MWC urges prayer for suffering church in Nigeria

A call for solidarity

December 23, 2014 | Web First
From a report by Mennonite World Conference
Rebecca Dali, a member of the Church of the Brethren, visits a displaced family in a makeshift camp they fled to because of violence in northeast Nigeria. (Photo courtesy of Rebecca Dali, on the Church of Brethren website)

For the second time in four months Mennonite World Conference issued an urgent appeal for prayer, this time for the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria – EYN), which is experiencing horrendous violence and persecution by Boko Haram.

In a letter shared with MWC member churches and networks, MWC calls for its churches to offer a shower of prayer, blessing, solidarity, and financial support for the suffering church in Nigeria.

In a recent news release, Samuel Dali, the president of the EYN, warns of the possibility of “genocide” of Christians in northern Nigeria. He reports that eight pastors and 3,038 EYN members have been killed, 80 kidnapped and 96,000 displaced. He also writes, “EYN is severely damaged by the terrorists in many ways. The whole Lardin Gabas, the historical center of EYN, has been almost destroyed. So, continue to pray so that the Lord can increase our faith and give the strength to bear the suffering. . . . The people they have killed are still uncounted and not buried.”

MWC encourages its members to become informed about what Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria are experiencing, by using resources and links included in the letter. Member churches are also encouraged to send MWC a copy of correspondence and connections made with EYN, so that MWC is aware of all possible initiatives.

In September 2014 Mennonite World Conference issued the first urgent appeal for prayer, on behalf of Middle East Christians. Church leaders in the Middle East have expressed how critically important solidarity is for them. MWC urges those who have not yet done so, to continue the prayer “shower” for the Middle East churches. The details of how to do so can be seen here. 

The MWC letter concerning the Nigerian violence is signed by Robert Suderman, secretary for the Mennonite World Conference Peace Commission, and Cesar Garcia, general secretary for Mennonite World Conference. Quoting Galatians 6:2, they write: “Often in situations such as these, it is the sense of loneliness and lack of evident support from others that is most discouraging. Let us bear these burdens together. Let us assure these brothers and sisters of prayers and actions on their behalf.”

—Posted Dec. 23, 2014

See also:

Church of the Brethren rallies to support kidnapped Nigerian girls 

Boko Haram takes aim at churches in northeast Nigeria 

Rebecca Dali, a member of the Church of the Brethren, visits a displaced family in a makeshift camp they fled to because of violence in northeast Nigeria. (Photo courtesy of Rebecca Dali, on the Church of Brethren website)

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