Africa and the Middle East

Dear CSW,

Thank you for sending the current edition of Connect & Encourage. It is a tremendous resource.

As for a method: I pick a recipient and prayerfully ask for a relevant Scripture, which then comes to mind. And then I write a short message e.g may God bless your work, in the case of an organisation.

Thanks again and God bless, John

New Malden, UK

Dear CSW,

Hope you will be pleased to know that having prayed through Connect & Encourage for many years, I have used lockdown to write to one person in each of the countries mentioned.

Carolyn Blandford Forum, UK

Eritrea

Many Eritrean Christians have been forced to flee their country due to the severe oppression they experience on account of their faith. As they have waited for acceptance in third countries, they have established their own worshipping communities. These are essentially refugee churches. Many of these Christians still live cautiously because the Eritrean authorities have been known to track down and harass people even outside of Eritrea. The cards you’ve sent to the church in Kenya have been an amazing encouragement to many.

Ebenezer Foundational Healing Church

GPO 16147-00100

Nairobi

Kenya Nigeria

The Most Rev Dr Benjamin Argak Kwashi and Dr Gloria Kwashi

Archbishop Benjamin Argak Kwashi is the General Secretary of the Global Anglican Future Conference (Gafcon) and a prominent and eloquent advocate for Christians in northern and central Nigeria. His family experienced two brutal attacks but made a full recovery. The archbishop underwent further treatment for cancer in the US following a recurrence, and has now returned to Nigeria. Please pray for the family’s continued health, safety and strength in the midst of ongoing tensions in central Nigeria.

The Most Rev Dr Benjamin Argak Kwashi and Dr Gloria Kwashi

Anglican Diocese of Jos

PO Box 6283

Jos Plateau State 930001

Nigeria

CSW Nigeria

Our office in Nigeria works to promote freedom of religion or belief in an exceptionally difficult context and with limited resources. They are based in Kaduna, consistently among the three most insecure states in the country. Nevertheless, our staff work diligently to support victims of violations of freedom of religion or belief. CSW-Nigeria CEO Rev Yunusa Nmadu’s final term as General Secretary of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) denomination, one of the largest denominations in northern Nigeria with a membership of over five million worldwide, ends this year. At a time when abductions for ransom are rife, please pray for protection as staff travel the country to assist communities and individuals experiencing violations, and for the safety of their families and the families of CSW Nigeria’s volunteers in northern and central states.

CSW Nigeria c/o ECWA Gospel Church

Lemu Road

Sudan Sudan Church of Christ (SCOC)

In October 2020 a criminal court in Omdurman acquitted eight church leaders of charges of criminal trespass filed against them by an illegitimate government-appointed committee. However, the case is now before the court of appeal.

SCOC PO Box 1235

Omdurman

Sudan

Sudanese Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SPEC)

An illegitimate pro-government church committee appointed by the former regime sold most of the church’s properties and rented many buildings for exceedingly long terms, including the Khartoum Bahri Evangelical Church, which has mostly been demolished. Rafat Obid, who leads the church’s legitimate elected committee, has been arrested on several occasions for ‘impersonating’ a church official, and is now facing another trial.

Evangelical Church Bahri PO Box 84 Khartoum north Sudan