ERITREA

ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES FOR CHRISTIANS

Eritrea is one of the most difficult countries in the world concerning religious liberty restrictions. Hundreds of believers have been imprisoned and many people are fleeing the country. Recently, Eritrea has interfered with the Tigray through penetrating Ethiopian borders to kill people, and committing cruelties (e.g., in forcing Eritrean refugees back to Eritrea from where they have escaped). The tragedy in Tigray has only continued to worsen as it has led to food shortage. People are suffering and help is needed.

Open Doors, a non-denominational mission supporting persecuted Christians in the world, has categorized Eritrea as the 6th most hostile country with violations to religious liberties in the world.

Our Pentecostal brothers and sisters have been suffering in Eritrea for many years. The leaders of the Pentecostal Full Gospel Church of Eritrea (FGCE) were imprisoned from 2004-2005.

Pastor Haile Nayzgi, Dr. Kuflu Gebremeskel, and Pastor Kidane Weldou have been in prison 16-17 years without any proper judicial process. They have not seen their family members for many years.

praying for eritrea

and the persecuted church

As Pentecostals, we believe in the power of prayer. Although we see the Eritrean case very difficult (many attempts have been made also on a high political level in order to change the situation), we need to remember how the Iron Curtain was wiped away in the Eastern Europe as a result of God's people coming together in prayer. Our God is able to move the hearts of leaders in Eritrea, just as he did to kings and rulers in the Bible.

World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) recommends for churches to participate on the International Day of the Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) November 7 or 14, 2021. You can choose which day best fits your schedule. As the PCRL, we recommend Eritrea as a prayer focus. We believe in faith that the gospel will spread like a fire and the truth will come from the region. May we pray that Eritrea would be a miracle and a source of change for the continent of Africa and the globe!