Pastor Adriano of Zanzibar

Christian Life Church was started in 2006 to minister to Believers from a Muslim Background who had nowhere to worship. “We decided to start a fellowship in a member's home to make it easier for Believers from a Muslim Background to attend,” said Pastor Adriano. The church had 52 members.

In May 2008, the authorities ordered them to evacuate the government-owned house. The church moved to another residence, only to be  officially kicked out again two months later. The church was then given permission to build a temporary assembly hall on land owned by a man named Benedictus. However, on 25 December 2008 the authorities announced that the land belonged to the government and had been given to another party for the construction of another building.

Pastor Adriano made an appointment with the government minister for land to discuss the matter, but before the meeting had taken place, labourers demolished the church building. They warned churchgoers that any attempt to intervene with their work would lead to imprisonment.

Pastor Adriano kept his appointment with the minister, who promised to compensate them with land in the Tunguu area. “But the authorities have done nothing [since],” says Pastor Adriano.

Church members have decided to join the neighbouring Church of God on Sundays until the dispute has been resolved.