Arise Africa: 1 million+ voices speak out for Christians!

Praise God! More than 1 million people have shared their petition and prayers for persecuted Christians in sub-Saharan Africa

In spring 2024, Open Doors shared the story of Pastor Barnabas, a leader who was displaced by violence in Nigeria and forced to live in a makeshift camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

He was one of millions across sub-Saharan Africa, and he had a sobering message: “Where we are, millions of Christians are displaced,” he said. “News doesn’t cover it. Politicians don’t talk about it. Nobody talks about it. We remain in the darkness.”

The situation of displacement, murder and sexual violence across the continent was ignored by many. And the church in sub-Saharan Africa challenged the rest of the world to pay attention—and to speak out. The challenge had a tangible goal: Could we raise 1 million voices of prayer and petition as a symbol of the global Body of Christ standing with persecuted Christians in sub-Saharan Africa?

Open Doors is thrilled to announce that Christians around the world have answered that challenge through the Arise Africa petition, which now has more than 1 million signatures representing the voices and prayers of believers across the planet.

“Pastor Barnabas asked us to break the silence and called the world to pay attention to the violence in sub-Saharan Africa,” says Tim Hamilton, Chief Development Officer of Open Doors International and chair of the Arise Africa Task Force. “These million voices cannot be ignored. We are so thankful to all who spoke up prayed and shared. Now we must continue to pray and speak about until the violence stops and restoration and healing come.”

The petition represents just one step toward breaking the silence of what’s happening to our brothers and sisters in sub-Saharan Africa—but it’s a big step. On November 18, an Open Doors delegation will present the petition to leaders in the European Union and on December 8, our team will present the petition to the United Nations.

We’ve already seen God’s blessing at work as more and more governments and media round the world begin to pay attention to the violence impacting Christians in sub-Saharan Africa. Will you pray that these turn-in efforts will bear much fruit?

The Arise Africa campaign isn’t over. You’ll be hearing from us in the coming months (and years!) about how your prayer and petition has made a huge impact. Thanks to your gifts and prayers, Pastor Barnabas has a new home for him and his family. Countless others have been blessed with expanded trauma care. The violence isn’t over, but your support has meant that the church in the region can continue to be salt and light. The resilience of Christians in sub-Saharan Africa is a miracle, and we are so grateful that you have helped foster that.