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Earthquake, violence and injustice afflict Christians across the world

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Published: 00:00 GMT Standard Time - Tuesday 19 January 2010

Earthquake, violence and injustice afflict Christians across the world

Project(s): 95-852, 00-345

Country/Region: Haiti, Egypt, Nigeria

As Haiti rightly draws global attention, Christians continue to suffer violence and injustice, largely unreported.

In Haiti, there is terrible distress. Following a massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake on 12 January, up to 200,000 people are feared dead. Looting and lawlessness is gripping the country as people struggle to find food and shelter. Barnabas Fund is channelling donations through a similar Christian partner organisation, to provide food, water filtration equipment, shelter and medical supplies, delivering aid to evangelical churches.

Another Christian partner organisation has requested help from Barnabas Fund to redevelop the evangelical community in Haiti after immediate relief needs have been met. This long term reconstruction will need to include income-generation programmes and church buildings, in order to help the evangelical church to be re-established.

Please see below for details of how to donate for Haiti.

But while the disaster in Haiti deservedly gets substantial international media coverage, it is important that we do not forget those who are deliberately targeted and persecuted for their faith in Christ, but whose suffering gets little attention or publicity around the world.

As well as the earthquake in Haiti, there have been serious incidents of injustice and violence for Christians in Egypt and Nigeria. In Nag Hammadi and neighbouring Bahgoura, upper Egypt, over 100 Christian young men were arrested without warrant. Some were boys as young as 16. This was apparently to pressure a local church leader to withdraw his statements about the negligence of State Security following the deaths of six Christian worshippers in a drive-by shooting on 6 January.

On 17 January violence erupted in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, Nigeria. The violence was condemned by the Plateau State Christian Elders Consultative Forum as “terrorism on churches in the state”. The statement said that the attack, coming just as Christians were emerging from the churches after their Sunday worship services, was “premeditated, wicked, deliberate and terrifying.” State Police Commissioner Mr Greg Anyanting likewise stated that the violence began when Muslim youths, without any provocation, attacked worshippers. But other reports claim it arose in disputes over the re-building of houses following severe anti-Christian violence in the same city in November 2008. Several houses, mosques and churches were set alight in the unrest. On Tuesday 19 January, reports suggested that clashes had spread to a new area of Jos and gunfire could be heard. A death toll of 149 is now reported.

Barnabas Fund is continually supporting Christians who have been the victims of anti-Christian violence and injustice, all around the world. Please see below for details of how to donate to help our persecuted brothers and sisters.

Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund, says,

“We are all shocked to see the devastation that has afflicted Haiti and heartened to see the way in which the international community has rallied round to pour in funds and personnel to assist this suffering people. But I am shocked also by the scale of anti-Christian violence we have seen in the last month, and the number of different countries where it is happening. I cannot remember such a spate of attacks on our brothers and sisters happening in my lifetime. As you pray for the people of Haiti in their distress, remember also Christians who are enduring violence and injustice at the hands of others but whose plight and faces do not fill our TV screens. Please give as the Lord prompts you to either or both needs.”

Donate Today

Will you help to relieve the suffering of your Christian brothers and sisters?

If you would like to make a gift for the relief of Haiti’s earthquake victims, please send your donation to project reference 95-852 (Haiti Earthquake Fund). Please click to donate online using our secure server for 95-852.

If you would like to make a gift to help those Christians suffering violence and injustice for their faith, please send your donation to project 00-345 (Victims of Violence Fund). Please click to donate online using our secure server for 00-345.

If you prefer to telephone, dial: 0800 587 4006 from within the UK or +44 1672 565031 from outside the UK. Please quote project reference 95-852 (Haiti Earthquake Fund) or 00-345 (Victims of Violence Fund).

If you prefer to send a cheque by post: Click this link for the address of our regional office. Please quote project reference 95-852 (Haiti Earthquake Fund) or 00-345 (Victims of Violence Fund).

Please Pray:

Please pray for countless thousands left homeless in Haiti, for those who lost loved ones, and for those seeking to help them. Pray for protection from disease and illegal activity during this time of crisis. Pray that aid and relief will reach those in need as quickly as possible. Pray that our Christian brothers and sisters will find hope, strength and comfort in the Lord and be able to share this with others.
Pray for Christians who have suffered violence and injustice in Egypt and Nigeria, that they will find comfort and peace in the Lord Jesus at this time and that the perpetrators of the attacks will be brought to justice.

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