Stand in the Gap for the Persecuted

Nigeria was rightly designated one year ago a “country of particular concern” (CPC) by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for its engagement in or tolerance of “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”

But the country’s just been removed from that list without explanation, according to a watchdog group:

News of Nigeria’s removal from the CPC list has met with widespread condemnation, including from USCIRF, whose Chair Nadine Maenza said in a statement: “While the State Department took steps forward on some designations, USCIRF is especially displeased with the removal of Nigeria from its CPC designation, where it was rightfully placed last year.” …

The failure to re-designate Nigeria comes amidst ongoing, egregious religion-related violence by terrorists in the northeast, by assailants of Fulani origin in central states, and ongoing historical violations targeting Christian communities in the country’s Shari’a states.

This U.S. action seems totally unjustified.

In truth, Nigeria’s Christians need you now more than ever!

You can stand in the gap for believers there and elsewhere who live under the threat of violence, torture, abduction, rape or death because of their faith.

Your compassionate gift today to Liberty Relief International—of 50, 100, 200 dollars or more—will help provide for the basic needs of Christian brothers and sisters and their families—emergency aid like food, water, shelter and safety.

Our partners on the ground in hostile places like Nigeria, the Middle East and beyond also offer:

• Trauma counseling, literacy training and job training.
• Help in rebuilding churches and homes destroyed in attacks.
• Bibles and study materials, plus discipleship training for new believers.
• And more.

Your contribution to LRI will help meet the urgent needs of persecuted believers and others suffering cruelty, brutality and heartache.

It’s an honor to stand in the gap alongside you for the sake of persecuted Christians! Thank you for your prayers and generosity.

Mat Staver