Pastor David Omongole. Photo | Courtesy.
Media reports estimate that the number of Christians being persecuted for their faith worldwide in 2019 stands at 245 million, up 30 million from last year.
Christians in Uganda were on Thursday challenged to do what they can to help fight persecution and strengthen their brothers and sisters prayerfully.
“When the church is persecuted in any part of the world, it is your responsibility as a child of God to recognize that a part of the body you belong to has been attacked,” Pastor David Omongole, the founder and President of Agapao International Ministries said.
Many Christians are not aware of the state of Christian persecution around the world. Some are surprised to know that believers are being insulted, isolated, humiliated, discriminated, arrested, beaten, tortured, burned, or killed for their faith.
“Many of us are in countries where it is totally unimaginable that someone would even have the slightest thought of bombing us whilst we fellowship. But let us not forget that we are in such peace because someone prayed for us. It is your turn to do it for another person,” Pastor David said.
A case in point, the pastor highlighted the Sri Lanka Easter Sunday attack whose death toll has now risen to 359, with 500 injured.
The country has observed a national day of mourning and imposed a state of emergency, after suicide bombers struck at three churches and hotels on Easter Sunday. Most of the casualties were Sri Lankan citizens. A fourth attack on a hotel was averted.
According to local press, 14 young children were among those killed at Zion Evangelical Church, which was targeted by the bombers. The town is covered with posters of the Sunday School children who died in the blast.
“Take time to pray for the church in Sri Lanka today. Pray that none of them will waver in their faith and that they come through with more influence upon that country,” Pastor David said, quoting Esther 4:13-14.
