“More than once my family sent extremists to kill us. Their plans never worked.”
– Naomi*, a believer from Mali
10 years ago in northern Mali, churches were burned, and Christians were forced to flee when extremist groups took control of the region. Though some believers have trickled back in, some areas remain without any Christians.
The trauma lingers, and the threat of violence and abduction still hangs over the Christian community, making sharing the gospel risky. Anyone who converts from Islam also risks violence and pressure from their relatives if their faith is discovered.
Christian men and boys in the country’s north are often subject to death threats and attacks because of their faith. Some are abducted and killed, devastating their families and communities. Others are recruited by extremist groups where they are forcibly converted to Islam.
Female believers in Mali are also vulnerable to threats, violence, sexual abuse, and even death at the hands of outraged community or family members when their faith is discovered.
– Pray that God will provide for Christians attempting to rebuild their lives after violence.
– Pray that extremism will not instil fear but drive more people to want to know the love of Christ.
– Pray for guidance over Malian authorities as they seek to suppress extremism in the country.
