KOREAN CHRISTIANS SEEK TO AID CAMEROON PASTORS’ FAMILIES AND CHURCHES ATTACKED BY BOKO HARAM
An assault on Christians by Boko Haram militants in the Cameroon/Nigeria border town of Tourou in late January left several pastors and their families homeless and the local community shaken. Voice of the Martyrs Korea is participating in an effort to resettle the families and restore area churches.
“Tourou has a large Christian population,”
says Voice of the Martyrs Korea board chair Dr. Hyun Sook Foley.
“On the night of January 17th, 2019, Boko Haram targeted Reverend Fanava James and three other pastors in this city, and the largest church in the city. Some church members remain missing even now, but the pastors and their families managed to escape to the mountains during the three-hour assault. One pastor, Rhamba Victor, reported that Boko Haram arrived at his church, seized all their property, told them to leave their house, and set it on fire.”
“In 1 Corinthians 12:26, Paul says that the whole church is one body and when one part of that body suffers we all suffer. Cameroon is presently suffering,”
representative Foley added.
“That means we Korean Christians are suffering, too. One day it may be the Cameroon church who comes to our aid. Today, however, we have the opportunity to help them.”
The total budget to resettle the pastors and restore the churches and community buildings is $16,475 USD. VOM Korea and its sister VOM organizations around the world have so far raised $9,939. Foley says VOM Korea is seeking to raise the remaining $6,536.
“Boko Haram often targets pastors and their families, believing that if the pastor of a church is killed, the church will close down,”
representative Foley explains.
“Due to the town’s proximity to the border, there is a high likelihood that Boko Haram will attack again, and when they do, these pastors and their families will be in danger. Because of this, we are raising funds to place these pastors and churches and community buildings in more secure locations and to care for the pastoral families who were attacked.”
Anyone wishing to support the project can do so through Voice of the Martyrs website at https://vomkorea.com/en/donation/. Money can also be sent by wire transfer to:
국민은행 463501-01-243303
예금주: (사)순교자의소리
Persons wishing to donate through wire transfer should add their name and the word “Cameroon” to ensure the funds are directed to this project.