NIGERIAN CHRISTIANS LIVE IN FEAR

$50,000 Challenge Grant doubles your impact

Persecution reaching critical levels across the continent Dear Friend, More and more, our attention is fixed on Africa. The reports from the front lines are grim. Sometimes shocking. Just two weeks ago, militant Fulani herdsmen went on a four-day killing spree near the town of Jos in Northern Nigeria, killing at least 200 Christians. There is currently a dusk-to-dawn curfew in place, but the violence continues. This level of persecution is not new to Christians throughout Africa—it's been happening for years...   Four years ago, Boko Haram made international headlines when they stormed a school in the small town of Chibok, in the south of Nigeria's Borno State, and took more than 230 schoolgirls from their dormitories.   We still don't know where many of the stolen schoolgirls are, or what they've been through...  Earlier this year, Boko Haram once again kidnapped over 100 schoolgirls as part of their merciless campaign to spread panic and terror. Their terrible presence has spread beyond Nigeria, now encompassing Cameroon, Chad, Benin and Niger. In East Africa, Christians are targeted by fundamentalist groups such as Al-Shabaab. In Central Africa, intra-country conflicts are destabilizing governments and allowing extremist groups to violently oppress Christians. And in countries such as Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan, some Christians must worship in secret and live in constant fear of being imprisoned—or worse—for their beliefs. These suffering Christians need our immediate help. In many cases, their lives depend on it. The need is great and urgent—but you can do something about it right now. That’s why I’m asking for your help to RUSH lifesaving aid and other critical support to African believers who are risking all they have to follow Jesus. Right now, a Challenge Grant from a generous donor will double the impact of your giving, up to $50,000. This is an amazing opportunity to make your gift go further to help African Christians experiencing oppression and severe persecution.

DELIVER LIFESAVING AID AND OTHER CRITICAL SUPPORT

Today, your gift will double in impact, up to $50,000, to provide critical support programs and lifesaving aid to persecuted believers in Africa.

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Praying for a daughter's safe return Esther Joseph is still waiting for her daughter to come home. Four years ago, her daughter went to school to take an exam. Boko Haram militants stormed the school, kidnapping more than 230 schoolgirls—including Esther Joseph's daughter. Some girls managed to escape. Others have managed to flee, or have been freed over the past several years. Today, many of the girls remain in captivity. Esther Joseph and the rest of the grieving parents can do little but wait, hope and pray for their daughters' safe return. The Chibok kidnappings are just one example of the threats facing Christians in Africa today. Visit our website to read more about the parents still waiting for their daughters to come home and about the challenges facing persecuted believers across Africa.  Boko Haram continues to carry out brazen attacks against the Christian community in Nigeria and other African countries. Earlier this year, they once again kidnapped over 100 schoolgirls, deepening their notoriety even as media coverage of their attacks has fallen off. Other areas in East and Central Africa are consistently terrorized by fundamentalist groups or their own military and government. That’s why we need your help to provide lifesaving aid and critical support to faithful believers in desperate need. The challenge Open Doors is on the ground, working through local partners to provide aid and support in many of the places in Africa where it is dangerous to follow Jesus. But with looming threats and the daily risk of violent oppression, more help is needed to keep up with the growing crisis. Please prayerfully consider how God is leading you to help. Then please don’t delay in your response. We are seeing a staggering level of persecution in Africa. Faithful believers are in desperate need of lifesaving aid and other critical support right now. Will you allow God to use you to provide immediate relief and encouragement to our brothers and sisters in Africa?

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This is what your support will provide

When you give today, your gift will double in impact, up to $50,000, to provide lifesaving aid and other critical support programs to African believers risking all they have to follow Jesus. Here’s how your gift may be used:

$87   to help provide clothing and blankets for three Christians             $126   to help provide a Christian family with food support for one month

$421   to help provide a Christian with medical aid             $17,000   to help provide a safe house for Christians

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Help is needed now Our brothers and sisters in Africa can’t wait for help tomorrow. They need help today. Your support will provide for their immediate needs and encourage them to keep their eyes fixed on Christ, knowing the worldwide Body of Christ is standing firmly with them. The needs of Christians throughout Africa are vast. Together, we can provide lifesaving aid, critical support, training, Bibles and Christian resources to those in need of our support. Please give your gift now to provide twice as much support to African believers.Your gift today will double in impact, up to $50,000, thanks to a Challenge Grant, and will help sustain our persecuted brothers and sisters in the midst of extreme suffering. Thank you in advance.

In Christ, Dr. David Curry President/CEO Open Doors USA

P.S. Please give as quickly and as generously as you can to help RUSHlifesaving aid and other critical support to African believers who are risking all they have to follow Jesus. And don't forget, your impact will be doubled, thanks to a $50,000 Challenge Grant, to help bring hope and relief to our brothers and sisters in Africa.

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