In response to incessant attacks by armed Fulani militants, thousands of Christians representing many church denominations gathered for a prayer rally in Jos, Nigeria, this week.
The “Solemn Assembly” prayer gathering Wednesday in the Rwang Pam Township Stadium. The rally was convened by heads of churches and the Plateau State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria. Tens of thousands of Christians have been killed and many more displaced and driven from their lands and villages by Fulani militants for the last 20 years.
Reverend Amos Mozoh, president of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), gave a historical background of how Western missionaries brought the gospel to the region. Rev. Dr. Stephen Panya, president of Evangelical Church Winning All, reinforced the importance of Christianity in the Middle Belt and warned that “God is angry when other people try to displace them from their ancestral lands.” He added that Jos “stands as a fortress against being overrun by enemies of the cross.”
Other church leaders led prayer sessions for peace and security, evangelism, peaceful political transition ahead of the general elections in 2023, and the prosperity of Nigeria. The gathering was attended by the Plateau State governor, his deputy, and the speaker of the State Legislature.