Violence in Nigeria

Audio: What Actually Happened
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Audio: What Actually Happened

Gospel Art

For centuries women in Africa, Asia and the Middle East have used henna, a temporary tattoo drawn onto hands, arms and legs, to beautify themselves. In east Africa, henna is used to illustrate and tell Bible stories — symbols in the drawings remind women of stories they’ve heard and help them tell others.

In Their Own Words

Throughout Africa, missionaries are planting their lives among unique people groups and demonstrating what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Here, in their own words, they share the joys and challenges of cross-cultural work.

To the Ends of the Earth

“Ends of the earth” is sometimes overused in mission circles, but eastern Niger really does feel like the most remote location on the planet. “The Gospel hasn’t made it here yet. That’s why we have to be here,” says a missionary. “…“Not everyone gets that opportunity, to be the first person to tell someone about Jesus.”

South Africa Is Still Here

The prayer of IMB urban missionaries in South Africa is that God would use the soccer World Cup to draw attention to the lost people of the nation’s cities. IMB missionaries minister in five cities that were hosts of the 2010 World Cup: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.

World Cup Ministries – Part II

South Africa is the first African nation to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a soccer tournament that many deem the most anticipated sporting event on earth. Christians are taking advantage of this to share Christ in local communities through soccer clinics, big screen showings, and more.

World Cup Ministries

South Africa is the first African nation to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a soccer tournament that many deem the most anticipated sporting event on earth. Christians are taking advantage of this to share Christ in local communities through soccer clinics, big screen showings, and more.

Forty Years of Influence

Franklin and Paula Kilpatrick worked among Zambian Christians as publishers of Christian literature, as teachers, as church planters and as leaders, friends and counselors for forty years. They retire next year and feel like they could keep doing what they are doing another forty years.

Unopened Hearts

Ibrahima Dieng has heard the Gospel many times, he is no closer now to being a Christian than he was ten years ago. He is typical of many residents of Dakar, Senegal, a city that is 96 percent Muslim.

A Better Alternative

IMB missionary Alan Locke and his team have started various ministries to build relationships and community with Sowetans. From coaching boys’ soccer teams and teaching girls’ clubs to leading abstinence and Christian living trainings, the missionaries are making an impact with the Gospel.

Reaching Mungiki

Kenyan pastor Michael Kabochi’s life is regularly threatened by Mungiki, a quasi-religious sect that’s synonymous with machete killings, rape and organized crime. But, Kobochi bravely shares the Gospel with Mungiki, claiming, “The blood of Jesus was shed for them as much as it was for me.”

Fighting Neverland

Chronic conflicts in Sudan have led to food shortages, a damaged economy and a lack of access to basic health services, education and jobs. Young IMB missionaries are using HIV/AIDS awareness, hygiene projects and other methods to share the Gospel and meet community needs.

Human Trafficking

Raped and kicked out of home, “Lisha” turned to a boyfriend who eventually forced her into prostitution. Transferred to another pimp and coerced into moving, she’s far from home and desperate for a way out. But with the coming of the World Cup, human trafficking will only increase in South Africa.

Caught in the Crossfire

“I murdered people, and I raped women, and I enjoyed it,” says a former rebel solder in eastern Congo. With the help of local pastors, he and hundreds of other soldiers found forgiveness in Christ. But they, and their victims, still struggle with what they’ve done.

Fusion

Students spend a semester in southern Sudan putting into practice the previous semesters classroom learning of sharing about Jesus in harsh environment.

Africa Water Crisis

Baptist Global Response helps to relieve difficulties in obtaining potable water through pumping and filtering projects.

Healing Bodies, Healing Souls

All over the world, Christians use a variety of means to share the Gospel of Christ and reach the lost. For First Baptist Church of Alexander City, Alabama, hosting medical clinics opens the door to minister to both physical and spiritual needs.

“We escaped with our lives.”

The entire town, including the market area, was looted. All the food supplies were burned. In the end more than 10,000 people ran from Akot, Sudan, and the surrounding areas to seek shelter in 13 nearby villages.

Doll Maker

Kate Ncube hand makes and sells dolls of 17 southern Africa tribes, or people groups. “I enjoy learning about other cultures,” Kate said. “It gives me a lot of insight and helps me understand a person. To understand them, I must understand their culture!”

Mountain Men

Weeks without a bath. Blizzard conditions with only a coal stove for warmth. Layers of clothing that just get changed around every couple of days. Life is rough for three short-term missionaries in the mountains of Lesotho, but it’s worth it for the chance to share Christ’s love.

African-Americans Reaching Africans

Broadview Church is a pioneer — one of the first African-American congregations to tackle the challenge of taking the Gospel to an unreached people group in western Africa. “AfricaStories” will chronicle their journey, beginning here with their first vision trip.

Just Another Way to Die

If things don’t change, the Basotho people of Lesotho may cease to exist in less than 26 years. They’re dying of AIDS — some by choice, since contracting HIV entitles them to government help. In this impoverished mountain area, AIDS is just one more way to die.

Soccer in Soweto

An interschool soccer tournament in a South African township provides missionaries with opportunities to build relationships, impact a community and share the Gospel.

Life on the Streets of Nairobi

About 20 boys sleep on the streets of Nairobi’s Riverside. Some are orphans, some were abused, some were kicked out. Walk alongside Oscar, who’s beaten and tortured by the other boys. And meet Eunice, who’s burdened to help the boys despite some hateful actions.

Presidential Visit to Ghana

President Barak Obama challenges citizens of Ghana to take responsibility for building a better future. Hear Ghanaian Christians’ reactions to the speech, and explore the faith of this nation’s God-centered business people.

Amazing Grace

Ghana’s Cape Coast Castle is a haunting relic of the slave trade, but it’s also a beacon of light in a bustling tourist town. Here, reflections on evil turning to good, not only for the castle but also for a slave ship captain who penned the hymn “Amazing Grace.”

African American Challenge

African Americans have a strong and proud history in international missions. But in the last century that’s often what it’s been – history. Missionary Troy Lewis challenges the African American church to consider its heritage and continue embracing the task of taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Zimbabwe: Attitude of Gratitude

Political and economic turmoil have resulted in hunger and hopelessness for many Zimbabweans. But a food distribution project spurred a cycle of giving that brought comfort and hope to some widows, a Christian publishing house and a school.

Audio: What Actually Happened

by Pearl McClintock

Posted on April 10, 2010

Transcript of audio interview with Rev. Samuel Oni* in Jos, Nigeria

“We will follow the report of the commissioner of police concerning the cause of the crisis. Like he said, which was the correct information and he was sacked because he said the truth, was that the Christians were attacked in a church, unprovoked, during a church service.

“Some Muslim youths went to attack Christians while they were worshiping on that Sunday morning, and the fighting began in and around that area because the Christian youths also decided to come out, to know what was happening and the fight began on Sunday and it limited only in that area. And people thought that was all.

“Monday, there was no problem but the people, because there was a planned something, they decided to strike on Tuesday morning, again. Unprovoked, Christians woke up to discover the Muslims had started attacking them, burning their houses, killing people, destroying shops, looting, carrying people’s properties into their houses, stealing. They always take advantage of this, when it happens, to steal and loot peoples’ properties. So, this took place heavily on Tuesday.

“Then it spread to other villages outside of Jos. Not local government went to Bukuru side and it continued … and a lot of Christians were killed. Though Christians also had to revenge. In some places, Christians burned their [Muslim] houses and also I’m sure there was loss of lives. When we say Christians, we have people who are not church goers even but they fight in the name of, they are defending the church.

“Many people were killed that were not church goers, per se. Because they were fighting to make sure that a church was not burned down. But, they are not Muslims neither are they Christians, but they fought to defend the faith.

“Christians do not start problems in Jos. Christians are not the ones, are never the cause. For all the time it has happened, they have never started it. They sleep at night and somebody’s burning their house, they’re in the church or they are on the street and something is happening. They have never been prepared or organized to go and fight the Muslims. Recently, they were showing one village that Christians when they are massacred people. This is a lie. The Muslims killed Christians. They [Christians] run away and went and came back to defend their homes. Went and organized themselves and came back, because they [Christians] didn’t plan.

“That is what actually happened.”

*Name changed for security reasons

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