Open Doors Youth, PO Box 6, Witney, Oxon, UK, OX29 6WG
We serve Christians around the world whose brave faith in Jesus means they are beaten, threatened, imprisoned, tortured, falsely accused, disowned and hated.
“My father was courageous. I have never seen anyone as courageous,” says Pastor Michée from Burkina Faso.
He remembers his dad, Filibert, as a loving husband, father and committed Christian. “He was also a songwriter. Everybody was happy when he was singing, and everyone would feel the presence of God. This is how I would like him to be remembered.”
Michée treasures one of only two photos he has of his father. But talking about Filibert is painful because he was killed alongside dozens of other Christians in a violent attack on their village.
“I was in bed when I received a message from a friend,” Michée remembers. “He said: ‘The village was attacked today.’”
When he finally reached his sister, she told him that Filibert had been handcuffed and taken away. Nobody knew where he was.
“Tears came to my eyes and my heart was deeply in pain,” says Michée.
The next day, Michée tried to return to the village but was stopped by the military. Later, someone sent him a photograph of those who had been killed.
“I recognised my father by his shoes,” he says.
Before the attack, Michée describes the village as “a small paradise.” Christians and Fulani families lived together peacefully, sharing meals, tea and football games.
But armed extremists began arriving in the area and slowly created division between neighbours.
Then, one day, more than 100 attackers entered the village.
“If they caught you, they handcuffed your hands behind you,” says Michée. Some people escaped, but many did not. Those captured were taken to the church and killed.
In a single day, 31 Christian men died, including Michée’s father, brothers and uncles.
Across parts of sub-Saharan Africa, violence against Christians continues to grow.
“The objective was to destroy the future of the village,” says Michée. Homes were destroyed, animals were stolen and families lost everything. “We had nothing left.”
The attack also shook his faith.
“I asked, ‘Why has God allowed this to happen?’” he says. Prayer felt empty, and he struggled with anger and thoughts of revenge.
“The trauma I was going through almost destroyed my faith in God… But after the training, my relationship with God was revived. I re-found hope in God.”
After hearing about the attack, Open Doors partners provided emergency aid and trauma care training for survivors.
“It really changed my life,” says Michée. “The trauma I was going through almost destroyed my faith in God, my ministry, even my relationship with my family. But after the training, my relationship with God was revived. I re-found hope in God.”
The training helped him let go of bitterness and begin healing.
“My anger was gone,” he says. “I lacked forgiveness, I had revenge in mind. All that was gone. I have been renewed.”
Sharing his story was especially powerful.
“I had the opportunity to cry when I was relating my testimony, and I felt that I got free from the bitterness within me.”
Today, Michée helps provide trauma care to 16 people in his community, including many widows.
“I see that the hearts of many have been healed,” he says. But many more people still need support.
“There are a great number of people who are going through trauma but are ignorant about it. They are in dire need of this training that I received.”
Michée is grateful for those who support Christians facing persecution.
“It encourages us, it strengthens us and enables us to renew our engagement in worshipping God.”
He also wants people to remember those who died.
“I would like us to honour the people we lost in the attack – our fathers, mothers, brothers and children,” he says. “Our people died as strong believers, and we are asking God to help us have the same faith.”
You can help bring that deliverance, consolation and restoration to our African church family. Today, will you add your voice to the Arise Africa petition, calling for protection, justice and restoration?
“Listen! Thousands of Christians are being killed across Africa,” says Pastor Michée. “We are talking about it. Will you join us?”
There’s still time to answer Michée’s call and sign and share the Arise Africa petition. You have until 2 November to add your voice, and share the petition with friends and family. Thank you!
Pastor Michée asks you to pray: “For me to always be devoted in my ministry until the end.
“For the church to go on preaching the Word of God, and for the church to support its members so that their faith is accomplished according to the will of God.”
“For my community, for the widows and children, that God keeps their faith alive, because they don’t have anyone to rely on apart from God.
1Sign the global Arise Africa petition asking for protection, justice and restoration for Christians across sub-Saharan Africa.
SIGN NOW...
2Pray for the places where Christians face the worst persecution.
GET A FREE WORLD WATCH LIST MAP
3Play Faithfuls with your youth group and take on Bible-smuggling challenges. Get your free leader guide now...
Order Now
