Why is the Arise Africa campaign needed, what are its aims and how can you help persecuted Christians in sub-Saharan Africa?
Why is the Arise Africa campaign needed?
Millions of Christians face violent persecution for their faith in sub-Saharan Africa. According to Open Doors World Watch List research, over 90% of Christians killed for their faith last year were in sub-Saharan Africa, and the number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa recording extremely high levels of violence against Christians rose from 13 to 15 from the previous year. This rising violence is being driven largely by Islamic extremists taking advantage of political instability in the region.
The number of people affected and the area affected are both increasing rapidly. The region is facing a displacement crisis, with millions forced to flee their homes. Most of these people are living in camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) either in their own country or in neighbouring countries. Many have lost their means of livelihood too, as Islamic militants – particularly in Nigeria – take their land.
And yet the world has not noticed.
In response, the African church is calling for their brothers and sisters around the world to join them in the Arise Africa campaign. It aims to see that the global community acknowledges and acts against extreme violence and supports the church to persevere – and to be resilient, resourceful and influential.
How many Christians are displaced in sub-Saharan Africa?
According to Open Doors research, 16.2 million Christians in sub-Saharan Africa are displaced by violence and conflict.
“Millions of Christians are displaced, here in Nigeria,” says Pastor Barnabas, who lives in an IDP camp in northern Nigeria with his family, having been forced to flee after Islamic militants killed his brother and sister-in-law and badly injured him. “Millions of Christians are displaced in Africa. The news doesn’t care about it, politicians don’t talk about it, governments don’t talk about it, global politics don’t talk about it. Nobody talks about it.”
The
Arise Africa campaign aims to ensure people
are talking about this crisis.
Pastor Barnabas lives in one of Nigeria’s many displacement camps
Are Christians displaced because of persecution?
Persecution is one of the major drivers of this displacement. It’s not possible to say that all 16.2 million Christians have been displaced because of their faith, but there is strong evidence that many of them have been specifically targeted for following Jesus.
“When the terrorists come to churches and find Christians, they tell them that Christianity’s time is over, and they should turn to the Islamic religion,” says Pastor Soré in Burkina Faso. He and his family had to flee Islamic militants, and now live in two tents in an isolated area with other vulnerable members from their community. “They warn Christians to stop conducting services. After warning, when they come back later and find you in the church, they kill you.”
Pastor Soré remains confident in Jesus. “I do believe that we are displaced, but Jesus is not and will never be displaced from our lives,” he says. “He is always with us.”
Which countries are affected?
Sub-Saharan Africa includes all African countries below North Africa, though Open Doors focuses its support on sub-Saharan African countries reporting ‘high’, ‘very high’ or ‘extreme’ levels of persecution in the World Watch List (per the World Watch List methodology) – that is, Somalia, Eritrea, Nigeria, Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Mozambique, DRC, Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania, Djibouti, Chad, Rwanda, Burundi, Togo, Guinea, Uganda, Angola, Gambia, South Sudan and the Ivory Coast.
In 2014, far fewer sub-Saharan African countries had ‘high’, ‘very high’ or ‘extreme’ levels of persecution: only 12 of the 26 countries listed above.
The Open Doors World Watch List map shows how violent persecution is spreading across countries in sub-Saharan Africa
What are the aims of the Arise Africa campaign?
Arise Africa is a global campaign aiming to raise awareness, financial support, advocacy and prayer for Christians facing violent persecution in sub-Saharan Africa. The campaign does that by raising money for the work of local Open Doors partners, joining in prayer across the world, encouraging media to report on violence against Christians and launching the Arise Africa petition.
What can I do?
Pray: You can pray for the persecuted church in sub-Saharan Africa during this year's
International Day of Prayer for the persecuted church. When signing the Arise Africa petition, you’ll also have the opportunity to write a prayer to put on a virtual prayer tree.
Give: You can
give to the African church and help to support persecuted and displaced Christians across the region.
Sign: Sign the Arise Africa petition and share it with your church, friends and family to make sure people are talking about this displacement crisis.
What does the Arise Africa petition ask?
The global Arise Africa petition aims to stop the violence by calling upon the global community to ensure that Christians and other vulnerable individuals in sub-Saharan Africa are treated with dignity and respect by:
- Protection: Providing robust protection from violent militant attacks
- Justice: Ensuring justice through fair prosecutions of the attackers
- Restoration: Bringing healing and restoration to all affected communities
You can
sign the petition online and even ask your church or small group to sign as well.
Who will be presented with the Arise Africa petition?
The global petition is intended to be presented to the EU, the UN, the African Union and local governments around the world – including the UK Government – in 2026.
It is modelled on the camphor tree, which has come to symbolise the strength and resilience of the African church. This large, evergreen tree is the national tree of Nigeria. Its size and prevalence reflect the fact that there are more Christians in Africa than anywhere else in the world. It can grow in the midst of wilderness – just as the body of Christ can continue growing and flourishing even in the face of terrible persecution.
It’s partly in reference to Revelation 22:2: “The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” In the same way, your prayers and petitions offers hope and life. The tree is a symbol of the suffering of the persecuted church in sub-Saharan Africa – and our response as the worldwide church.
How are local Open Doors partners helping Christians?
Open Doors local partners are starting the healing through emergency relief (food, clothing, hygiene products and medical care), emergency shelter for displaced Christians, training for church leaders to equip them to disciple believers, and trauma care and livelihood skills training to support long-term self-sufficiency. They also encourage displaced believers and show them that they’re not alone.
Can I really make a difference?
Absolutely! As Open Doors partners have begun to help displaced Christians, they hear time and again what an impact it’s making. These persecuted believers feel abandoned and alone, having lost their homes and often their loved ones. Knowing that their brothers and sisters around the world are praying, speaking out and giving in support will be a huge encouragement – and can make enormous practical changes too.
“The ministry first helped me with prayer that really comforted me,” says Pastor Soré. “In addition to the prayer support, the ministry helped me with seeds and fertilisers. It helped me to grow crops and feed my family members. They also helped us with food, including rice and oil. We wholeheartedly praise God for such blessings and thank the ministry.”
Pastor Barnabas agrees: “If there is any way you can contribute yourself, contribute in a way to help us Christians in the camp, please do it.”
Thank you for helping to stop the violence and start the healing.
Give your support. Sign the petition. Share a prayer.
Arise Africa
