children. Dykstra notes, “According to Open Doors, there were about 30 Christians that attended the school that was burned down. We don’t know, really, how many of those killed were Christians.”

Samaila, a teacher at the school, told Open Doors that he could see scores of parents in shock trying to identify children. An Associated Press journalist also described chaotic scenes at a nearby Potiskum hospital as parents tried to identify their children from among the deceased.

There were two similar attacks on schools in June. On June 16 at a school in Damaturu, Yobe, suspected Boko Haram attackers opened fire on students. A pastor told Open Doors that the attackers arrived at the school asking for the Christian students by name. However, security agents interfered in the attack and the insurgents ended up firing random shots, killing 13 students and teachers. Open Doors has not been able to confirm how many Christians were among the victims.

On June 18 suspected Boko Haram members also opened fire on students at a Muslim school in Maiduguri. Nine students and one medical worker were killed.

“The carnage in Nigeria continues,” says Dykstra. The senseless slaughter is hard to understand, which is why he urges believers to ,”Pray specifically for the violence to stop. The government tried to talk to the Boko Haram leaders, but that didn’t work out. So now, they’re going after them. All these strategies don’t seem to have worked, so we need to put our trust in the Lord.”

Nigeria is ranked No. 13 on the Open Doors 2013 World Watch List of the worst persecutors of Christians.

Today, it seems their campaign to instill Sharia law throughout the country has broadened. Their new targets are "soft" targets: farmers, aid workers, school children, and teachers. Open Doors USA spokesman Jerry Dykstra explains, "I think the government is increasing pressure. The result, I believe, is that the Boko Haram is fighting back."

Their latest attack can only be described in one word: horrifying. In the dawn hours of July 8, Dykstra says, "Suspected Boko Haram extremists came and set fire to the school, and many of the students were burned alive. Others were shot in the back when they tried to flee."

The boarding school was in Mamudo, Yobe. The United Nations' children's agency said 48 students and seven teachers died in that attack. Survivors said gunmen rounded up students and staff at the school and placed them in a dormitory before throwing explosives inside and opening fire.

What's more, this isn't the first time, says Dykstra. "This is about the third or fourth school they've targeted in the last month or so. They believe that the students should be getting radical Islamic instruction."

The European Union condemned the "horrific murder by terrorists," and the act prompted Britain to put Boko Haram on its terrorist list. Yobe is one of the three states where the Nigerian government imposed a state of emergency in May. Immediately after the attack, the governor closed all secondary schools.

Boko Haram means "Western education is a sin" in Hausa. Since they began their effort to Islamize Nigeria in 2001, over 9,000 have died. As a result, Nigeria launched a major offensive against Boko Haram on May 15.

Last year, the focus was churches and Christians. This year, it seems to be children. Dykstra notes, "According to Open Doors, there were about 30 Christians that attended the school that was burned down. We don't know really how many of those killed were Christians."

Samaila, a teacher at the school, told Open Doors that he could see scores of parents in shock trying to identify children. An Associated Press journalist also described chaotic scenes at a nearby Potiskum hospital as parents tried to identify their children from among the deceased.

There were two similar attacks on schools in June. On June 16 at a school in Damaturu, Yobe, suspected Boko Haram attackers opened fire on students. A pastor told Open Doors that the attackers arrived at the school asking for the Christian students by name. However, security agents interfered in the attack, and the insurgents ended up firing random shots, killing 13 students and teachers. Open Doors has not been able to confirm how many Christians were among the victims.

On June 18, suspected Boko Haram members also opened fire on students at a Muslim school in Maiduguri. Nine students and one medical worker were killed.

"The carnage in Nigeria continues," says Dykstra. The senseless slaughter is hard to understand, which is why he urges believers to "pray specifically for the violence to stop. The government tried to talk to the Boko Haram leaders, but that didn't work out. So now, they're going after them. All these strategies don't seem to have worked, so we need to put our trust in the Lord."

Nigeria is ranked No. 13 on the Open Doors 2013 World Watch List of the worst persecutors of Christians.

Caught between the rampage of the Boko Haram, youth poverty, and alleged Army brutality, there seems to be little reason to trust anyone.

The situation could deteriorate further in the blink of an eye. On Saturday, while attending an African Union summit, U.S. secretary of state John Kerry warned against human rights violations even as he acknowledged Nigeria's right to defend itself against the Islamic terrorist group threatening the country's north. Spokesman with the Voice of the Martyrs Canada Greg Musselman explains, "They're not just targeting Christians; they're targeting anybody that is against their ideology. That's why they're blowing up police stations, government buildings, and attacking anybody that is not with them and their brand of militant Islam."

While Boko Haram's drive to turn Nigeria into a Sharia state has claimed 3,600 lives since 2009, it is not on the state department's list of designated foreign terrorist organizations. The National Counterterrorism Center Web site also describes Boko Haram as a terrorist group, yet up until recently, traction has been slow with help fighting the insurgency. The normal rules don't apply, notes Muselman. "I can appreciate, I suppose, on one hand John Kerry saying, ‘We need to protect against human abuse and human rights violations.' I understand all of that. But the reality is that these guys, the Boko Haram, are brutal murderers. They will do anything they can, and they don't play by the same rules."

Last month, the Voice of the Martyrs Canada reported that militants had begun an "Islamization campaign" in Gwoza (also located in Borno state). In this situation, residents were threatened by gunmen who were going from door to door, demanding that the family members within each household profess allegiance to Islam at gunpoint.

Church attacks are still prevalent. An assassination of a well-known church leader last month rattled nerves. But still, Musselman says the message being preached in the streets and from the pulpit is the same. It takes on a whole different meaning in light of the stains painting the doorsteps of so many churches. "'We need to love those that are doing this to us. We are committed to advancing God's kingdom in Nigeria, and we will not resort to the same kind of violence.'"

According to the new 2013 edition of the World Watch List produced by Open Doors, Nigeria is considered the most dangerous country for a Christian to live in. Musselman says, "Terrorist organizations are trying to spark terror. That's what they're all about. If they get people worried about coming to church or proclaiming the Gospel, or not joining with them or living in fear and cowering, well then, they've accomplished their goal."

Church leaders are responding to hate with the love of Christ. In some places, followers of Christ come to church armed, in case they need to fight their way out of a service. More and more Christians are getting used to the increased security and the sight of armed guards at the front door of their houses of worship. That is actually what is doing the talking for them. Mussleman explains, "Even at times when they know there's potential of the church being blown up, especially at Christmas and Easter and special holidays, they say, ‘We're still going to meet. Jesus is still in control, even in the midst of violence.' Many Muslims are also seeing that, and it's opening their eyes up to the Gospel."

While many Christian families have been able to flee from these volatile areas, a small minority of remaining residents are now living in constant fear of further unexpected attacks. Musselman says they're coming alongside this remnant. "There are many ways that we're helping them and encouraging them. Nigeria is one of the biggest works that our Voice of the Martyrs family does, as well as Open Doors, because of all the need there."

Please continue to pray for the surviving victims of the attacks, as well as those who have tragically lost loved ones. Pray for wisdom as they respond to the Boko Haram, as well as to the Muslims in their community. Pray that the hope of Christ shines through and that hearts will be changed as a result.

There is an amazing story of forgiveness here. These Nigerian Christians share their hope and their joy.

The price of the ceasefire: freedom for the arrested members of the group and the rebuilding of the destroyed mosque of its leader, Mohammed Yusuf.

Too high a price to pay? For its part, the embattled Nigerian government said it would not make a formal pronouncement yet on the ceasefire until it had time to study the conditions. "It seems the government and the military are working on the assumption that this is a legitimate ceasefire offer. The military there has kind of taken a 30-day "wait and see,'" notes Voice of the Martyrs spokesman, Todd Nettleton.

"If there are no incidents, if there are no attacks, if there are no church bombings for the next 30 days, then we'll know they're serious and then we can move forward," adds Nettleton.

Boko Haram is loosely translated "Western education is sinful" in Hausa. The group had its origins in Borno state, and under the banner of fighting to impose Islamic law on Nigeria, spread to Adamawa, Abuja, Bauchi, Niger, Kano, Yobe, Kadun,a and throughout other parts of Nigeria's northeast.

However, since the ceasefire was announced 17 days ago, nine women taking part in a polio vaccination exercise in Kano city were murdered, and three Korean medical doctors were killed in Yobe state. These attacks bear the hallmarks of the extremist group, but security forces admit that the violence could also have been a criminal gang profiting from the growing lawlessness in Nigeria's northeast.

That raises doubts about how much effect a ceasefire would have on security. Nettleton agrees. He goes on to explain, "They want westerners out of northern Nigeria, and they want to push for Sharia law in northern Nigeria. It is hard to imagine, for me at least, a situation where they stop short of that and agree to some form of compromise. So this may just be a small period of them sort of regrouping, but again, it's just so early that we don't know how this is all going to play out."

As to the reason this story has flown under the radar? Past history and several broken accords litter this road paved with good intentions. Nobody knows who backed the idea or who will cooperate with the truce. "Is this widespread? Is this going to come down from the top to everybody? Is this one small group that wants to have some peace, and maybe there are others who don't?" Nettleton asks.

There is some cautious optimism. Nettleton says partners have been sending back reports. "In the city of Maiduguri, which is kind of the headquarters of Boko Haram, there are stories of businesses returning to somewhat normal business hours, people in the markets, people in the streets, more so than they have been." Still, the instability has taken its toll. "One of the impacts of the violence is that a lot of Christians have left the area. They simply have said, ‘We don't have a future here,' so there's that. When you talk about outreach, it complicates things–even simply to have someone come visit your church."

People are jittery, especially those who gather on Sunday in church. "Any guests at a church right now in northern Nigeria are watched with some apprehension and even fear. I've heard of churches that are putting in metal detectors. I've heard of churches where the Christians literally are taking machetes with them to church in case there's a battle that breaks out during the service, in case they have to fight their way out of the building."

Please pray for God's protection, regardless of whether the cease-fire holds. Pray that Muslims there will be reached with the Gospel. What's interesting, says Nettleton, is that more and more, Muslims are disenchanted with the things they're hearing from the al-Qaeda-linked Boko Haram. "The truth of Islam is coming out, and that can be a time of seed planting and even a time of revival."

It implies that an
unknown subject can be identified by observing habitual characteristics. In this case, it's the group Boko
Haram that has been hard at work spreading its message of "Western Education is
sinful."

According to the Associated
Press, the group is responsible for attacks on schools, churches and police
stations. In the first six months of
2012, they killed well over 600 people and injured thousands more. They've
declared a jihad on Christians in the North and are pushing for Sharia law
throughout the country by whatever means possible. Yet, the government does not want them
identified as a terror group.  

Nigerian
government officials are protesting the U.S. State Department listing Boko
Haram as a "Foreign Terrorist Organization." It's a move that "boggles the mind,"
says Voice of the Martyrs USA spokesman Todd Nettleton. "In June, the State Department designated three of the top Boko
Haram leaders as 'Specially Designated Global Terrorists.' So the three top
leaders are terrorists, but the group itself is not a terrorist group? It makes
no sense."

Nettleton goes on to say it appears that "the status quo is working for them in the financial
and trade areas even if it is not
working for them in terms bringing a stop to these attacks."

There
are concerns that such a designation would give the group credibility and embolden them to more attacks. The government also says Nigerian travelers
would be inconvenienced by embarrassing scrutiny, humiliation and
harassment. "It
just complicates matters," says Nettleton, explaining the government rationale, "because it places restrictions on
travel, it places restrictions on aid. So from the government's perspective,
they don't want those restrictions; they don't want those issues to be raised. So they have said, 'Please don't call them a terrorist group.'"

Yet, Boko Haram's
objectives have been clearly stated. "This is a group that is trying to make Nigeria into a
Sharia state. They want to follow Sharia law. They have told the Christians,
'If you want peace in Nigeria, you should become Muslim because Islam is the
only religion.'" Their actions, in any
other context, would be considered terrorism. 

The government's
stance on the terror designation sends an odd message to the Christians who
have been caught between the desire to avenge loved ones, protect themselves,
and yet 'turn the other cheek.' Nettleton
notes, "The Nigerian government, while they
don't want the world to call them a terrorist group, seems completely incapable
of stopping the Boko Haram from these attacks."

Lack of
recognition or effective deterrence is fueling more dissatisfaction. Despite the frequency of the attacks, there's
been little attention paid to the plight of the Boko Haram's targets. Nettleton says, in fact, "The U.S.
Government has said, 'Poverty has really caused this. It's not a matter of
ideology. It's really a matter that the people are poor and they're
disenfranchised. That's why they've
blown up your church.' That's not even the reality.  I think there's a frustration that the world
doesn't recognize what's going on in Northern Nigeria."

However, Nettleton says even though the circumstances have
created incredible fear among Christians, it hasn't stopped the advance of the Gospel. VOM has come alongside to provide
support as needed, but he says, "Pray for the protection of all of our
brothers and sisters there, those who
are doing the Gospel work. I think, secondly, we can pray for fruit. We can
pray that they will find receptive hearts, receptive minds, and people who
really want to know the Truth."

According to police, gunmen fired on a Bible study at Deeper Life Church in central Nigeria Monday, killing at least 19 people–including the
pastor–and wounding others. Hours later, bombers struck a primary school in Lokoja,
the capital of Kogi state. There's
also been an unconfirmed media report of another bomb discovered at the Revival Church in the same area.

The attacks represent a move into the central region of the country. Although no one has claimed it, the attack fits the
style of Boko Haram, a radical Islamist sect.

Boko Haram, whose name in Hausa means "Western
education is sacrilege," is responsible for more than 660 killings this
year alone in Nigeria, many of them at churches.

In preparation for this story, Christian Aid Mission Africa Director Rae Burnett spoke with the head of the mission agency they
support to ask about the latest incident. While not dismissive of the tragedy, he indicated that there's more
violence than what occasionally gets reported in the media. "'If we told
you every time an attack occurs, or every time that shots are fired or bombs
are thrown, cars are hijacked or people are just killed, I would do nothing but
sit at my computer.'"

The tension levels are reaching critical mass. "Everybody is fearful–" explains
Burnett, "Christians and non-Christians
because you can be at the wrong place at the wrong time. It's not just churches
that are being attacked."

Boko Haram has a singular focus: to re-create Nigeria as an
Islamic state, instill Sharia law, and eradicate the Christian population. Despite U.S. sanctions imposed on three
leaders of the group, they appear unfazed. In fact, says Burnett, "Just
this past week they threatened the president and said that he has to convert
to Islam and rule under Sharia."

The conundrum: the attacks open doors for the Gospel, but
also have been problematic. This particular ministry partner
also indicated that because they're using resources to assist the attack
victims in multiple areas, they can't maintain the work goals they wanted to achieve. 

Even so, Burnett says, "These missionaries are even
more committed to expending every ounce of their own lives for the Gospel of the
Lord, so they're not at all intimidated."

The work
of this ministry partner has now expanded geographically to cover most of the Islamic north of Nigeria. With
100 missionaries to oversee, there's a lot at stake. Burnett explains: "The headquarters is in extreme
danger because people do know what it is. Tthey hardly even go to their office,
but he needs to have a headquarters in which to operate."   

Christian Aid Mission helped buy land for a new building,
but then funds ran dry. The partner reports
that more than 50 pastors and missionary
leaders have so far died at the hands of Boko Haram. Burnett says, "This is really
a crucial thing for them. They're in extreme danger where they are now. It has nothing
to do with the missionary leaving the field. It's not the field. It's the headquarters of
the ministry. None of the missionaries have left the field and their places of
ministry."

Christian Aid wants to support this partner by raising as
much of the $35,000 needed as possible to start construction on a safer headquarters
in Abuja. See our Featured Links
Section for details.

In a press release by a Boko Haram leader,
the sect said, "We thank God for our success in the attack on Christians
at Barikin Ladi and Riyom, whereby security agents, Christians, and two state
and national assembly members were killed."

This is what makes the recent attacks noteworthy. Todd Nettleton, Communications Manager for the Voice
of the Martyrs USA, says the
extremists are bent on removing Christian presence in the north. In this latest press release, Boko Haram also essentially told Christians
that they must either convert to Islam or "they will not know peace again."

It is a jihad, a religious war against Christians for refusing to
embrace Islam. Nettleton explains, "In other words, 'We're going to keep up
these attacks; we're going to keep up this violence until every single Christian
in northern Nigeria has either converted to Islam, left the area, or been
killed.'"

Attacks occurred during  a
Saturday mass funeral of 63 Birom church members. Birom reprisals raised the
weekend death toll to 200. Word of
talks between the government and the sect were not independently confirmed. Because
the government has not had an effective security response, people in the north
and central Nigeria are feeling vulnerable.     

There were reports that some churches were beginning to go empty on
Sundays in Kaduna, Bauchi, and Kano States. However, in Jos, Nettleton says, "I spoke with a Nigerian Christian
recently who said the people were taking machetes with them when they went to church
because they knew that in just the act of going to church, they could become a
target. They wanted to some type of way of defending themselves if there was
an attack while they were at church."

The face that believers have not been intimidated away from their churches
in Plateau State is interesting. It's
part of the "paradox of persecution," explains Nettleton. "It changes your
entire mindset if going to church means 'I could be killed.' That really does
raise the significant issue of how important is it to gather with other believers
for worship, Bible study, and for other things when it literally means you could
give your life."

The scale of persecution of Christians by Muslims has
accelerated and is expected to
continue. It has caused the death of
thousands–including pastors, and the destruction of hundreds–even thousands,
of churches. More than 2,000 people have been killed since the Boko Haram
insurgency began in late 2009.

On the up side, says Nettleton, the threat does two things: "Nominal
Christians become more serious about their faith and make it much more
personal. The other thing: Gospel activity can produce fruit because in times
of upheaval, people are thinking about eternity."

The ministry has an active presence in Nigeria. VOM Medical helps victims of persecution, and
they partner with a school to help orphans whose parents were martyred for
their faith. "The other thing that we're involved in
is Bible distribution and providing Gospel material, children's Bibles, full Bibles, New Testaments, and other
Gospel presentations for the churches there."

Pray for wisdom and guidance for Nigeria's Christian president,
Goodluck Jonathan, and for all those who serve with him as leaders of this
nation. Pray that Christians will not retaliate but will demonstrate Christ's
love and peace.

The Voice of the Martyrs can always use help. Check our Featured Links Section for
details.

Africa Director for Christian Aid Mission Rae Burnett notes that was
even before the Islamic terrorist group al-Shabaab came into prominence.

Al-Shabaab is the Somalia-based cell
of al-Qaeda hunting down Christians in both Somalia and now, in Kenya. The
group has been getting bolder and more organized. Burnett explains, "There's been a huge, huge influx of Somalis
that have overrun the country, I mean even into Nairobi. They stick together,
and they are told by their government that now that there's so many of them
there, they really need to take over the country and establish Sharia."

It seems that the Kenyan town of
Garissa, right on the border with Somalia, was getting less and less friendly to
non-Muslims. "This
is a town, that when I hear the name, I know there's danger there," says
Burnett. She adds that in the 15 years she's been aware of the changing conditions there, Gospel inroads
have been made. "Missionaries have been putting churches there, trying to bring
people to Christ for years. They have now become a target of the Muslim
extremists."

However, that didn't always sit well
with the local population. "When
doing any kind of evangelical work, the Muslims have sent their children to
stone them." An indigenous ministry
leader helped by Christian Aid told Burnett that the most recent attack was more evidence of the hostilities in the
region toward Christians. "He said
that plans to burn the churches were executed inside the mosque. Their thinking
is that this is just totally for the outside world to hear."

Seventeen people were killed July 1 in Garissa as terrorists threw grenades into two churches and opened fire. It appears to be an effort to deepen rifts
between Muslims and Christians in Kenya. These same people are also blamed for
attacks on secular entertainment venues as well as the kidnapping and murder of
aid workers.

Communication
with indigenous ministries (supported by Christian Aid Mission) indicates increasing
alarm among believers and disruption to Gospel work.

In the wake of
the latest incident, one leader wrote:

This is big blow to our ministry vision, and
our outreaches among the Muslims in the northern frontiers of Kenya. We are so
much concerned at the trend of constant attacks on the churches in Kenya by al
Shabaab terror group. I was planning another outreach in that area. So many of
them have never been reached with the Gospel.

We are praying and planning to evacuate the
wife and her children for some time till the situation improves. Please pray
for our security. Any help extended to this family will be appreciated as we
move in to assist.

Another sent this message:

Most of our churches in Northern Kenya have
closed down due to attacks by the al Shabaab terrorists. The most affected areas
are Wajir, Modogashe, Liboi, Garbatulla, Merti, Turbi, parts of Marsabit and
some parts of Isiolo where you have spent so much time with the Samburu
believers. Most Christians had to evacuate to safer areas. Missionaries and
pastors who have been serving there had to relocate.

Now, there's word that Muslim
leaders are offering to protect Christians following the attacks. But, says Burnett, Christians are
incredulous. "Even if Muslims did offer something like that, no one would
accept it because they would believe it to be a threat based on their
experience with them in the past, particularly in an area like that where
everyone (the Muslim community) is so close knit."

Burnett notes that Christian workers explained why they're so distrustful. "As
these churches were being attacked, the Garissa women…(I'm reading directly
here) 'after the attacks in Garissa, young men and women were celebrating in the
streets.'"

Additionally, reprisal violence could be the spark that sets the tinder
box aflame. "The nominal Christians are often the ones that cause so much
of the problem. Those who really know the Lord, they understand the risk, and
they're willing to bring people to Christ and to risk their lives for
that."  

Gospel work continues, but believers are going to have to tread
carefully. Burnett says prayer is the best
defense. "Everyone, as a believer, needs wisdom and protection. We're
always in such danger, whether we know it or not. These men and women and children
who are on the forefront of this violence really need to know the Lord's will
and that Christ will be seen."

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