Aid to the Church in Need released a report detailing how terrorist groups are expanding across parts of Africa. The study highlights several nations in the Sahel and Sub-Saharan regions as key areas where Christians face disproportionate persecution. According to the report, jihadist affiliates target Christian communities through kidnappings, killings, and church destruction. The findings indicate a geographical shift in global terrorism, with many of the most affected countries located on the continent. ACN notes that weak governance allows extremists to exploit religious divisions, severely impacting Christian populations in these regions.
Indigenous workers in a West African region have continued to visit scattered believers despite risks from jihadist attacks and political unrest. According to the International Mission Board, two missionaries recently traveled to three villages under difficult circumstances, including unpredictable fuel availability and travel regulations. During a visit to a specific settlement, they learned that jihadists had threatened to destroy the area if residents reported them to authorities. The missionaries taught on maintaining faith during trials. The group highlights the struggles of isolated believers facing persecution from family and villagers in these nations.
Aid to the Church in Need released its latest report, finding that conditions for Christians worsened in ten of eighteen examined nations between August 2024 and June 2026. The charity states that conflict and religiously motivated violence are driving millions from their homes, particularly in Nigeria, Pakistan, and China. In Nigeria, over a million Christians are displaced by attacks from bandits and jihadists. The report also highlights severe persecution in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique, and Syria, alongside government repression in China and Iran. ACN warns that these trends are altering the religious demographics of entire regions, especially in Africa and Asia.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Ayoola Salako on UnsplashPersecuted church
A report covering 2024 to 2026 states that conditions for Christians worsened in 55 percent of the 18 countries studied. Approximately 413 million Christians live in nations with serious religious freedom violations. The report's author highlights that violence and displacement are increasing, particularly in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Sub-Saharan Africa remains a major hotspot, with six countries including Nigeria, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo among the most affected by terrorism. In Syria, fears of extremism rose after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. The report also notes a deadly attack on a church in Damascus. The authors argue that recognizing the religious nature of these attacks is essential for providing adequate protection to vulnerable minorities.
An Italian Catholic priest, held captive for over two years in Niger and Mali, says the most difficult part of his imprisonment was learning to forgive his kidnappers. Kidnapped in September 2018 near a village in Niger and transferred to Mali, he spent 750 days in isolation under death threats. Speaking to Aid to the Church in Need, he explained that prayer and reflection on Jesus’s words helped him overcome hatred. He urges Christians in the volatile Sahel region to maintain faith and pray for peace amid rising global terrorism in the area.
A missionary priest in a village in Niger was kidnapped by Islamist militants and held for over two years across the border in Mali. In an interview, he described his initial despair and subsequent journey toward forgiveness. He stated that the ordeal taught him to pray for his captors and reject violence. The priest emphasized that peace arises from non-violence and love, rather than military force. He thanked supporters for their prayers, which he believes contributed to his release, and urged continued hope for Christian communities facing persecution in the region.
Militant Islamist groups in central and southern Mali are coercing Christian congregations to pay the jizya tax. Local sources report that villages face threats of violence or closure if they refuse. Some churches have sold crops and livestock to raise funds, with one denomination paying over $100,000 recently. These groups, including JNIM and ISGS, control rural areas where state protection is weak. Pastors report severe economic hardship and restrictions on worship. This situation has caused displacement and increased insecurity for the Christian minority in this West African nation.
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American missionary Jeff Woodke was freed after being held captive for over six years by terrorists in Niger and Mali. He was abducted from his home in a village in northern Niger. Woodke recently published a memoir detailing his trauma and the role of forgiveness in his survival. His release followed joint efforts by the United States and Nigerien governments. The incident highlights ongoing security risks for foreign aid workers in the region, particularly as Niger has recently ordered foreign troops to leave following a military coup. Kidnappings remain a significant threat in neighboring Nigeria as well.
In central and southern Mali, Islamic extremists are demanding protection payments, known as jiziya, from Christian churches. According to Open Doors Australia, these groups operate as alternative governments in rural areas. Churches in regions such as Koro, Bankass, and Bandiagara have paid tens of thousands of dollars to avoid closure or violence. Pastor Ousmane Dolo reports that congregants are suffering from poverty after selling livestock to meet these demands. The group states that villages refusing to sign non-aggression agreements face severe threats. This financial exploitation is forcing many communities to abandon their faith or their homes.
A pastor in Nigeria survived a two-month kidnapping by Islamic extremists, which resulted in the deaths of his wife and two sons. Reports indicate that without trauma support, he would have been consumed by bitterness. He now advocates for healing programs for other Christians in the region facing similar violence. The pastor emphasizes the increasing attacks on believers and urges prayer for those enduring hardship. His story highlights the severe risks Christians face in the area and the critical need for psychological support to prevent revenge and promote forgiveness among persecuted communities.
Ministry workers in West Africa are preparing a proposal for additional French-language study Bibles and library resources. Two years ago, they successfully distributed donated volumes to shepherds in a country before it entered a phase of instability that halted further transport. The group is currently waiting for safe conditions to resume deliveries. They aim to support pastors and other workers in the region with materials from the Word. The ministry hopes for opportunities to reopen transport routes to share these critically needed resources with local communities.
The International Mission Board reports that a young indigenous man has become the first local pastor in his community, settling in a village in Mali. He completed training at a local pastor school after years of gospel sharing by workers in the Wassulu region, which spans parts of Mali, Guinea, and Cote d’Ivoire. This pastor will serve his home village and nearby believers in the area. The organization highlights his calling as a significant milestone in the region's church development, noting that such indigenous leadership typically develops over time. The group encourages support for his continued growth and faithful service in a challenging environment for Christians.
A pastor serving communities across several West African nations was injured in a motorcycle accident while traveling to meet a colleague in a major city. The incident occurred as he prepared to share the gospel in an internally displaced persons camp. He required surgery for his injuries and is currently recovering. The International Mission Board reports that he is healing and hopes to resume his pastoral duties and evangelistic work in villages and IDP camps once his health is fully restored. (Source: IMB)
A mission organization highlights an ethnic group spanning several West African nations, noting that colonial borders divided this community. The outlet urges supporters to pray for local evangelists and pastors to join current workers in the region. They also ask for prayers that Christian radio broadcasts reach audiences in neighboring countries. Additionally, the group calls for peace in one nation as it marks an independence anniversary, citing concerns that extremists seek to undermine civil government and enforce strict religious law. The organization encourages advocacy for these believers facing potential persecution.
A missionary team led by an IMB worker traveled to West Africa to train local Deaf leaders. These believers are now sharing the gospel, baptizing new converts, and establishing regular church groups. The team states that God has equipped these individuals to continue the ministry independently. They are now preparing to train additional leaders in East Africa to multiply their efforts and develop the next generation of Christian leaders in the region. The outlet encourages supporters to pray for the wisdom and courage of these emerging leaders as they expand their work across multiple countries.
Workers in a region of Mali have renewed their agreement with a radio station to broadcast Bible stories and Christian content. Although security concerns have restricted physical visits by missionaries to local villages, the radio service remains a crucial method for reaching the Wassulu people, who are concentrated in this cultural area. Local pastors report that these broadcasts strengthen discipleship among believers dispersed across vast territories. This medium is especially effective for oral learners with limited literacy. The International Mission Board emphasizes the ongoing significance of this outreach strategy in the region.
Indigenous workers in a West African region have continued to visit scattered believers despite risks from jihadist attacks and political unrest. According to the International Mission Board, two missionaries recently traveled to three villages under difficult circumstances, including unpredictable fuel availability and travel regulations. During a visit to a specific settlement, they learned that jihadists had threatened to destroy the area if residents reported them to authorities. The missionaries taught on maintaining faith during trials. The group highlights the struggles of isolated believers facing persecution from family and villagers in these nations.
Catholic Relief Services reports that its digital programming initiatives are enhancing humanitarian and development efforts across multiple regions. The organization utilizes data, satellite technology, and mapping tools to improve program accountability and reach in countries including Nigeria, Chad, Senegal, Niger, Mali, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burkina Faso. In Nigeria alone, these methods have supported the distribution of over 75 million insecticide-treated nets since 2017. Additionally, CRS distributed more than $80 million in cash assistance to 1.4 million people in 2024 through digital platforms. The group states that these technologies help teams adapt quickly to changing needs and strengthen resilience against crises. The outlet notes that CRS also founded the ICT4D Conference to promote responsible technology use in development.
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