{"id":54771,"date":"2025-07-08T14:00:55","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T05:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/?p=54771"},"modified":"2025-07-08T14:09:18","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T05:09:18","slug":"vomk-report-356","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/2025\/07\/08\/vomk-report-356\/","title":{"rendered":"BURKINA FASO: NEW PROJECT HELPS REFUGEE PASTORS SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES AND CHURCHES AS JIHADIST ATTACKS WORSEN"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”54770″ img_size=”full” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”According to United Nations estimates, as much as 10 percent of Burkina Faso\u2019s population has been displaced by Islamic Jihadist attacks in the country\u2019s northern region. According to Voice of the Martyrs Korea, Christians are a particular target of the Jihadists, and pastors in the affected areas are working hard to keep their congregations safe, keep their families together, and keep serving the Lord, even as they are forced to become refugees themselves. A new project from Voice of the Martyrs Korea and Voice of the Martyrs Poland is helping ten pastors achieve those goals. ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:1.2em|text_align:left|color:%23111111″ google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css=”” el_class=”headline”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Pastors in Burkina Faso <\/span>are responsible for the safety of the whole Christian community in their village,\u201d says Voice of the Martyrs Representative Dr<\/span>.<\/span> Hyun Sook Foley. \u201c<\/span>When the Jihadists move into an area, they <\/span>don\u2019t<\/span> only kill the <\/span>pastors. They <\/span>know it can be even more effective to <\/span>target <\/span>everyone associated with the pastors, because this creates fear on the part of Christians and guilt on the part of pastors. Most pastors live with their extended families, which are <\/span>very large<\/span>. And pastors are always helping the members of their church to find work and support their families, so many church members are often around the pastor. <\/span>So<\/span> every pastor knows that by staying where they are, they put many Christians\u2014including their own wives and children\u2014in danger.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]She says this is why many pastors in the most dangerous regions move with their families and sometimes their congregation members to nearby \u201csafe towns\u201d\u2014areas outside of the control of the Jihadists. But according to Representative Foley, this raises <\/span>new problems<\/span>. \u201cWhen a pastor and his family and some congregation members move, they typically are escaping at night. They <\/span>have to<\/span> leave everything behind,\u201d she says. \u201cWhen they get to a \u2018safe town<\/span>\u2019,<\/span> they have no way of supporting themselves.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Representative Foley says this is why Voice of the Martyrs Korea partnered with its sister mission, Voice of the Martyrs Poland, to <\/span>help ten pastors and their families re-establish themselves economically in the \u2018safe towns\u2019 to which they fled.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”54775″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]According to Representative Foley, the pastors have had to flee from their villages, but none of them want to give up their ministries.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\u201cThese pastors aren\u2019t just looking for ways to support their families,\u201d she says. \u201cThey are looking for ways to continue their churches. That means they are looking for economic opportunities that can help support the members of their churches who have also had to flee. <\/span>So<\/span> they are interested in starting businesses that can provide jobs for other believers.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Representative Foley says this is why Voice of the Martyrs Korea and Voice of the Martyrs Poland work closely with local Christian leaders in Burkina Faso.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\u201cThe goal was to help re-establish these pastors economically for the long term, not just to provide <\/span>them<\/span> aid like they would receive in a refugee camp,\u201d she says. \u201cWe realize that helping these pastors get re-established quickly and well is the key to helping the church in Burkina Faso to remain strong for the future, in a situation where more than 10 percent of the country\u2019s population has been displaced. <\/span>We wanted to <\/span>do that in a way that was integrated with the body of Christ overall in Burkina Faso. <\/span>So<\/span> we supported the plan of local Christian leaders rather than bringing in our own strategy.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]According to Representative Foley, the project outcomes exceeded her own expectations.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\u201cAt Voice of the Martyrs Korea, there are two things we always want to see: First, we always want to see the families of persecuted believers staying together. <\/span>We don\u2019t want to see pastors moving their families somewhere safe but then living separately from them in order to continue their ministry.<\/span> We believe that biblically a pastor\u2019s first and most important ministry is always to his own family. Second, we want to see pastors continuing their ministries as close as possible to the area they <\/span>were serving<\/span> before. We <\/span>don\u2019t<\/span> want to move pastors out of their countries, because their countries need a faithful witness to Christ, and their church members need to see pastors modeling a biblical response to persecution. This project <\/span>accomplished<\/span> both those things well.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Representative Foley provided testimonies of <\/span>three<\/span> of the pastors who received help through the project:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”54766″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”Pastor A working at his tailor shop in a \u201csafe town.\u201d ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230a0101|line_height:1.45em” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Pastor A: \u201c<\/span><\/span>I became a pastor in 2000<\/span>. Since <\/span>that <\/span>time<\/span> I have been serving the Lord. In 2024, I received the threat from the terrorist groups that they would kill me for my ministry. One of my family members had already been killed while he tried to feed the animals. The animals were taken away by terrorists. Knowing that these are not jokes, after discussion with other believers and prayers, I decided to run with my family (12 people that <\/span>I\u2019m<\/span> taking care of) to the <\/span>so-called <\/span>safe town.<\/span>\u2019<\/span> At that <\/span>time<\/span> our home village was attacked multiple times. We used the <\/span>opportunity<\/span> and we<\/span> ran away as a group<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>Today, I want to express my gratitude to all of you who help me and my family. <\/span>Thank you, thank<\/span> you, thank you. I used to be a tailor in the past, but I lost everything. Thanks to your help, I could open a small sewing shop, with <\/span>the machines<\/span>, iron etc., so I can work. Being here and hav<\/span>ing the<\/span> possibility to<\/span> work changed our <\/span>life<\/span>. Slowly, slowly the work is growing<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>I am also serving in the local church, helping here to preach God\u2019s Word during the services. <\/span>Thanks<\/span> for what you have done for us. May God give us <\/span>peace,<\/span> may God bless you and give peace to you.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”54762″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”Pastor M feeds chickens he is raising to support his ministry.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230a0101|line_height:1.45em” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Pastor M: <\/span><\/span>Pastor M became a pastor in 2011. In September 2023, there was an attack in his village, and around 20 people were killed. Together with his family (4 adults, 5 children), he had to flee. They did not have carts with donkeys or <\/span>trucks, since<\/span> everything had <\/span>destroyed<\/span> or taken away. Many villagers were evacuated by military planes that came to rescue them. As a result, they could not take anything with them. Pastor Marius said: \u201cI want to continue my ministry here [in the <\/span>\u2018<\/span>safe town\u2019], where we are now. There are so many lost souls; they need to hear the <\/span>g<\/span>ospel.\u201d After receiving support, he said, \u201cThank you from my heart. You really <\/span>made<\/span> a huge thing for us. I could build a hen house and another small building. I have already some hens, we feed them, they grow, and I believe God will bless this work. And you did not forget us.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”54764″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”Pastor O and his wife with emergency aid they received through the Voice of the Martyrs project. ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230a0101|line_height:1.45em” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Pastor O: <\/span><\/b>Pastor O is married. He is responsible for his close family members, 23 adults and 5 children in total. Pastor O became an assistant pastor in October 2005. In 2022, two of his male family members went to the hospital to get medical help. However, the hospital was attacked and they were killed. Attacks were<\/span><\/p>\n

getting more frequent and violent. It was impossible to work in the field to grow food. Jihadists blocked the roads. The pastor and the people under his care decided that, when possible, they would move to the nearest \u201csafe town\u201d where one of the family members owned a plot of land. They managed to escape there, but they had to leave behind all of their belongings. Pastor O wanted to start a poultry farm. He continues his ministry to the Lord, but he says: \u201cWe have to be very careful; even here, in the so called \u2018safe town,\u2019 we have to be cautious, as terrorists can be everywhere.\u201d He adds: \u201cI thank God for the help I have received. We started growing pigs, sheep, and even chicken. It really encourages us. We thank you and we thank God.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Representative Foley says Voice of the Martyrs Korea and Voice of the Martyrs Poland are working with local Christian leaders to continue the project with other pastors over the next twelve months. <\/span>Individuals interested in supporting Voice of the Martyrs Korea\u2019s work with Christians in Burkina Faso can give at <\/span>https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/donate\/<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”54770″ img_size=”full” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”According to United Nations estimates, as much as 10 percent of Burkina Faso\u2019s population has been displaced by Islamic Jihadist attacks in the country\u2019s northern region. …","protected":false},"author":659,"featured_media":54769,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[140],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-54771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vomk-report"],"translation":{"provider":"WPGlobus","version":"3.0.2","language":"en","enabled_languages":["ko","en","zh","ru"],"languages":{"ko":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"en":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"zh":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"ru":{"title":false,"content":false,"excerpt":false}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/659"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54771"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54771\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54779,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54771\/revisions\/54779"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/54769"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}