Pastor Michée holds a photo of his late father and asks an urgent question…

“Thousands of Christians are being killed across Africa. We are raising our voices and talking about it. Will you?”

Last year, at least 4 491 Christians were killed for their faith in sub-Saharan Africa. Now Pastor Michée is sharing his story to wake us up to what’s happening.

31 Christians killed

Michée’s father, Filibert, was a committed believer. His church of 600 people lived peacefully alongside their neighbours in Burkina Faso. But one day, militant extremists launched a deadly attack.

“In the blink of an eye, more than 100 terrorists entered the village,” said Michée. “They handcuffed people, brought them to church, and shot them dead. Thirty-one people were killed. The women and children were all dispersed in the bush.”

Michée received a phone call to say his father had been killed. Then, a picture…

“Tears came to my eyes, and my heart was deeply in pain,” he said. “I recognised my father by his shoes.”

Doubting God

The brutality of that day had a devastating impact. Not only were lives taken, but the village was destroyed. Believers felt abandoned. Even Pastor Michée began to doubt…

“It felt like God had let us down,” says Michée. “Prayer was no longer meaningful to me. I was uttering words but, deep down, I was doubting. I had bitterness in my heart. I wanted to take revenge for my people.”

Across the region, violent persecution is shaking people’s faith. Christians are traumatised. Widows and orphans are left behind. The Church is in danger of being smothered by despair and grief.

Your gifts and prayers are vital.

Arise Africa

Since 2023, as part of the Arise Africa campaign, we’ve been calling Christians everywhere to stand alongside our brothers and sisters against violent persecution.

Our vision is to provide spiritual, emotional and practical support to four million Christians being persecuted for their faith. We also want to raise a million petitions and prayers to ensure violent Christian persecution in sub-Saharan Africa can no longer be ignored.

Today, your support can help stop the violence and start the healing – for Michée and others.

“My relationship with God was revived through trauma care and I re-found hope in God,” says Michée.

As he says: “Untreated trauma is contagious.” But so is hope!

He’s now helping others affected by the attack by providing the same trauma counselling that has been helping him.

“Now I would like to honour the people we lost in the attack. We are raising our voices and talking about it. Will you join us?”

Remember them

Michée, Deborah and Nathalie hold the images of their loved ones who died as martyrs for the name of Christ.

Please pray

• Ask God to fill Pastor Michée with faith and strength for his vital ministry.
• Pray for the widows and children in the village, that their faith stays alive.
• Lift up the families of Filibert, Abel and Thomas, that God will meet them in their grief.

Please give

• Every R470 could provide trauma care to a persecuted Christian and bring hope and healing.
• Every R875 could equip a leader like Pastor Michée to provide trauma support to their community.
• Every R1 070 could provide one believer with medicine and shelter, and long-term support.

Please speak out

Sign the Arise Africa petition!

The petition calls for Christians and other vulnerable individuals in sub-Saharan Africa to be treated with dignity and respect through:

• Protection: Provide robust protection from violent militant attacks.
• Justice: Ensure justice through fair prosecutions of the attackers.
• Restoration: Bring healing and restoration to all affected communities.

If you have already signed – thank you. Could you encourage someone else to sign today?