The Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) says five of its missionaries have been killed with eight others kidnapped since it started missionary activities in Shiroro, Niger State 20 years ago.
The latest is the kidnap of three missionaries on May 15, 2020 with a ransom of N5m each paid for their release, Coordinator, COCIN Community Missions (CCM), Rev. Victor Kawai said, Tuesday.
This added to the Covid-19 pandemic is causing “so much setbacks to Missions,” Rev. Kawai said at the CCM’s 22nd Annual Supervisors’ Empowerment Workshop in Vom, the Church’s mission headquarters.
In spite of the challenge however, the Cleric said the Church is not giving up on its drive to bring unbelievers unto the knowledge of Christ, hence the four-day workshop which aims to “identify challenges and strategies for effective missions”.
Missionaries however have to be sacrificial and enduring in their chosen fields to be effective, Rev. Ripji Merkuk, the Director, Evangelism and Missions said.
Similarly, the Director, COCIN Department of Church Growth, Rev. Paul Mankam said for missions to thrive, missionaries must be detribalized, faithful and committed.
The workshop ending on Friday will feature lectures, progress report presentations and among others, discussions with participants drawn from all COCIN mission zones.
This is one of the things that pose danger to the spread of the gospel in jet age. However, Jesus promised to be with us to the end of time. May their souls rest in peace. May God facilitate the release of those in captivity in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!
God will never leave us alone. May God have mercy on us
May there gentle soul rest in bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ.
May God avenge their blood upon the perpectuators in Jesus name
There has never been a time where the persecution of Christians stop or even slowed down the growth of the church. No matter how hard the enemy fights, Christianity will continue to spread and more souls will take up the place of the martyred in spreading the gospel. Christianity can never be stopped by any human or satanic force.