Imagine you are at home, enjoying a quiet evening. It’s dusk, the sun is setting behind the hills. Your family is around, perhaps your children or grandchildren are there with you, playing games on the floor. This is the best part of the day, relaxing after your work is done.
Suddenly the calm is broken by the roar of motorcycles, maybe thirty or more of them … on your property, in your yard, driving up to your house. Tentatively, fearfully, you look at them out the front window…it’s a large group of young men – teenagers, really — wearing camouflage, faces covered with scarves or masks…and armed with rifles. They’re coming toward your front door. You don’t wait to find out what they want, you gather your family together and leave by the back door. You can hear them banging on your front door, then breaking through just as you get out. You flee to a neighbor’s house…or maybe your neighbors are fleeing too, because another group of teens is attacking them, so you head together toward the nearest town. Literally with only the clothes on your back.
The invaders take what they want of your things and set fire to your house. You call the police, and they tell you…Sorry, there’s nothing we can do.
If you live in Nigeria and are a Christian (Catholic, Anglican, evangelical), this exact nightmare occurs regularly. Simple, devout people are attacked and driven from their farms because Islamic extremists want their land…and they want all the Christians gone from Nigeria.
On behalf of Solidarity with the Persecuted Church, and joined by the acclaimed filmmaker Jordan Allott, SPC President Steve Wagner traveled to Nigeria to understand the situation on the ground. Watch this podcast to learn all about our trip.
Everything we had expected was worse. Much worse. Our Christian brothers and sisters continue to be ruthlessly attacked. Only days after Steve and Jordan returned to the United States, 200 Christians were massacred in Benue State, where they had visited.
SPC is committed to aiding persecuted Christians in Nigeria, and there are ways you can help! Please give us 2 minutes of your time.
Sign our Petition. Let your voice be heard as SPC calls upon the U.S. Government to insist the government of Nigeria protects all of its citizens, including Christians.
Support Local Projects. Contribute what you are able towards 3 projects that SPC is funding on the ground:
1. A well for fresh water access for internally displaced persons (IDP), most of whom are women and children, at the IDP Camp in Ortese, Benue State
SPC’s President, Steve Wagner, was at the Ortese IDP camp. In his words… It’s row after row of huts made of tarps in a sweltering sun. And there’s no well for fresh water – and some people have been here six years! Women and children – as most of the men were killed in the attacks which forced Christians to flee in the first place — have to walk miles to get water – often several times a day. With your help, we’re going to drill a well at the camp.
2. Medical equipment for a clinic serving both Christians and Muslims in Sokoto, currently being built under the auspices of Bishop Kukah’s Diocese
In the far northwest state of Nigeria, Sokoto, there is a courageous Catholic bishop, Matthew Kukah. Sokoto is majority Muslim and imposes Sharia Law, but the Christian presence is strong. Bishop Kukah is building a medical facility that will serve everyone, promoting peace between religions. Bishop Kukah needs our help buying equipment for his clinic.
3. Detectors, fences, and communication equipment for churches and rectories to share with endangered communities, to warn Christians before attacks begin
We can help protect local churches, rectories, and Christian communities from attacks by the Fulani jihadists. Fences, detectors, and communication equipment are all urgently needed to give these Christians life-saving advance warning and help them be prepared before attacks happen.
We ask you to prayerfully consider helping us pay for these projects with as generous a contribution as you can. If you are moved to help persecuted Christians in Nigeria, know that love of them is part of love of God.
Thank you for joining us in this mission.