But with your support, hope can arise.

One day. That’s all it took to destroy Jemal’s* home, his business and the life he’d built. “I lost all hope for the future. I gave up on everything.”

Christian homes were set ablaze leaving hundreds of Christian families homeless the day Islamic militants descended on Jemal’s town in central Ethiopia, after months of rising tension.

No one came to help.

It was a calculated attack on the Church itself.

“Mobs went house to house, singling out Christian homes,” said Jemal. “Their goal was to eliminate Christianity.”

And this hostility is not confined to Ethiopia…

The Church is burning

Across sub-Saharan Africa, violent persecution is unprecedented. More than 16 million Christians have been forced from their homes.

Women are targeted with extreme sexual violence, resulting in trauma and shame. Men like Jemal, the breadwinners, are helpless as militants destroy businesses and force families into poverty.

But while attacks on men and women look different, the endgame is the same: destroy the Church.

Our vision is to support four million persecuted believers in sub-Saharan Africa in practical, emotional and spiritual ways. Believers like Jemal.

After sleeping on the floor of an abandoned building in another town for months, Jemal, along with 30 other families, took the brave decision to return to their old community and start again.

During this time, it devastated Jemal that his role as the family provider and protector had been taken from him. But through our generous supporters, we’ve been able to provide Jemal and his family with spiritual and trauma support and we’re helping him rebuild his businesses.

“We endure many hardships,” said Jemal, pinching his eyes to keep the tears from flowing. “We can’t restore what we lost. It is impossible. But God can.”

You can help Jemal and others like him rebuild from the ashes. Your gift can provide trauma care, food, shelter or even help a persecuted Christian start a business.

Will you help persecuted believers rebuild their lives?

Every R630 could provide trauma care to a Christian who has faced extreme persecution.

Every R990 could give food, shelter and clothing to four believers in Africa for a month.

Every R1 440 could help a persecuted believer set up a business and give financial security.

I have hope,” said Jemal. “Our God can do everything.”

PLEASE PRAY

• Give thanks for Jemal’s faith and courage and ask God to strengthen him.
• For other Christians forced to flee their homes because of violent persecution.
• That the world will wake up to the crisis facing the Church in sub-Saharan Africa.

PLEASE SPEAK OUT

We aim to raise a million prayers and petitions as part of the Arise Africa campaign.
• Please add your name to the Arise Africa petition.
• If you’ve already signed – thank you. Could you encourage someone else to sign today?

“Arise, shine, for your light has come.” – Isaiah 60:1

*Name changed to protect him.

*Any excess funds will be used to strengthen persecuted Christians where urgent help is needed.