On Saturday, 21 June 2025, eight Christian youths were arrested in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, after they spent the day evangelising in different neighbourhoods in the capital.
Around 9 a.m. that morning, the Christian youth (seven men and one woman) from various churches travelled to different communities in the capital city to evangelise. After visiting several neighbourhoods, they went to the home of one of their classmates to pray together before separating.
According to bystanders, a Toyota military vehicle stopped at the house and arrested the students before taking them to the central police station (formerly the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
Various local news sources report that all eight individuals were transported from the police station in a vehicle with tinted windows to an unknown destination. Their parents have received no news about their children’s whereabouts or the charges against them.
Christians Labelled ‘Infidels’
Open Doors’ local partners suspect local Muslim leaders called the police to inform them that Christian youth were trying to ‘force’ the conversion of the Muslim youths.
Another local evangelist told Open Doors’ partners this was not an isolated incident, as she and her family have also been on the receiving end of intimidation, threats, and arrests. “Since we started our ministry, Muslim leaders like imams and marabouts attack us in the field,” she shared. Her husband has been arrested at least six times for organising evangelisation campaigns.
Hostility towards Christians is growing in Chad, especially toward those who openly share their faith. This year Chad entered the Top 50 on the World Watch List at number 49. Although Chad is a secular republic, Islam is the majority religion and pervades the whole of society, causing some Chadians to show hostility and intolerance towards Christians whom they regard as ‘infidels’.
Pray for Chad:
- Pray for the release of the students.
- Pray they will be treated fairly and transparently in this situation.
- Pray for the emotional and spiritual protection of these students and that this incident will not impact their fervour to share the gospel.
- Pray also for their parents; pray for God’s peace and comfort over them.
- Pray for the Church in Chad to speak up on behalf of these young believers with clarity, conviction, and in obedience to God.
- Pray against any intimidation that may occur towards these believers, their families, and the Church in general.
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