Updates on the persecuted Church
Barnabas Fund, 22 March 2023 (excerpts)
- Uyghur house church pastor Alimujiang Yimiti (Alim) has been released after 15 years’ imprisonment in China and is now home with his family. Alim, a convert to Christianity from Islam, served as a pastor in Kashgar, Xinjiang province, until his arrest in 2008 for alleged anti-state activities. He was finally sentenced in August 2009 after being subjected to two trials held in secret, with his family prohibited from attending. Give thanks for Alim’s release.
- At least 10 residents of a community in Kaduna State, Nigeria, were killed in an attack by suspected Fulani extremists on 14 March. The attackers also looted a shop before being repelled by police. Around 84% of the Atyap people are Christians. Ask the Lord to comfort the bereaved and heal those wounded in the Atyap community.
- A Christian aid worker from the United States who was abducted by Islamists in Niger more than six years ago has been released. Jeff Woodke, 61, was taken by armed jihadists from his home in northern Niger, in October 2016. Give thanks for the release of our brother and pray for his recovery following his lengthy ordeal.
- The blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armenian Christian region within Azerbaijan, has been continuing for more than three months. Residents suffer shortages of food and medicine, along with power and energy outages. Pray for a peaceful resolution.