eritreans_92203

Posted: 9/19/03

Eritrean Baptists seek help for
countrymen facing persecution

By Ken Camp

Texas Baptist Communications

A group of Eritrean Christians throughout the United States and Canada, including Texas Baptists originally from the East African nation, are soliciting money, public policy advocacy and prayers for persecuted Protestants in their homeland.

Christians in Eritrea “are afraid to talk. Even on the telephone, they are afraid. They have no freedom to talk. But they can send e-mail sometimes, and they tell us, 'We are afraid for our lives,'” said a Texas Baptist Eritrean church leader.

In May 2002, the Eritrean government ordered closed all Christian churches other than the officially recognized Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical Lutheran parishes. According to an Amnesty International report, “This was done without any public announcement or legal basis.”

About 20,000 evangelical Christians from non-recognized churches have been denied legal status since that time. More than 200 have been imprisoned, and many have been threatened with death. They include 79 soldiers who have been held in a military prison more than 17 months.

In a sweeping government crackdown, about 170 Protestants were jailed and beaten in February and March 2003.

More recently, Compass Direct news service reported 62 teenagers were jailed Aug. 19-20 for possessing Bibles at a military training camp. After a week of imprisonment in metal shipping crates, five of the teens recanted their evangelical faith and expressed renewed allegiance to the Orthodox Church, but 57 continued to be held.

Many who have been detained without trial for months at a time are the wage earners for their families. Eritrean Christians in North America are raising money in an effort to help them, as well as pastors who have lost their source of income in the last year and a half.

“There are practically no tithes or offerings for the pastors, since the churches cannot meet publicly,” an Eritrean Texas Baptist said. “But some of these same pastors have taken children into their homes–children whose parents have been killed or put in prison. They say God will provide.”

While large shipments of supplies or wire transfers of money may be confiscated by governmental officials, the Eritrean Texas Baptists said they are free to deliver monetary “gifts” personally to friends and relatives in their homeland.

The Baptist General Convention of Texas has established anEritrean Support Fund to help Texas Baptist Eritrean churches collect money for families in need.

Checks designated “Eritrea” and made payable to “Baptist Executive Board” may be sent to the BGCT treasurer's office, 333 N. Washington, Dallas 75246-1798.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Texas Baptists to show our concern for Christians around the world who suffer for their faith,” said Patty Lane, director of the BGCT office of intercultural initiatives. “We talk all the time about caring for Christians suffering around the world. Here's a concrete way to help Christians who are suffering for their faith.”

In addition to raising money for needy families, the Eritrean Christians in the United States also are seeking to raise awareness among Americans about persecution in Eritrea.

“America has influence. If American leaders would put pressure on the Eritrean government, that can help,” a Texas Baptist Eritrean said. He encouraged Christians to contact elected officials in Congress, registering concern for the plight of persecuted Protestants.

Especially, the Eritrean Christians in North America are encouraging other believers to join them in prayer for the persecuted church.

“God can do what seems impossible to us. Prayer changes things,” a Texas Baptist Eritrean pastor said. “We know God hears the prayers of his children.”