Burkina Faso

In February 2023, jihadists burned and destroyed Pastor Laurent’s church in eastern Burkina Faso. Then, in March 2023, jihadists abducted Pastor Laurent when he traveled to attend a regional pastors’ meeting. As the kidnappers forced him into the bush, he sent one text to his family, who haven’t heard from him since.

In April 2020, 13 churches in southern Burkina Faso were attacked and severely damaged or destroyed by followers of traditional religions. Many of the communities, including the village of Obire, have been planning to rebuild. On February 27, 2023, armed bandits attacked Obire again, killing three people.

Christians have been a primary target of Islamists in Burkina Faso since April 2019 when approximately 70 Christians were killed and five churches attacked. In 2022, Islamist activity increased in the southwestern part of the country, resulting in numerous destroyed churches and the murder of several pastors.

On the day after Christmas in 2022, suspected Islamic militants attacked a Christian family in the village of Obire in Burkina Faso. The attackers shot into the house, killing four young people inside and injuring two others.

Assetou became a Christian while training to become a hairdresser. When she completed her training, she returned home, and her parents, who practice an animistic, traditional religion, were unhappy with her new faith.

Simon became a Christian after receiving an audio Bible and listening to God’s Word. He was raised in a family that practices a form of fetish worship common in Burkina Faso. As the eldest son in his family, Simon was expected to lead the burial ceremony following the recent death of his father.

Christians in the village of Obiri seek to rebuild their church after it was destroyed in a recent attack. Religious extremists tore down the church walls, ruined a generator and sound equipment and burned 400 Bibles.

Pastor Pierre led a church in northern Burkina Faso until 2019 when jihadists attacked his village. When the attackers entered his village and began shooting, Pastor Pierre was warned that “the terrorists are coming to kill you; you have to leave.”