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Africa: Hostile Access

Overview:

The gospel was first brought to Ethiopia in the first century, but many Ethiopian Christians still face persecution today. In southern Ethiopia, political unrest and the rise of Wahhabism, an extreme branch of Islam, among the Oromo people have resulted in a wave of attacks against Christians across the region.

Eastern Ethiopia has one of the largest Somali populations in the world, and Christians there are persecuted by both their communities and their families. In northern Ethiopia, militants among the Ethiopian Orthodox Church persecute Christians outside their denomination.

Several majority-Muslim tribal groups throughout Ethiopia also persecute Christians. Freedom of religion is guaranteed under Ethiopian law, and the national government generally works to protect the rights of Christians. But recent political unrest has created opportunities for large attacks on Christians and churches throughout the country.

Still, many churches in Ethiopia continue to plant new churches and send missionaries to difficult areas. In November 2020, a civil war broke out in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, causing immense suffering and greatly affecting churches and pastors.

Major Religion:

59 percent of Ethiopians are Christians. Islam is growing, and Muslims now compose nearly 40 percent of the population.

Persecutor:

Believers in the south and east face persecution, especially those who leave Islam to follow Christ. Some believers living in the north are persecuted by militants among the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and armed rebel groups attack Christians and churches.

What It Means To Follow Christ In Ethiopia

Most Christians worship freely and openly. However, believers from other denominations are sometimes pressured by militants among the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and Christian converts from Islam face violence and even death threats in Muslim-majority areas.

Access To Bibles

Bibles are printed, sold and distributed in Ethiopia with no restrictions. However, in many rural areas believers can be severely persecuted for owning a Bible.

VOM Work

VOM helps rebuild destroyed churches and believers’ homes, helps care for widows of martyrs, provides Bibles to believers in persecuted areas, supports local church evangelism efforts and equips pastors in difficult regions.

Prayer Requests:

• Pray that Christians in Ethiopia will stand firm and proclaim the gospel.
• Pray that Christians whose church buildings have been burned by Islamists will find new places to worship.
• Pray for Christian converts from Islam who are now being persecuted for following Christ.
• Pray that Christians will share the Good News of Christ with the growing Muslim population.
• Pray that Christians who have lost homes and churches in Islamist attacks will be able to forgive and rebuild.

About Coram Deo

Coram Deo — before the face of God. This blog reflects on Scripture, world events, science, music, psychology, and the human mind — always through the lens of Christian faith. All of life is lived before the face of God.