“Christians the most persecuted people on earth”: Nigerian Archbishop Says, Urges Unity

He continued, “We must show love to ourselves as Christians; it is my prayer that we will continue to mobilize our various denominations from time to time to come out and pray against Christian persecution and for all of us to be united as one just like Jesus Christ wants us to be.”

On his part, the Abuja Chapter CAN Chairman, Rev. Timothy Amakom, urged Christians to remain strong in the face of persecution because their reward will be in heaven.

“Jesus did not command us to take up arms or guns but to pray, he has a way of delivering his people,” Rev. Amazon said. 

He added, “Every Christian must know that Jesus did not promise us a life without persecution. We are being persecuted because of the truth and naturally when you speak the truth the world will hate you.” 

In his keynote address at the January 28 Ecumenical Service, Rev. Samuel Agunzi of the Christian Evangelical Fellowship of Nigeria (CEFN) emphasized the need for Christians to practice mercy, and resist the temptation of competition on the basis of their membership size.

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“Today the world is looking for mercy; we need practical Christianity in Africa where Christians are not concerned about the size of their denominations but on the welfare of their Christian brothers and sisters,” Rev. Agunzi said.

He added, “Things are hard in Nigeria today and we as Christian cannot afford to abandon our brothers who are in need; let us show love and mercy to them.”

“We are being confronted with various challenges because of our faith. It is only with a united front that we can succeed as Christians in Nigeria,” Rev. Agunzi emphasized.

He went on to add his voice to church leaders, who have decried insecurity in the West African nation’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), saying, “We are not a happy people in Nigeria; we are not safe; even the Abuja that used to be safe is no longer safe; kidnapping for ransom, banditry, terrorism and corruption is at our doorstep.”

“We have no other help but to turn to God in prayers,” Rev. Agunzi said during the January 28 Ecumenical Service that the Abuja Chapter of CAN organized.