One of our classmates and brothers in Christ recently returned home to Nigeria to begin his ministry and newly-married life. Only weeks later violence broke out in the nearby city of Jos when around 200 Muslim youths began harassing Christians on their way to and from church on Sunday. Reports on Jan 18 said at least 20 died in the incident; by the 19th the figures had risen to almost 150… plus at least five churches set on fire. More details can be found here (Anglican) and here (Charisma) and here (Reuters).
Requesting prayers for peace and for changed hearts. As one pray-er wrote, “shine Jesus shine, fill Jos with the Father’s glory…”
Update ~ Our classmate pastors at a church in Jos and his bishop also bases his ministry in the city. Fortunately both are safe, as well as their churches.
Even the people who are there are finding it difficult to get accurate information. A 24-hour curfew was imposed, while some of the troublemakers have been found masquerading in military uniforms for the purpose of killing civilians. There are reports that over 4,000 people have been displaced.
The violence seems to be dying down for now, but the peace is uneasy.