Suffering and Growth in the Horn of Africa

The ranks of persecuted Christians continue to grow. But so does the size of the church-especially in the Horn of Africa.

Early church theologian and apologist, Tertullian, said, "The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church." He meant that the number of Christians seems to increase when persecution escalates.

Tertullian's quip is true of the Horn of Africa. The Church of the Nazarene is growing fast in the Horn of Africa. Locals estimate that 90 percent of evangelically oriented Christians are Nazarene in some areas where persecution is the greatest.

Of course, Christians almost everywhere endure persecution-in some way, to some degree, at some time. Jesus told His followers to expect persecution. But the persecution that Christians face varies.

Persecution in the West is not like the typical persecution of Christians in the Horn of Africa. The forms of persecution also differ in the Horn of Africa itself. As I learned in a recent trip to that area, in some contexts, Nazarenes are persecuted because they represent a threat to the establishment. In communities where animist religions hold sway, persecution is often demonstrated socially. Christians who do not participate in animist ceremonies are ostracized. In close-knit, rural contexts, being ostracized sometimes presents more emotional injury than physical persecution.

In other parts of the Horn of Africa, especially in certain religious contexts, Christian beliefs become the primary reason Nazarenes are persecuted. In these situations, persecution is often physical: shootings, other forms of maiming, and murder. Occasionally, Christians are chained and given public beatings. Some are stoned. Other Christians have their tongues cut off for saying the word "Jesus."

One church leader came from another religious background. His conversion to Christianity became known, and he was beheaded with a knife. His murderers recorded the ghastly act on their mobile phones. They distributed the video as a tactic to intimidate others in that religion not to oppose the radical element.

Sadly, at times persecution takes the form of Christians expressing hostility toward other Christians. Even other Christian sects in one country, for instance, actively harass Nazarenes. They persecute those who join the Church of the Nazarene mostly for the political implications. Those with power do not want to see that power wane.

Christian-on-Christian persecution in this region often takes social, economic, and psychological forms.

Nazarene and other churches are burned. In some cases, Nazarenes must meet secretly to worship and fellowship. They often gather under the guise of meeting for secular events: birthday celebrations, weddings, and cultural celebrations. This prevents neighbors from suspecting that Christians are gathering in the name of Christ.

Because Nazarenes have left the dominant religious tradition, they are not allowed to bury their dead at community gravesites. Some Nazarenes are fired from their jobs. My own guide in one area there only whispered to me about his faith, fearing others would hear him and he would lose his employment.

Family members of those who have joined the Church of the Nazarene are ridiculed for letting their kin leave the traditional family religion. The children of Nazarenes do not receive opportunities to make good lives for themselves. Such persecution can be more difficult for Nazarenes because those subjected to suffering are victims because of someone else's faith.

Physical, social, and political persecution creates psychological damage in Nazarenes. The lack of community and social relationships in the Horn of Africa may result in those who convert to Christianity exhibiting signs of emotional distress. Work ethic declines with the lack of opportunity for Christians. The social pressures cause Nazarenes to battle depression and listlessness.

Members of the Church of the Nazarene have been persecuted from the denomination's inception, of course. But the persecution Nazarenes endure in the 21st century is different than some of the historical issues the Church faced. When Phineas F. Bresee began the work of the church in Los Angeles, he envisioned reaching the down and out of society. The church and its persecuted members were largely social outcasts. The forbearers of the Church of the Nazarene largely resided in the lower classes.

In the Horn of Africa, however, persecuted members of the Church of the Nazarene are often members of the middle classes. They are among the best educated in that part of the world. Persecuted Christians are often doctors, teachers, professors, government workers, and business people.

Twenty-first century Nazarenes in the Horn of Africa also have access to technology that they use for the sake of the gospel. Electronic tools-especially cell phones-are crucial for the survival and growth of the Church of the Nazarene. In remote regions, cell phones operate from satellite signals. Even in isolated villages, Christian leaders commonly have cell phones.

During my stay in the Horn, a local Nazarene leader spent more time contacting leaders and organizing the growing church than doing anything else. His strategy of growth involves several principles of leadership that he follows with the assistance of technology.

He decentralizes the ministry by empowering local pastors and the house churches they lead. A key tool in this decentralization is his cell phone. He can contact the underground churches by talking with the house church pastors.

Of course, technology also carries dangers. In print or on the Internet, I cannot mention any Nazarene names in the region. I cannot post photos of Nazarenes I met while visiting there. If I did, the same technology African Christians use to spread the gospel could be used to send information to remote places where Nazarenes are in potential danger. Those who intend to persecute Christians could download electronic copies of this article or other information on their cell phones.

But the danger of persecution and church growth often rise or fall together.

Persecution itself is not the engine that powers church growth. Rather, the conditions for growth often include change, chaos, and instability.

And persecution more easily occurs in chaotic and unstable societies.

Besides one-on-one witnessing, Nazarenes also share the gospel through compassionate ministry and community service. Nazarenes build roads, help widows, and act as productive members of society.

Besides praying for the persecuted Nazarenes in the Horn of Africa, we can help in many other ways. They need literature, transportation, and leadership development. We can make micro-loans and small gifts to help Nazarenes start small businesses that provide an income. Ministry to women is especially needed.

Social, business, and physical persecution of Christians is not just something that happened in biblical times. Nor is it a problem that only happens in other denominations. It's all too common for Nazarenes in today's world. As we offer prayer and tangible support to these international brothers and sisters we share their pain and joy, and strengthen another part of our Nazarene body.

Thomas Jay Oord is professor of theology and philosophy at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idado.

Editor's note: Due to the sensitive nature of certain areas around the world where persecution of Christians tends to occur, the Church of the Nazarene takes the security Nazarenes, and those in the broader Christian community, quite seriously. It is the policy of Holiness Today not to print or post on-line the names of individuals or countries where persecution may occur.

Holiness Today, November/December 2009

Please note: This article was originally published in 2009. All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at that time but may have since changed.