Hatred, spanning multiple decades of time, between religious groups in Nigeria continues to resurrect itself. This past weekend, at least 500 Christians - including women and children - were killed near the city of Jos, Nigeria, by Hausa-Fulani, an ethnic group.
Religion and ethnicity play a dual role in this long-standing conflict, as those Christian villagers killed were also a part of an ethic group that have an ongoing feud with the Hausa-Fulani. In December 2008, a Nigeria Assemblies of God district superintendent was cut to pieces and burned by the Hausa-Fulani during one of these attacks that often results in hundreds, if not thousands, dead.
"These are brutal, vicious attacks," states Randy Hurst, AG World Missions Communications director. "Frequently, homes and churches are burned to the ground, sometimes with people still inside, and those fleeing for their lives are killed with machetes, mutilated and/or burned, no matter the age or gender. "
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Currently the Nigeria Assemblies of God has just over 2.7 million adherents, 11,710 ministers and 10,547 preaching points in the country. Hurst says that currently all U.S. AG missionaries in Nigeria are safe and no AG churches have been reported destroyed during this conflict - as they have been in past attacks. However, it remains to be seen if any AG members were killed in this incident.
"The continent of Africa is plagued with physical suffering and violence," says Mike McClaflin, AG regional director for Africa. "We never have a total reprieve from our concern for our fellow believers throughout Africa and, at present, Nigeria is seeing a flare-up of renewed violence. These are times to uphold our Christian brothers and sisters in prayer. But we also rejoice that in times of crisis we have so many strong national AG churches and believers who are ready to reach out to the suffering, minister to their needs and share the gospel."
"Please join us in lifting the people of Nigeria up in prayer," requests John Bueno, executive director of AG World Missions. "If we as a body of believers unite in prayer, we can see God do something beyond our imaginings to unite Nigeria in peace."
