{"id":56827,"date":"2025-12-16T14:00:15","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T05:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/?p=56827"},"modified":"2025-12-16T14:26:53","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T05:26:53","slug":"vomk-report-378","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/2025\/12\/16\/vomk-report-378\/","title":{"rendered":"BENIN: PASTORS WIN EIGHT-MONTH SPIRITUAL BATTLE OVER VOODOO-CONTROLLED OFFICIALS"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”56830″ img_size=”full” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”According to Voice of the Martyrs Korea, voodoo-controlled authorities in Benin seeking to close local churches waged an eight-month spiritual battle against church leaders working to proclaim the gospel. Despite the pastors spending time in prison, Voice of the Martyrs Korea Representative Dr. Hyun Sook Foley says Christians in that small country bordering western Nigeria are celebrating a spiritual victory. ” 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=””]\u201c<\/span>Christians today are familiar with persecution from governments or from religions like Islam, but in Benin, the source of persecution is voodoo,\u201d says Representative Foley.\u00a0<\/span>She says that ethnic religions like voodoo are practiced by about 40% of the\u00a0<\/span>14 million people<\/span>\u00a0in Benin and that the country\u2019s current president, Patrice Talon, is a voodooist and promoter of the religion.\u00a0<\/span>\u201cBenin is the birthplace of voodoo. Practitioners of voodoo intentionally become demonically\u00a0<\/span>possessed<\/span>\u00a0and offer sacrifices to spirits they know to be evil.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Representative Foley says that the result is that Christians in Benin face constant spiritual warfare from voodooists, many of whom are in positions of power in the local tribes and governments.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Representative Foley says that the most recent spiritual battle began in the western Benin city of\u00a0<\/span>Savalou<\/span>\u00a0on Christmas Eve 2023, when without warning authorities began arresting pastors.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Pastor Victor Adamou\u00a0<\/span>told Voice of the Martyrs\u00a0<\/span>that\u00a0<\/span>authorities<\/span>\u00a0arrested\u00a0<\/span>his\u00a0<\/span>assistant pastor<\/span>\u00a0that night<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0while Pastor Adamou was preaching elsewhere. The authorities charged\u00a0<\/span>the church\u00a0<\/span>with\u00a0<\/span>violating a noise ordinance.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The next day,\u00a0<\/span>Pastor Adamou\u00a0<\/span>was summoned to the police station, where he was forced to pay a large fine in exchange for the release of the assistant pastor.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”56840″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Across town, police targeted another pastor for allegedly<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>violating the same noise ordinance. The authorities<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>confiscated musical instruments and imposed a large fine on<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>that church.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Then o<\/span>n Feb<\/span>ruary<\/span>\u00a012, 2024, police returned to\u00a0<\/span>Pastor Adamou\u2019s church.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]\u201cThey said that when we were praising\u00a0God, we clapped too much and we sang too loud,\u201d\u00a0Pastor Adamou told Voice of the Martyrs. Police\u00a0ordered\u00a0Pastor Adamou\u00a0and some church members to load\u00a0the church\u2019s musical instruments into the police vehicle.\u00a0But Pastor Adamou refused.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe use the drums to glorify God,\u201d Pastor Adamou told the police.\u00a0\u201cYou are the\u00a0policemen\u00a0that want to take away drums. You should\u00a0come and take\u00a0them\u00a0yourself. The Lord is the witness that you are the ones accusing us and you are the ones that took away God\u2019s drums.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”56832″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”Christian leaders in Savalou, Benin celebrate their eight-month spiritual victory over voodooist persecution.” 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=””]Police\u00a0<\/span>forced a man walking by the church to pack up the instruments and load them in their vehicle. Then they ordered\u00a0<\/span>Pastor Adamou\u00a0<\/span>to go to the police station<\/span>, where\u00a0<\/span>he was\u00a0<\/span>immediately<\/span>\u00a0arrested and locked in a cell, where he fasted and prayed for three days.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]\u201c<\/span>I knew in my heart that this was part of the sacrifice we were<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>trying to make for the Lord,\u201d he\u00a0<\/span>told Voice of the Martyrs.<\/span>\u00a0\u201cI was praying for the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Lord to manifest his grace.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Pastor Adamou\u00a0<\/span>was released after three days. But many church members, fearing their own\u00a0<\/span>possible arrests<\/span>, stopped attending worship services.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]\u201c<\/span>The voodoo community is very active in\u00a0<\/span>Savalou<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>It is common to see parades of voodooists walking down the street in special<\/span>\u00a0clothes<\/span>, often with someone wearing a devil costume, on their way to\u00a0<\/span>\u2018<\/span>curse<\/span>\u2019<\/span>\u00a0someone. And in front of homes across the city are small altars on which voodooists ritually slaughter animals with the hope of appeasing local spirits.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]In 2023, pastors<\/span>\u00a0told Voice of the Martyrs<\/span>, a new church began worshiping next to a voodoo leader\u2019s home.\u00a0<\/span>A short time<\/span>\u00a0later, the voodooist lost his ability to tell fortunes using witchcraft, so in his anger he began throwing rocks at the church during services.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]\u201c<\/span>The pastors believe that he and other voodooists<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>with homes near churches didn\u2019t like having Christians as<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>neighbors<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>They think the voodooists<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>complained to city<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>officials, who also were voodooists, prompting the crackdown<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>on pastors and churches.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”56835″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”In Benin, voodooists parade through the streets wearing costumes meant to represent spirits, which are believed to control nature and human affairs. ” 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=””]By late February 2024, four pastors<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>had been arrested and forced to pay fines<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>up to a quarter of their annual salaries.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Pastor Jules Sanni<\/span>, t<\/span>he president of\u00a0<\/span>the area\u00a0<\/span>church association<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>wr<\/span>o<\/span>te a letter to the town\u2019s chief<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>prosecutor, protesting the unjust arrests<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and fines. In response, police arrested the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>association president and detained him in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>jail for eight days.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Arrests of church leaders continued throughout the summer. Then o<\/span>n Aug<\/span>ust\u00a0<\/span>21, police showed up at a church<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>where Assistant Pastor Marc\u00a0<\/span>Djosso<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>preaching and\u00a0<\/span>Mrs.\u00a0<\/span>Thalia Yacoubou was<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>translating the French sermon into the local<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Mahi language.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The church had already been fined<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and was no longer using microphones or<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>musical instruments. Nevertheless, the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>police took\u00a0<\/span>Pastor Marc\u00a0<\/span>Djosso<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Mrs. Thalia Yacoubou\u00a0<\/span>directly to jail.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]The police locked\u00a0<\/span>the two in cramped cells. Four days later, they were joined\u00a0<\/span>by\u00a0<\/span>the<\/span>\u00a0s<\/span>enior\u00a0<\/span>pastor, who had been arrested because he was the responsible<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>church authority.\u00a0<\/span>The three spent nine days in jail, witnessing to the other prisoners and leading one to Christ.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Church leaders told Voice of the Martyrs that they believe it was after those events that spiritual victory came.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”56834″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”Pastor Jules Sanni is president of a Savalou church association that represents over 100 local churches.” 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=””]\u201cC<\/span>hurch leaders\u00a0<\/span>credit\u00a0<\/span>the prayers of Beninese<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Christians and other Christians around the world\u00a0<\/span>for the changes\u00a0<\/span>in\u00a0<\/span>Savalou<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>By late 2024,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the voodooists behind the arrests had been removed from<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>office. The city\u2019s mayor was sent to prison for involvement in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>a mysterious death, the chief prosecutor was\u00a0<\/span>demoted<\/span>\u00a0and the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>chief of police was forced into early retirement.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Church leaders told Voice of the Martyrs that\u00a0Savalou\u2019s\u00a0new authorities have\u00a0indicated\u00a0a willingness to\u00a0work with the town\u2019s pastors and treat the churches fairly.\u00a0But the\u00a0churches\u2019\u00a0seized instruments and sound equipment\u00a0have yet to be returned, and none of the fines have been\u00a0reimbursed. Some churches, in fact, expect to pay\u00a0additional\u00a0legal fees when their cases go to trial.\u00a0While church attendance is still lower than before the\u00a0arrests, local Christians are returning to Sunday services.\u00a0Still, some<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>church members are fearful and worry about being arrested.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]\u201c<\/span>Several church leaders requested prayer for boldness and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>that their voodooist neighbors will come to know Christ<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley. \u201cThey say their dream is that\u00a0<\/span>more<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>people will reject the darkness of voodooism and walk in God\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>light.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]T<\/span>he\u00a0<\/span>church leaders told Voice of the Martyrs\u00a0<\/span>they are<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>determined to continue sharing the gospel, no matter the cost.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]\u201cWe are used to it already, accustomed to them coming to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>attack the church,\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Mrs. Yacoubou said.<\/span>\u00a0\u201cIf they want to come, let them<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>come. If it is because of\u00a0<\/span>Jesus<\/span>\u00a0they take us to jail, we are fine<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>because the Lord that delivered Daniel in ancient days \u2026 is still<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the same, and he can deliver us.\u201d<\/span><\/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=”56830″ img_size=”full” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”According to Voice of the Martyrs Korea, voodoo-controlled authorities in Benin seeking to close local churches waged an eight-month spiritual battle against church leaders working to …","protected":false},"author":659,"featured_media":56829,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[140],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-56827","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\/56827","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=56827"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56827\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56846,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56827\/revisions\/56846"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56829"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56827"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56827"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56827"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}