Have you seen the news coming out of Nigeria these past few months? Reports of Christian villages being attacked, kidnappings, and gruesome murders fill the headlines! How is this possible in the most populated Christian country in Africa? As a follower of Jesus, we need to understand and determine what we can do to help.

While Nigeria boasts over 100 million Christian believers, they are mostly located in the southern half of the country. Very few Christians live in northern Nigeria where radical groups such as Boko Haram operate freely. Throughout Nigeria, the Muslim majority political system has much influence and control.

This Muslim political system is trained to look the other way when persecutions and atrocities against Christians occur.

The system is weak and complacent, tolerating the appalling behavior of Boko Haram and other radical groups. Recently, a college student was stoned, beaten and burnt to death after being accused of “making a social media post that blasphemed ... Prophet Muhammad.” Muslim leaders have been slow to condemn the attack, an all too familiar reaction, and people are growing frustrated!

Our leaders on the ground tell me that Christians are taking a back seat. For generations, they have avoided involvement in politics and business, leading to a void of influence in those spheres. The minority radical groups have laid siege to the country, creating a highly volatile environment. It’s time for believers everywhere to pray into this situation! The only source of true love and peace in Nigeria is the Gospel. 

• Pray for Christians to step into areas of influence in business and politics. 
• Pray for protection for Christians, living in the predominant Muslim North, who are vulnerable and continuously being targeted. 
• Pray for Christians in the South to have a ‘missionary spirit’ to take the Gospel into the dark corners of Islamic strongholds.

Faithfully, 
Greg Kelley CEO