I am shocked and saddened to have to update you on another deadly attack on Christians—IN CHURCH—in Burkina Faso. Please read the following report and respond with prayer and, if possible, a donation to help persecuted believers in Burkina Faso and beyond. -Mat

I recently shared that I believe we are about to see more need than ever before as violent persecution of Christians is on the rise throughout northern Africa, Asia, India and the Middle East.

Today, I am deeply saddened to share about yet another deadly attack on our fellow Christians in Burkina Faso in west Africa. Our partners who work inside these troubled nations frequently update us on news that never makes headlines.

They tell us that eight heavily armed gunmen stormed the town of Toulfe on four motorcycles on Sunday, May 26, at about 9 a.m. They invaded the community's church and opened fire on worshipers inside, killing three instantly and a fourth dying later from critical injuries suffered in the attack. This latest murderous attack is the fourth in as many weeks...

• On April 28 at a small Assemblies of God church in Sirgadji, Burkina Faso, five congregants and their 80-year old pastor were given the choice to deny Jesus and convert to Islam—or die. One by one they were mercilessly shot and killed for their faith by a gang of Islamic militants.
• On May 12, gunmen on motorcycles stormed a Catholic church in Dablo, Burkina Faso, during mass and brutally shot down the priest and six congregants.
• On May 13, gunmen killed four Catholics who were participating in a religious procession in northern Burkina Faso.

The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project shared, "Reported fatalities from attacks targeting civilians have risen by 300 percent in Mali, 500 percent in Niger, and a staggering 7,000 percent in Burkina Faso compared to the same period last year."

Thousands of Christians are fleeing Burkina Faso and are desperate to find safety and refuge further south. For those who remain, schools and churches are closing as Christians hide in fear.

The body of Christ stands at the threshold of what may be the world's next large-scale humanitarian crisis in these regions and we must be prepared.

Liberty Relief International is committed to helping persecuted Christians and others suffering under oppression and brutality around the world—an outreach made possible thanks to the compassionate generosity of friends like you.

Will you please help us care for fellow believers who are being targeted for their faith today? Your tax-deductible gift will enable us to send urgently needed aid to Christians in Burkina Faso and other regions who are most at risk from violence, torture, kidnapping, rape or even death.

Your gift of 50, 100, 500 dollars or more today will be used to minister to the needs of persecuted Christians and others in unbelievably desperate situations.

Your support helps us provide for immediate humanitarian needs as well as things like...

• Emergency food and water, safe houses, trauma counseling, literacy training and job training
• Restoration assistance to rebuild churches and homes
• Bibles, Bible study materials, and discipleship training

You and I will likely never meet these precious believers this side of Heaven—but if we are able to help, we must. Just as the Apostle Paul admonished, "...the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it..." (1 Cor 12:25-26).

Thank you for standing with LRI to pray for and care for our hurting brethen throughout the Middle East, northern Africa, Asia and the world.

Please remember to pray for our Christian family in Burkina Faso.

God bless you,

Mat

P.S. You can help LRI minister to the urgent needs of persecuted Christians and others in unbelievably desperate situations with your generous gift today.